Kinlochleven – a Via Ferrata Up the Grey Mare's Tail
A few hours.
The route
A via ferrata is a climbing route fitted with metal rungs and a steel safety cable, so you can go somewhere high with no climbing experience at all.
Vertical Descents' route climbs beside the Grey Mare's Tail, the 80-metre waterfall above Kinlochleven, and crosses its top on wire sky bridges before a walk back down. It suits anyone from eight up with a head for heights.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Woodlands Glencoe, 9 miles away. Sleeps 2.
Book Via ferrata with Vertical Descents, Kinlochleven
Book the via ferrata with Vertical Descents, Kinlochleven online before you go, from the start of April to the end of September: £78.75 for adults and £68.25 for under-18s at the time of writing, ages 8 and over, at least two people in a booking (solo bookings may be cancelled).
The day
Kinlochleven
Metal rungs and a safety cable up the rock beside a waterfall, wire bridges across its top, and a walk back down the hill to the village.
About three and a half hours
Vertical Descents, Kinlochleven
Vertical Descents meets its via ferrata groups in Kinlochleven, at its centre in Unit 3 of the business park, with indoor changing rooms and toilets but no showers. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. The guides kit you out with a harness and helmet and talk you through the safety first. Then you climb metal rungs up the side of the Grey Mare's Tail, clipped to a cable the whole way, and cross the top of the falls on wire sky bridges. A path brings you back down. The trip takes three hours and costs £78.75 for adults and £68.25 for under-18s at the time of writing, with at least two people in a booking. It's for ages 8 and over, and under-18s come with an adult. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a waterproof if rain is forecast, plus water and a snack. If you're over 100 kg, put your weight in the booking notes. Vertical Descents opens from the start of April to the end of September, and cancels only when the weather is unsafe, with another slot or a refund. Dogs can't come on the trip; ask in advance whether one can wait at the centre. Kinlochleven has places to eat, a Co-op and public toilets for afterwards.
If it rains
The route runs in rain, which makes the waterfall bigger: bring a waterproof jacket and trousers. Vertical Descents cancels only when the weather is unsafe, and then offers another slot or a refund.
Where to stay
Photograph by Neil Marshall via Google