Fort William

Steall Falls

A rough path through the Nevis Gorge to a meadow under Steall Falls, among the highest in Scotland.

Welcome

The walk to Steall Falls is one of the best short walks in Scotland.

It starts at the car park at the very end of the road up Glen Nevis, where a great water slide pours down off Ben Nevis, and heads at once into woodland and up through the Nevis Gorge, on a path cared for by the John Muir Trust.

The path is rough and rocky, with steep drops, cut round a ledge in one place and helped by steps and a handrail in another, while the river crashes over huge boulders below. Then the trees fall away, the glen opens into a flat meadow of wild flowers under steep wooded mountainsides, and there ahead are the falls, the third highest in Scotland, dropping 105 metres down the rock, tremendous in spate. A branch path leads to the famous wire bridge over the river, three cables, one for the feet and two for the hands, to be crossed with great care. It is about 3.5 kilometres there and back, one and a half to two hours.

Before you go

Open at any time and free.

Park at the end of the road up Glen Nevis; a bus runs from May to September as far as the Lower Falls bridge. About 3.5km and 1.5 to 2 hours there and back, on a rough, rocky path with steep drops; wear good boots.

Getting there: The car park at the end of the Glen Nevis road.
Walk: 3.5km, 1.5 to 2 hours.
Going: Rough and rocky, with steep drops.

Did you know

Steall Falls from the air, the waterfall dropping to the meadow of upper Glen Nevis where the river loops past a small white hut.

Did you know

The falls drop 105 metres.

That makes Steall the third highest waterfall in Scotland, and it is at its finest after heavy rain.

The wooded Nevis Gorge opening onto the flat meadow of upper Glen Nevis.

Did you know

The bridge is three wires.

To cross the river you hold the top two and balance your feet on the third. It is for the brave, and it needs great care.

The path across the meadow of upper Glen Nevis leading towards Steall Falls.

Did you know

The path is cut out of the rock.

Through the Nevis Gorge the way runs along a wide ledge above the river. The John Muir Trust keeps the path up.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Lochaber

This is one of our favourite short walks. From the car park at the very end of the Glen Nevis road, a rough path climbs through the Nevis Gorge, with the river crashing over boulders far beneath you. Then the trees part, the glen opens into a flat meadow, and there is An Steall Bàn, the white spout, falling about 120 metres down the rock. A wire bridge of three cables crosses the river for the brave. Wear proper boots, take care on the exposed sections, and allow around two hours there and back.