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Walk to An Steall Falls via Nevis Gorge from Glen Nevis Upper Falls Car Park

By Dave Roberts   

on December 12, 2020    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Fort William and Lochaber, Scotland

Walk to An Steall Falls via Nevis Gorge from Glen Nevis Upper Falls Car Park

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Easy walk to the second highest waterfall in Scotland.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

3.5km

Ascent

200

Time

1 hour

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Glen Nevis Upper Falls Car Park

Difficulty

Easy Moderate Walk

Hazards

The going can be slippery in places with drops towards the gorge. If you’re going to tackle the wire bridge then getting soaked is a serious risk! Those looking to explore higher up the glen can find the going boggy.

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk to An Steall Falls via Nevis Gorge from Glen Nevis Upper Falls Car Park Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

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Walk to An Steall Falls via Nevis Gorge from Glen Nevis Upper Falls Car Park

While it is usually Ben Nevis that dominates any mentions of walking around Fort William and Glen Nevis, the An Steall Bàn – Steall Falls come a close second. They are also the second tallest single fall waterfalls in the UK with a drop of 120m. It is also a popular spot for Harry Potter fans, as it featured in the movies and referred to as the “Harry Potter Waterfalls” online. You’ll need a car to reach the start of the walk, or alternatively you can start the walk from the Lower Falls car park which has a seasonal bus service. Otherwise, it’s a 25km round trip by foot to get to the start of the walk!!

The route to An Steall Ban / Steall falls sets off via the impressive Nevis Gorge, an area managed by the John Muir Society. The route can be rough in places but has seen improvements such as walkways and bridges in recent years. However, care is still needed on sections – especially if it’s wet or icy.

It comes as a bit of a surprise when you leave the Nevis Gorge and find yourself in a wide meadow, with the Steall Falls dominating the view ahead. Continuing on to the notorious wire bridge where finally, you’ll have a good view of the Steall Falls where the Allt Coire a’ Mhàil flows from the slopes of the Mamores to fall 120m to join the Water of Nevis. The perfect spot to admire both the Steall Falls as well as looking back towards Ben Nevis and the brave souls who dare cross the wire bridge.

You can finish your walk here if you wish, or you can choose to try your hand at crossing the wire bridge. You can also extend the days’ walking by continuing up Glen Nevis, with the path taking you towards either Corrour or Spean Bridge – both lengthy walks. You can instead walk just a few kilometres further up the glen if you want to find some solitude. This spot, over the wire bridge is also the start of the classic Mamores scrambling route – The Ring of Steall – or the little used East ridge route up the CMD Arete.

 

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Easy walk to the second highest waterfall in Scotland.

Route Start Location: Glen Nevis Upper Falls Car Park

Distance
Ascent
Time
3.5km 200 1 hour

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Easy Moderate Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

None – you’ll need to visit Fort William.

Hazards

The going can be slippery in places with drops towards the gorge. If you’re going to tackle the wire bridge then getting soaked is a serious risk! Those looking to explore higher up the glen can find the going boggy.

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Upper Falls Car Park, or at the Lower Falls car park for a longer walk.

Public Transport:

None to the Upper Falls Car Park, but a seasonal service has run to the Lower Falls car park pre-COVID (visit Shiel Buses Website for more information on the N42 bus route).

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

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