I
f you’re looking for outdoor adventure
in a land of vast, open waters, sweeping
skies and colossal mountains, then
Lochaber should be on your radar.
With an impressive range of adventurous
activities — be they high-octane pursuits,
slow reconnections with nature or
fun experiences for the whole family
— this clean, green region nestled in the
West of the Scottish Highlands is worthy of
its moniker as the outdoor capital of the UK.
The historic waterfront town of Fort
William is the beating heart of Lochaber,
acting as the central compass point for some
of the area’s most enticing destinations, from
the 8 0-mile-long Great Glen and towering
Ben Nevis to the raw, rugged peninsulas of
Morvern and Ardnamurchan.
From left: Ring of Steall Sky
Run; paddleboarding on Loch
Leven with Rugged Scot5 SAVOUR FABULOUS FAMILY FUN
Whether it’s sailing off to real-life treasure
islands or exploring imaginary worlds in
the wilderness, little ones love Lochaber.
In particular, at the Woodlands Glencoe
Activity & Experience Centre, children can
explore the trails on an e-bike and Segway
or guided tour, as well as try their hand at
activities such as laser-tag shooting.For more, go to outdoorcapital.co.uk4 TAKE TO THE WATER
With its white sandy beaches, soaring sea
cliff s, sheltered lochs and deserted isles,
Lochaber is a superb place for sea kayaking
and paddleboarding. The heavily indented
coastline and its shimmering islets off er
everything from a few hours paddling on
Loch Eil through to multi-day adventures
around the beautiful Knoydart peninsula,
or open-sea thrills across to the Small Isles.
For the best experiences, the Arisaig Sea
Kayak Centre and River to Sea Scotland have
all you need to get out on the water.3 ENJOY GREAT SCOTTISH WALKS
Not content with just one world-class long
distance walking trail, Lochaber off ers an
opportunity to tread two of Scotland’s most
famous routes. Most accessible is the Great
Glen Way, which peels off northeast of Fort
William along a vast geological faultline.
This 7 8-mile route to Inverness opens up the
surrounding landscape, so you can enjoy
Lochaber’s most scenic stretches. The 96
miles of the West Highland Way, meanwhile,
2 DOMINATE THE DOWNHILLS
Lochaber off ers some fantastic terrain
for mountain bikers, with natural trails
crisscrossing the countryside. The Nevis
Range has hosted the downhill round of
the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup since
2002, and it’s easy to see why. Carved into
the mountainside, technical red routes tear
down into the forest, while the lower blue
and green trails ensure everyone can get
into the action, no matter their skill level.
The terrain can be accessed by the mountain
gondola — the only one of its kind in Britain.
1 CLIMB BIG BEN
Scotland is the most mountainous country
in the UK, and its towering peak of Ben Nevis
is the highest in Britain, at 4,413ft. Although
more technical ascents and descents of the
mountain are possible, the classic ‘Pony
Track’ route, which zigzags up the main
bulk to the summit and its unbeatable views,
is the most popular with hikers here. Always
treat Ben Nevis seriously and prepare well,
as hiking here is no simple weekend wander.
Those in any doubt should hire a guide
— local outfi t Abacus Mountain Guides have
years of experience helping people achieve
their dream of hiking into the heavens.
are traditionally tackled northwards from
the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William,
and again the Lochaber sections excel.
The beauty of both walks is that you can pick
a bite-sized section to enjoy in just a day.