7 Night Scottish Highlands Family Walking Adventure

Distance: 3.5 miles (6km)    

Ascent: 100ft (40m)    

We’ll set sail on the Corran Ferry to the Ardgour peninsula – only a 5-minute journey away. Here we’ll explore the grounds of the Ardgour Estate, home to the Maclean clan for the last 600 years. There’s plenty to see, including a group of lochans (small lochs) formed by glaciers 10,000 years ago.  

What your kids will love: Imagine what life was like under the rule of ‘Strong Donald the Hunter’, the first Maclean of Ardgour, who overcame the MacMasters clan to secure the land. Search for their tartan colours and have a go at drawing your own. 

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)    

Ascent: 500ft (160m)    

Embark on a fabulous walk passing abandoned quarries and into the woodland trails of Inchree Forest, where there’s plenty of wildlife to spot. In the afternoon we’ll hop aboard the Corran Ferry to explore the Ardgour Estate and its lochans.  

What your kids will love: Inchree Forest is a haven for elusive red squirrels. Keep your eyes peeled on the treetops to spot these famous residents climbing, scuttling, and balancing on branches.

Distance: 6 miles (10km)    

Ascent: 2,450ft (760m)    

A ferry ride takes us to the Ardgour Peninsula, where we’ll climb the side of the spectacular Maclean’s Towel waterfall to the summit of Meall Breac.  

What your kids will love: Check the water’s still flowing from the waterfall. It’s said that the Macleans will only rule over Ardgour until the water runs dry.  

Distance: 7 miles (11.5km)    

Ascent: 2,750ft (840m)    

This walk initially follows the same route as option three but continues past Maclean's Towel waterfall onto the summit of Sgurr na h-Eanchainne at just over 700 metres high.  

What your kids will love: Take on the challenge and climb to the top - you’ll have bragging rights all day long.  

Distance: 4.5 miles (7km)    

Ascent: 550ft (160m)    

From the ruins of Old Inverlochy Castle we head up towards the towering mountains and through the forests of Glen Domhanaidh. When we arrive at the Nevis Range we’ll ride the gondola for wow-worthy views of nearby mountains and lochs. 

What your kids will love: Spotting Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil below your feet. Fun fact: the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola can carry 1,700 people per hour up and down the slopes of Aonach Mòr, the eighth highest mountain in Britain. 

Distance: 6.5 miles (10km)    

Ascent: 1,400ft (420m)    

A longer version of option one, stamina is required as we ascend to the edge of Gleann Domhanaidh. It’s worth the effort though as the viewpoint allows us to take in the amazing scenery all around. We wind our way back through the forest to the Nevis Range where we’ll have opportunity to ride the gondola. 

What your kids will love: Coming face to face with Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, from the viewpoint. Gaze up at the north face from the viewpoint. 

Distance: 4.5 miles (7km)    

Ascent: 2,000ft (600m)    

The gondola helps us ascend the first 650m today, however our feet will do the rest. This walk takes us to the summit of Aonach Mòr. At an altitude of 4,006ft (1,220m), Aonach Mòr is a significant peak - the eighth highest in Britain.  

What your kids will love: Spying the Grey Corries – these four peaks are named after the colour of the quartzite from which they are made. The peaks are Sgurr Choinnich Mor, Stob Choire Claurigh, Stob Coire an Laoigh, and Stob Ban. Try saying those quickly. 

Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5km)    

Ascent: 3,050ft (920m)    

Starting at the top of the gondola, this is a challenging and rough mountain walk, which bags the summits of Aonach Mòr and Aonach Beag - Scotland's seventh and eighth highest peaks.  

What your kids will love: Casting your mind back 410 million years ago when Ben Nevis was still an active volcano. It’s believed the rock you see on the north face is a result of immense volcanic eruptions.  

Distance: 5.5 miles (9km)    

Ascent: 250ft (80m)    

It’s downhill all the way as we walk from Glen Nevis to Fort William. There are waterfalls to enjoy and wildlife to spot on route. 

What your kids will love: Waiting with anticipation to hear the chug-chugging of the steam-powered train (the one from Harry Potter) arriving into Fort William. 

Distance: 8 miles (12.5km)    

Ascent: 700ft (220m)    

We’ll snake our way through Nevis Gorge keeping an eye on Ben Nevis high above us. Enjoy the calm of this wooded gorge, where the torrent churns between giant boulders.  

What your kids will love: Crossing the river on a wire-rope bridge – only for those brave enough. 

Distance: 9 miles (14km)    

Ascent: 2,600ft (800m)    

Set your sights on the climbers’ hut that sits below the mighty north face of Ben Nevis as you begin climbing up and up. Then once we reach it, we’ll contour below the Castle Ridge buttress and descend via the Pony Track to Glen Nevis.  

What your kids will love: Looking out for rock climbers on the famed towering cliffs of Ben Nevis’ north face.  

Distance: 10 miles (16.5km)    

Ascent: 4,500ft (1,380m)    

Today we take on Britain’s highest mountain - Ben Nevis. It’s a challenging, zig-zagging climb to the summit, but it’s a walk to remember.  

What your kids will love: The thrill of being the highest person in Britain, if only for a few moments. 

Distance: 4 miles (7km)   

Ascent: 600ft (180m)    

We’ll walk around ‘Hospital Lochan’ today, a loch surrounded by enormous redwood trees where we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views. Then it’s onwards to the Glen Coe visitor centre to discover the history of Glen Coe and the Clan MacDonald. 

What your kids will love: Travelling back in time as you look inside the replica 17th century turf and creel house at the visitor centre. Imagine living at a time of clans and feuds. Fun fact: they used 3,500 handmade wooden pegs to build the house. 

Distance: 8 miles (13km)    

Ascent: 1,200ft (360m)    

Learn about Glen Coe's turbulent history as we follow woodland paths to the scenic ‘Hospital Lochan’ and onto Signal Rock, the gathering point for the MacDonalds of Glen Coe in times of emergency.  

What your kids will love: The surrounding woods are home to goldcrests, blue tits, great tits, robins, siskins, woodpeckers, and tawny owls. Bring a notebook and try to draw your findings. 

Distance: 6 miles (10km)    

Ascent: 3,050ft (940m)    

You’ll need plenty of energy today as we set off for the ridge of Buachaille Etive Beag. Starting from Glen Coe, we'll follow a good path to the ridge and visit both Stob Coire Raineach and Stob Dubh before returning to the valley below. 

What your kids will love: Climbing over 3,000ft and bagging one of Scotland’s mighty Munros. The sense of achievement is exhilarating. 

Distance: 8.5 miles (14km)    

Ascent: 3,850ft (1180m)    

Ascend steeply from Glen Coe up a rocky path through Coire Altruim onto Buachaille Etive Mor. We'll head to the summit of Stob na Broige, before following the undulating ridge to the summit of Stob Dearg where there's an eagle’s eye view over Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe stretching out beneath. 

What your kids will love: Keeping your eyes on the sky in search of golden eagles as they soar high about the mountain tops. Amazingly, they can live for 23 years, and their wingspan stretches an incredible 2.1 metres. 

Distance: 5 miles (8.5km)

Ascent: 950ft (280m)

We’ll start by the old Aluminium Works in Kinlochleven where water flows down from the Blackwater Reservoir to power the turbines. We will then visit the many waterfalls of the River Leven, before going to the base of Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall. Joining the West Highland Way, we’ll enjoy magnificent views of Loch Leven before heading back to Kinlochleven.

What your kids will love: Looking up at Grey Mare’s Waterfall, one of the UK's highest, which plunges 60m down into the Moffat Water Valley.

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Ascent: 1450ft (440m)

The sight of Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall plunging 60m into the valley will stop you in your tracks. Not only that, but there are also far-reaching views over the lochs and peaks of this nature reserve.  

We’ll then join the Old Military Road along the flanks of Sgurr an Fhuarain, stopping at even more fine viewpoints, before heading back to Kinlochleven.

What your kids will love: Marching along the old road and learning about General George Wade and the Jacobite Rebellion.

Distance: 8 miles (13km)

Ascent: 2050ft (620m)

We’’ll walk from the northern shore of Loch Leven to the village of Kinlochleven. The route will take us up a steep hillside, then follow a path behind Mam na Gualainn to join the famed West Highland Way. We’ll complete a section of Scotland’s premier long-distance path, including part of General Wade’s 18th century military road. 

What your kids will love: Marching along the old road and learning about General George Wade and the Jacobite Rebellion.

Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km)

Ascent: 3,800ft (1160m)

With 10 Munro summits, the rugged Mamore ridge contains some of Scotland's finest mountain walking. We’ll take in a small part of it, climbing past Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall onto the Mamore mountains from where the wild and fierce landscape opens up before us.  

We’ll traverse a high-level ridge walk, which links the summits of Sgorr Eilde Beag and Na Gruagaichean, before descending the southern spur of the mountain back to Kinlochleven. 

What your kids will love: The top-of-the-world views over the surrounding landscape from Sgorr Eilde Beag.