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 Eli 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: 9.5 miles (15km)    

Ascent: 3,200ft (980m)    

We’ve a steep climb ahead as we set off from Glen Coe onto Buachaille Etive Mor. We'll then follow the ridge to the summit of Stob Dearg where you’ll have an eagle’s eye view over Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe. 

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 (8km)    

Ascent: 150ft (40m)    

We’ll walk beside Loch Linnhe, a loch created when glaciers headed seawards many years ago. We’ll follow the route of the old railway back to South Ballachulish before crossing the Ballachulish bridge and arriving back at the house.  

What your kids will love: We’ll arrive back from our walk with plenty of time to spend together as a family. You’ll find books and games to borrow or explore the historic nooks and crannies around the house – the area with the small stained-glass window at the end of the entrance hall was probably the private chapel. 

Distance: 6 miles (10km)    

Ascent: 950ft (300m)   

From the house we’ll head over Ballachulish Bridge, which crosses over Loch Leven and Loch Linnhe. We’ll continue the walk into the forested trails of Gleann a’ Chaolais – a walker’s and wildlife spotter’s delight.  

What your kids will love: Testing your map reading skills – there are Munros to spot as you look south along the forest trail. Can you make out Sgurr Dhonuil or Bidean nam Bian? 

Distance: 9.5 miles (15km)    

Ascent: 3,900ft (1,180m)    

This walk gives us another chance to bag a Munro, this time Sgorr Dhearg. Starting at sea level, we’ll climb over 1,000 metres to the summit. From here we’ll return through the lush valley of Gleann a' Chaolais before we dip into the forest and over the Ballachulish Bridge to the house.   

What your kids will love: Time to take a breath and admire the views together – if the weather’s kind you’ll see the mountains above Glencoe, Ben Nevis, and maybe even the Hebridean Islands. 

Distance: 9.5 miles (15.5km)    

Ascent: 3,850ft (1,160m)    

Today we’re heading for the Beinn a'Bheithir ridge and two Munro summits, Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dhearg. This is a steep walk and tough going, but the sense of achievement is well worth it.  

What your kids will love: Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dhearg can be seen from the house. From the summit you’ll even be able to make out Alltshellach (hint – it’s just to the east of Ballachulish bridge).