Glencoe Day Trips & Hikes
How to spend the perfect day in Glencoe, plus day trip suggestions into the surrounding areas. Scroll down the page to find day out suggestions for Glencoe itself, the nearby town of Fort William, the coastal haven of Oban and the nearby village of Appin. Amongst these regions and towns, you’ll find both easy walks and moderately challenging hikes, and plenty of excellent places to eat.
Day Trip 1
GLENCOE
How to spend a day in Glencoe, exploring its breathtaking viewpoints, hiking its most beautiful trails, and experiencing its spectacular Highland landscapes.
Glencoe Ski Lift
For a fun outdoor activity, head to this chair lift that takes you 670 meters into the Glencoe mountains. The views over wild Rannoch Moor are phenomenal, especially on the way down. You can hop off mid-way and explore the mountain. Or stay on to complete the loop.
It takes around 30 minutes but is probably one to skip on a rainy day! It opens at 9 a.m.
Directions: car park
Parking: large parking at the ski centre with a suggested donation.
Time: around 40 minutes.
White Cottage
One of the most famous sights in Scotland, the white cottage sits beneath the imposing mountain Buachaille Etive Mòr. You can see it from the car or walk down to the cottage itself – the trail is easy to follow if a little rocky. But the view from the river is wonderful.
Directions: viewpoint lay-by
Time: either 5 minutes or 30 minutes.
The Meeting of Three Waters
A raging waterfall where run-off from three mountain streams meets. After heavy rainfall, this is a mini–Niagara Falls. The best part is above the waterfalls, where there are mini pools and waterfalls, plus great views. Go over the low stone wall and follow the rocky path upwards. It’s a little scrambly and can be muddy, so boots are advisable.
If you have any interest in wild swimming, this is a great spot!
Directions: layby
Parking: There is parking on both sides of the road.
The Three Sisters Viewpoint
This is one of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland. From here, you can get close and personal with the Three Sisters of Glencoe—three outcrops of the Bidean Nam Bian mountain.
Directions: Three Sisters car park
Parking: the car park can be busy and slightly chaotic! Just be careful when parking here.
Moderate hike: Hidden Valley
If you’re looking for a longer hike (which is moderately challenging), the above viewpoint is also the start point of the Hidden Valley trail. A gorgeous 5-mile out-and-back hike, there are boulders to cross and the occasional stream (depending on the level of rain). But the trail leads you to a lost valley tucked deep within the Glencoe mountains.
Directions: Three Sisters car park
Parking: the car park can be busy and slightly chaotic! Just be careful when parking here.
Easy walk: An Torr & Signal Rock forest walk
A beautiful and easy forest stroll with big mountain views. Choose from multiple trails for a short or longer walk, and pop into the Clachaig Inn for a well-deserved drink, snack, and rest before returning to your car. Expect to spend around one hour here, depending on how far you walk.
Directions and parking: An Torr car park
Eating options in Glencoe
For lunch, you have the option of Stiff Peaks in Glencoe. It’s easily one of the best patisseries/bakeries in Scotland.
Alternatively, seafood shack Cuil Seafood serves boxes of locally caught scallops, mussels, and langoustines. Park at the Co-op car park for both. These are takeaway options, but there are plenty of places to park and eat.
For something a little more formal, head around Loch Leven to the Loch Leven Seafood Café. As you can imagine, dishes are based on local seafood.
Or eat in the above-mentioned Clachaig Inn, who serve hearty, larger plates of crowd-pleasing pub-grub.
Day Trip 2
FORT WILLIAM & GLENFINNAN
Spend the day in Fort William. A busy Highland town, most famous for Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain), you’ll find amenities here like eateries, shops, and fuel stations. The drive from Glencoe to Fort William takes around 30 minutes.
Cruise Loch Linnhe
A fantastic way to experience the west coast is with a boat trip across Loch Linnhe. This option departs from Fort William pier and cruises along the coast, with the captain sharing history and stories about the area.
Book tickets: Cruise Loch Linnhe
Parking: Paid parking in this town centre car park.
Time: 2 hours+
Steall Falls & Nevis Gorge Walk
One of the best short walks in Scotland. Here you’ll find a fantastic forest/gorge walk to Steall Falls is a 3.5km (2.2-mile) round trip. The terrain is mostly easy, but there are a few rocky sections that require good footwear. The waterfall at the end of the trail is truly spectacular!
Directions: Upper Falls car park
Parking: The Upper Falls car park is up a single-track road. It’s free to park.
Time: 1.5 hours
Banavie Locks, Neptune’s Staircase & Canal Walk
Neptune’s Staircase is an amazing feat of engineering by Thomas Telford; a staircase of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal. There’s a canal here for an easy stroll and an opportunity to stretch your legs.
Follow the Great Glen Way thistle signposts towards Corpach Marina (or drive the short distance), where you’ll find a lovely little café in the marina, the end of the canal, and truly spectacular views over Ben Nevis and Loch Linnhe.
Parking: Banavie Locks car park.
Time: Allow 45 minutes (longer if you’d like to walk more of the canal).
Glenfinnan Viaduct & Jacobite Steam Train
From Fort William, it’s a 40-minute drive to Glenfinnan and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. This is a popular spot, so be aware that it can get busy. Nonetheless, it’s one of Scotland’s most iconic places, steeped in Jacobite history and heritage – this is where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed on his quest for the crown and to overthrow English rule.
On a nice day, I suggest walking the scenic trail between the dining car and the viaduct. The path is usually muddy, so you’ll need suitable footwear. But it’s otherwise an easy trail with stunning mountain and loch views.
Park in the main car park (£5 fee) and walk up the main road to the Glenfinnan Dining Car for a late lunch or early dinner (15-minute walk). It’s a unique dining experience in an old train carriage that only uses quality local produce.
Once you’ve finished lunch, turn left out of the carriage and down the steps to the Viaduct Trail. It takes you on a path past numerous viewpoints over Loch Shiel & the viaduct.
To see the Jacobite steam train going over the viaduct, you need to be standing at the stepped viewpoint before 13:15 or 14:50.
You can find more information in my post. The walk from the dining car to the viewpoint takes approximately 30 minutes, but it’s best to arrive early (to see the train). Once the train has passed, continue down under the viaduct to the car park. If you have time, you can walk out to Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel. Allow around two hours for the full experience.
Directions: Glenfinnan car park
Parking: £5 for a car via the pay-and-display machines.
Time: 1.5-2 hours if you have lunch and walk the trail. Less if you walk directly.
Eating options in Fort William
Blas na Mara (Taste of the Sea) - a fantastic seafood shack in Fort William. Park at the West End car park (pay & display), then cross the road towards town. There’s a small
If you’d like a coffee, cake, or light bite for the journey, then pop into The Kilted Camel.
Garrison West. - for something a little more formal, book a table in this eatery that specialises in locally-sourced seafood, fish, meat, and venison.
Day Trip 3
OBAN & APPIN
Oban is called “The Gateway to the Isles” as it’s the main ferry port for the Islands of Islay, Mull & the Outer Hebrides. However, even if you’re not visiting the islands, this quaint seaside town has lots to see & do. Also visit nearby Appin with its excellent restaurants, unique castle viewpoint, and bridge walk.
McCaigs Tower
A prominent circular tower (looks similar to a Colosseum) overlooks the bay. The walk to get here is short – but steep – but the coastal views are wonderful.
Directions: park here.
Walk start point: here
Oban Distillery
Guided tours until 5:30, however, there’s also a tasting bar where you can sample a small dram or build a whisky flight. Plus a quaint shop that’s perfect for a wander around to soak up the atmosphere, even if you’re not looking to try a whisky on the day. Highly recommend.
Tours & tastings: book online
Dunollie Castle, Gardens & Museum
An impressive little castle with lots of local history and a ruined tower, a 30-minute walk (or 5-minute drive) along Oban Promenade.
Directions: Dunollie Castle parking
Oban Sea Tours
If the weather is nice, you can book a boat trip from Oban around the nearby waters. There are frequently dolphins and seals, and it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours.
Tickets: book in advance here
Dunstaffnage Castle
A remarkably well-preserved castle built in 1240 by Duncan MacDougall. It’s £7.50 per adult to get inside, and allow at least 25 minutes to detour and walk to the castle & chapel. More if you go inside. This is a 15-minute drive outside of Oban.
Directions: You can use the free Dunstaffnage car park
Food & Drink options in Oban
The Whisky Vaults - a huge selection of whisky and a big beer garden.
The Oban Inn – a traditional Scottish pub that’s an Oban institution.
Oban Chocolate Company - boutique coffee / cake / chocolate shop.
Hinba Coffee – a speciality coffee shop where you choose your beans.
Oban Beer Seller - small shop with Scottish craft beers and tastings.
Roxy’s Coffee & Tea House – a great breakfast/coffee & cake place.
EE-USK: excellent seafood restaurant on the waterfront.
The Waterfront: another excellent seafood restaurant with sea views.
Oban Seafood Hut - fresh seafood from local boats with covered seating outside.
Oban fish & chip shop - great fish & chips to eat in or takeaway.
Appin
You can combine a trip to Oban with a stop in Appin and the incredible Castle Stalker.
Castle Stalker & Jubilee Bridge
Castle Stalker is a tiny castle by the sea close to Appin. It’s famous for being in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. You can read its history here.
Park at the Jubilee Bridge car park. Follow the Jubilee Bridge, a narrow wooden walkway spanning the salt marsh, which was built in 1898 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
You can see Castle Stalker from the car park and bridge, but if you walk over the bridge and join the cycle path, you can get to the shore edge closest to the castle. Around 3km out & back if you go the full distance. Allow 15 to 45 minutes, depending on how far you walk. And you can find the complete trail in this OS Map route.
Eating options in Appin
Pierhouse Hotel (& Restaurant): one of the best places to eat on the West Coast.
Old Inn, Appin: A quaint and traditional restaurant serving hearty food.