Steall Waterfall

Visited Stefall over the weekend and didn't know what to expect.

Few tips:
It's about 45 min - 1hr walk to the waterfall. The path starts out really easily but quickly becomes challenging and uneven with some parts being close to a high drop. Take it easy and make sure you're stable before moving forward, oncoming hikers will help/wait for you so take your time.

Don't underestimate the Scottish Midges. They're everywhere and the more you stop, the more you can feel the bites/landing all over you. Wear repellent or even one of those netted hats if you feel it would help. They're all along the path and at the waterfall so be prepared.

There's no phone signal near the waterfall so make sure you're well prepared with water/snacks if needed. It's a populated path but treat it no different to walking up a mountain as help might be tricky to come by.

Parking can be a nightmare and it's hard to u-turn when you get to the free parking at the end. Some park in the passing bays but that just causes more problems so try and get their early, or later in the afternoon. There's a bigger car park further up but the walk to the falls will be longer.

There are two ways to get to the waterfall. Over the rope bridge, or over the stream using the slippery rocks. There's an open clearing when you're beyond the path so you can simply enjoy the waterfall from a distance if that works for you.

What a great walk this is - the scenery is fantastic and changes as you progress through the walk. It’s not a long hike at all and not strenuous so good even for non-hikers!

From Fort William you take the road to Glen Nevis and go past the Ben Nevis visitor centre. Keep going for another 10 minutes, over the river and onto a single track road. Just when you think you may have gone the wrong way there is a small car park at the end - we were lucky to get a spot around noon.

The walk takes you through woods on a rocky track (wear hiking boots if you can). You can hear water throughout the walk but it’s only after about 30 mins that you see it rushing through the canyon. The walk then opens out into a plateau and you then see the waterfall in the distance.

Beautiful area and well worth the trip. Glen Nevis is a wonderful valley with excellent views and there are plenty of spots to kick back and relax. I managed to get many wonderful pictures during our afternoon in the area.

However, please be aware of the Highland code when visiting. We didn't make it to the top car park and people were double parked, parked right at the entry/exit to the car park and then parking in passing places or precariously near the edge of a cliff. Please do not do this, it is dangerous and selfish. I have a small city car so could manoeuvre round but for any bigger cars you'd be hard pressed. Large vehicles such as motor homes are not advised to travel up the single track road and again, I witnessed people do this. Also the road past the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre is narrow, twisty and bumpy so don't speed around it. Proceed with caution and you will be fine.

The lower falls car park is currently closed and looks like it is being refurbished. From here you can explore the lower falls which are beautiful, plus you can follow a route to Paddy's Bridge. Eventually you'll link back up to the top and can carry on to Steall Falls walk.

Please be aware this is steep and rocky, so wear sensible footwear and be sure to bring everything you need as there are no facilities up at the top.

Past the visitor centre you can either park at the recently refurbished lower falls car park, now with toilets, or drive up the narrower road to the upper falls car park, where spaces are more limited.
A 40 min moderate hike will take you through rocky, uneven pathways which even in summer are wet as streams cross them, to open out into the glorious valley to see the 180 m high Steall waterfall. It is impressive and those not of a nervous disposition can use the wire bridge to cross the river or just take your shoes and socks off to wade across it to access the base of the falls. Would benefit from a proper bridge!
Is a clear path to follow from the upper car park to the waterfall but the path from the lower falls to upper falls car park is less clear as a few people we talked to were struggling to find where to go.
Very picturesque and worth the walk. Also Free!

Did this as a warm up the day before going up Ben Nevis. Was very apprehensive due to warnings about the cliff edges etc so agonised over taking my two kids (10 & 11) along. As it turned out, yes there is potential for catastrophe but if approached in a sensible, risk averse manner (frequent reminders to kids to stay on the inside of the path) you should all be ok.

The other reasons I was unsure about taking the kids was I didn’t know whether

a) they were tall enough to negotiate the rope bridge

b) how deep the river was to traverse if they couldn’t do the rope bridge

c) how deep the river was under the rope bridge

As it turned out, they both managed the rope bridge independently - my 11 year old very slowly, my 10 year old was quicker than me!

The river to the left of the rope bridge (facing the waterfall) wasn’t deep at all. I only got one foot wet (though this was July during a hot dry spell)

Downside of coming during a hot dry spell was the waterfall wasn’t as spectacular as it could have been, but hey I’m not complaining too much.

Was told by swimmers that the water was about 5ft deep under the deep end of the rope bridge.

Overall, enjoyed it, would recommend with the caveat that you do take care!

a very spectacular waterfall in an unexpectedly open setting, once you've clambered your way up and along a very rocky and at times slippery track. Well worth the hike up, but take stout walking shoes and leave your old granny at home - she won't make it! I'd imagine that doing the walk after recent rain might be a bit hazardous as several parts of the track are a bit sketchy over rock slabs. Never tried the rope bridge beneath the falls as it was too busy but it looked . interesting! Whoever sets the stone climbing steps up on this path needs medals and much beer, well done to them. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Steall Waterfall is a wonderful waterfall located in Glen Nevis, close to Fort William city.
This is the second highest waterfall of Scotland, with its single drop of 120 meters.
This waterfall worth a visit, if you are in the neighborhood.

The walk out to the falls was great, it had been raining heavily which made the views all the more spectacular. I kept seeing huge waterfalls and waterslides and thought that each one could have been the Steall falls themselves, but their position didn't tie up with the route. After passing through the small carpark, and walking up the narrow ravine, the landscape suddenly opened out into a huge meadow. The impressive waterfall at the end of the Glen was well worth the visit, though I didn't go over the wire bridge on this occasion. Something for next time, I'll definitely go back in "less moist" conditions.

There's a reasonably strenuous walk from the car park before you get a view of the falls, with some nice viewpoints for taking pictures. The walk seems popular so if you don't arrive early you may struggle with parking. Once you reach sight of the falls, in a dramatic secluded valley you have the choice to cross a cable bridge. This is not suitable for young children or dogs, so this will be the closest you can get to the falls, but the views from here are still impressive. If you can cross the bridge (and there is often a queue to do so), a short walk will take you right to the bottom of the falls.
The falls are impressive and getting so close is amazing.

Early start gives you the chance to secure a parking space at end of single track road at the top of Glen Nevis.
This is an excellent option for all walkers . old, young, skilled and not so skilled. Good sturdy footwear is advisable as path conditions are variable.
The views at various points on the path looking down the Glen are stunning and the view of the Falls as you leave the cover of the trees is awesome.
We tackled the wire bridge to get a close up of these fantastic falls . initial trepidation but managed no problem by taking it slowly.
We walked beyond the Falls following the Nevis Water and is worth extending this walk for excellent views.
Would recommend as an option to the greet hill walks in the area.