Lochaber has been branded the Outdoor Capital of the UK, and for good reason. There is an abundance of activities to be explored all over Lochaber. Experience the natural, sublime and serene wonders of adventure in Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK. Enjoy the majestic glens, breathe in the fresh mountain air and marvel at the stunning landscape surrounding you.
Mountain Biking – Nevis Range, https://www.nevisrange.co.uk just north of Fort William, hosts the British section of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup every June, attracting the world’s best downhill riders and and mountain bike enthusiasts. Glencoe Mountain Resort https://www.glencoemountain.co.uk also have downhill mountain biking trails for use in the summer. Both these resorts have trails galore for all abilities. There are also numerous routes around Inchree, and Glencoe Lochan nearby.
Hillwalking – We have the highest hill in Great Britain right here on our doorstep here in Fort William. Ben Nevis, translated to Venomous Mountain, is one of the most popular walks in Lochaber with over 100,000 people attempting to summit it every year. It takes about 6 hours up and down, although the record for the Ben Nevis Race, held every year in September, is 1hour 25mins! It’s always a busy mountain, and there are plenty of other hills just as wonderful about. You don’t need to go too high to get a great view.
Skiing – In winter, both Nevis Rangehttps://www.nevisrange.co.uk and Glencoe Mountain Resorthttps://www.glencoemountain.co.uk have fabulous skiing conditions and gondolas and chairs to take you up the mountains.
The base of the snowsports area at Nevis Range is accessed by the UK’s only mountain gondola taking visitors from the car park just above sea level to 650 metres (2,150 feet). The beginner’s area is literally a stone’s throw away from the Snowgoose restaurant at the top station, with a variety of easy green and blue graded runs. An artificial slope also provides skiing opportunities when snow is lean. Further up the mountain is an extensive network of red and black runs, for the more experienced skier.
Originally known as White Corries, Glencoe was the first commercial Scottish Ski Area with the construction of the first overhead ski lift on Meall A’Bhuiridh in 1956. At Glencoe Mountain Resort you are able to ski and snowboard across 20 runs and 8 lifts – catering for skiers and boarders of all levels.
Water based Activites – The west coast of Scotland has become a mecca for white water kayaking, sea kayaking and open canoeing due to the natural landscape and the huge number of rivers, lochs, sea trips and the Great Glen Canoe Trail
There is also canyoning and gorge walking with Vertical Descents http://www.verticaldescents.com nearby in Onich. Being surrounded by steep mountains with rivers and streams running down their sides, the canyoning and gorge walking venues around Lochaber are world class.
Paddleboarding is fast becoming one of the most popular activiites and at Rugged Paddleboard https://www.ruggedpaddleboard.co.uk/ you can experience the magic of paddleboarding in Glencoe.
White Water rafting https://www.activehighs.co.uk/white-water-rafting-fort-williamis a very popular activity in Scotland and, in the Lochaber area, it can be the best in the country, it doesn’t just have Grade 3/4 rivers on offer. There’s also grade 4/5 rivers if you’re after a real adrenaline rush!