Steall Waterfall (also known as An Steall Bàn) is the second highest waterfall in Scotland. It can be found in Glen Nevis, not far from Ben Nevis in the Highlands of Scotland. In fact, the first time we hiked to Steall Falls we did so because Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain, was in cloud. What was the point of a long and strenuous hike up a mountain if there was no view? We needed an alternative and Steall Falls fit the bill. Although the Steall Waterfall is 120 metres high, the trail to see it is quite low so not affected by the cloud. Add in that there is a spectacular waterfall at the end and it ticked all the boxes!
Where are Steall Falls?
The nearest town to Steall Falls is Fort William. From Fort William, take the C1162, which goes past the main trailhead for Ben Nevis and the Glen Nevis Camping and Caravan Park, where we usually stay.
The car park for Steall Falls is approximately 7 miles from Fort William at the very end of the C1162. It is quite a small carpark and from here it is just under 2 miles to the falls ( – this is the easier route. See below).
The Lower Falls Carpark, which you reach first, is larger, but a couple of miles further away from Steall Waterfall. From this carpark, one could hike up the road to the smaller carpark, or take the rather more challenging route described below.
Steall Falls is in Glen Nevis and the trail to reach them goes along through the Nevis Gorge.
How hard is the hike to Steall Falls?
Most of the information available online about how to hike to Steall Falls describes the easy version of the hike. It is a round trip of 3.5 miles and is an out-and-back hike. The trail is quite straightforward with just a couple of tricky bits over gullies and rocks to negotiate.
However, there is a rather longer and more difficult hike to Steall Falls. This alternative route forms a loop rather than an out-and-back and incorporates a fairly steep climb. It also involves tackling a wire bridge across the river!
Steall Falls are definitely worth visiitng, regardless of which route you opt for.
The Easy Hike to Steall Falls
A really useful trailmap can be found on the Walk the Highlands site. The purple line shows this easier trail.
The trail is signposted from the upper car park, which is maintained by the John Muir Trust.
The trail heads gradually upwards through the gorge and woodlands, with the river below. Eventually it opens out into a meadow and a first view of the wonderful Steall Falls.
This path is straightforward for the most part, but would not be possible with a buggy or a wheelchair. There are a couple of tricky gullies to cross and some rocky bits to climb, but most people of reasonable fitness would manage this path.
When the waterfall comes into view, the trail has arrived at the the river and the wire bridge. The trail at this point is really easy.
To go any further though would require crossing the river! Most people stop at this point and admire the falls from a distance.
A more challenging route to Steall Falls
This loop hike starts further down the gorge just beyond the carpark for the Lower Falls and at a little under 10km is rather longer than the route described above. Rather than driving up the single track road to the smaller carpark, park here at the bottom. From here, just walk down the road to the river and this trail is signposted at the gate.
For this route, the river (the Water of Nevis) is on your left as you head up the gorge and is quite dramatic in places.
At first the trail is very easy.
But it soon becomes rather more rugged!
Eventually you reach a wooden bridge (Paddy’s Bridge) across the river. The bridge crosses on to the road up to the small carpark. Ignore this and carry on up the trail. You will cross this bridge from the road on the way back down to complete the loop.
From this point on the trail becomes rather more challenging. It is rocky and there are several streams to cross. It gradually becomes steeper and then veers off to the right away from the river. The trail leads up the steep slope and involves a little scrambling in places. The photo below does not show how steep this slope is. When we last went, it was also quite muddy and easy to slip. Care is required.
Eventually, you reach the top and head over the summit. This is the reward: the best view over the valley to the Steall Falls! (It is also a great place for a picnic!)
The trail for this route is marked by the black dotted line along the Water of Nevis on the Walk the Highlands trail map.
The Wire Bridge
The next stage of this hike involves climbing down the slope at the other side. It is an easier trail than the upwards slope, but this is definitely the way to do it. I think going in the opposite direction and descending the steep rocky trail away from the falls would be really tricky.
It is possible to continue the hike right the way round to the actual waterfall from this side before actually crossing the river, but in order to complete the loop hike, the river has to be crossed. This means the wire bridge – unless you want to try wading through the river. Our dog swam across!
We did see a couple of people wading across, but that very much depends on how deep the water is at any particular time. This is a shallow part of the river, but even so, I would exercise caution before entering the water. Apart from anything else, it will be freezing cold!
Similarly, tackling the bridge is very much down to individual capabilities. I was nervous!
Peter went first…
And then it was my turn…
Why hike to Steall Falls?
- It is a great alternative to hiking Ben Nevis, especially if the weather is poor or Ben Nevis is in cloud.
- It can be a relatively easy hike, if taking the first route outlined above. However, there is also the option to take the more challenging route.
- It is very scenic with fabulous views of the Nevis Gorge and the surrounding mountains, no to mention the actual Steall Waterfall!
- For those who want a bit of an adrenalin rush, there is the challenge of the wire bridge! (optional!)
- For film buffs, there is the added interest that it featured in the backdrop of a couple of Harry Potter movies.
Hiking to Steall Falls: concluding thoughts
So a really wonderful hike with a very scenic waterfall at the end and two possible routes to get there. Both are well worth doing. Which would you choose? Would you cross that wire bridge? Very much a personal choice, I think!
For other great hikes in Scotland, check out the following posts!
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I have always made a point of never accepting guest posts on AbFabTravels, but I have just made an exception! My daughter Beth is currently on a sabbatical and travelling the world. She has agreed to contribute a few articles, giving a young person’s perspective and insights into a different way of travelling. She is a fantastic writer so please check out her posts.
It’s good Jasper swam the river, as he must have been covered in mud after that trail! This is a gorgeous falls. I’d say the view is well worth the more difficult hike EXCEPT for that bridge, no, no, never lol. A test of balance and bravery for sure. I think I’d have to take the easier trail, though I definitely prefer the closer view.
You know, Cynthia, I think you would manage just fine! I was nervous but it wasn’t so difficult.
How can I do this trail without a car? Can I take a bus from Fort William to one of these carparks?
Sorry Agata, I am unable to answer this. We stayed in a campsite a between Fort William and the Falls. We cycled up to the Falls and this was straight forward. Whether public transport operates on this route, I have no idea. Hope you find a way to explore this area.