Steall Waterfall and Glen Nevis
Steall Waterfall and Glen Nevis
4.8
(284)
2,357
hikers
01:19
3.97km
100m
Hiking
Embark on a moderate hike through the dramatic Nevis Gorge to reach the magnificent Steall Waterfall, Scotland's second-highest cascade. This 2.5-mile (4.0 km) route, with an elevation gain of 340 feet (104 metres), takes approximately 1 hour and 19 minutes to complete. You will navigate a rocky, uneven path with…
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Waypoints
Start point
Parking
Get Directions
792 m
Highlight • Viewpoint
Tip by
1.66 km
Highlight • Bridge
Tip by
1.98 km
Highlight • Waterfall
Tip by
3.97 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
2.29 km
1.60 km
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
3.09 km
800 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Wednesday 6 May
14°C
6°C
48 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 24.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
Very nice 2 hour hike. You can bravely get to the Steall waterfall via a wire rope or across the river. Varied and very beautiful with a view of Glen Nevis. Harry Potter and Braveheart were filmed here
On Sunday before heading home we headed to Steall Falls for a short walk and a wish to swim. When we got there I had said that it would be around 10-15 minute walk to the waterfall. I might have been a little wrong about this as it took us around half an hour to get to the wire bridge. It's a very fun way across the river, but if you don't have a head for heights then crossing the river higher up on foot is an option as well. Just be careful on the slippy rocks and be ready to have cold feet! The waterfall stood majestic as ever and we even saw some people having a dip in it. We couldn't really find a pool deep enough for a dip there, but later on found that on the right side of the waterfall just after some boulders there's a deep pool that you can swim in. Here we took some photos and even looked at some rocks! Never knew that the ground here is so rich! We found some very common quartz crystals, zinc and even some pyrite! Once we were back at the bridge we braved for a wild swim! The water was quite cold but it was very refreshing at the same time! I keep surprising myself every time I get in the cold water as it keeps being easier and easier. For me the secret, I think, is to hype myself up before the swim and to just run in without thinking. After our swim we headed back in a pretty fast pace to keep warm! The terrain is a little rocky at times, but definitely very manageable. The free carpark we parked as is just after the official one, all you need to do is follow the road down all the way to the end! This way you will also have a shorter walk to the waterfall. Something I also discovered very recently is that the Steall Falls waterfall was featured in the Harry Potter Goblet of Fire movie! That's pretty cool I think. Now that I've done this a few times, I think next hike when I'm in the area will be the Ring of Steall. It's a fun but challenging walk I found out about mid February this year. I wish I could spend some more time in Scotland as it's always wonderful there!
We set off in heavy cloud cover, and after about 1.5 km the rain 🌧️ started, which then got heavier and heavier. It wasn't as extreme as yesterday, but it was still enough to get wet down to our underwear 😊The rain turned the paths into streams, which in turn filled up our shoes😮🙃 Summary: the landscape is wonderful and the waterfalls are worth seeing! Better than the Fairy Pools anyway! Exciting: the rope bridge, which of course I had to conquer😇☺️
simply a fantastic way. Non-slip hiking shoes are absolutely necessary. You have to go over water areas with some prominent rocks. If you dare to cross the rope bridge, you can get even closer to the waterfall. Unfortunately, the other path was not really accessible due to the frequent rains. we stopped there. But the short route is always worth it, nature rewards you
Incredibly beautiful waterfall in a beautiful landscape. The hiking trail there is well laid out and yet not boring or toned down. Sturdy shoes are advisable. It is helpful to arrive early, as the upper car park can fill up quickly in the afternoon. To cross the rope bridge (very strenuous) you usually have to wait a long time even when there are not many people (there are almost never two people walking at the same time, even if it is allowed). We simply walked barefoot through the small river (swimming shoes would be helpful!), and then continued barefoot to the waterfall, as everything is very muddy
100mph gusts meant that hiking up mountains was unfortunately out of the question, so decided to chase waterfalls instead