Section 1  

Fort William to Loch Ossian 21.2 Miles

The East Highland Way - Section 01 

Start at the A82 Roundabout in Fort William, beside the visitor center car park at the north end of the town. At this point the West Highland Way also starts and finishes. The route marker is found at the end of the Glen Nevis road.

1. Continue along the Glen Nevis single track road for 6.5 miles until you reach the end of the road and a car park.  

2. The road ends and the footpath begins. After one mile winding through forest, the glen opens out and the Steall Waterfall comes in view. Further east is the first bothy on the Way, at Meanannach, known as Meanach Bothy.

3. Follow the River Nevis east; Staoineag Bothy is a welcome stop at 15.6 miles.

4. The track continues east round the south shore of Loch Treig past Creaguaineach Lodge, which looks to be currently used as a bothy with great camping grounds and views of the loch. 

(Since 1929 Loch Treig has been a reservoir, retained behind the Treig Dam forming part of the Lochaber hydro-electric scheme, which required the West Highland railway to be diverted.) 

For information regarding the Treig Dam and surrounding tunnels on the north shore, read this crazy account: The Treig Tunnels

5. From Creaguaineach, the track head south east following the water of Allt a Chamaghrea, and turns east after a few miles to Loch Ossian. (Loch Ossian Youth Hostel 21.2 miles)

6. Loch Ossian Youth Hostel is situated on the banks of the Loch, 1 mile east of Corrour Station Bunkhouse.  (The Bunkhouse needed refurbishment work and was closed down in 2004, but it's now back open! See website for details of food and accommodation. www.mini-webs.com/bethsbit )

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Useful Web addresses & Info for Stage 1: 

www.corrour.co.uk (Corrour Estate & Loch Ossian)

www.syha.org.uk (Glen Nevis Hostel)

 
Loch Ossian Eco Hostel Info:

Loch Ossian is a 'real get away from it all', rustic-style Eco Hostel set high on Rannoch Moor. Our recently refurbished 20 bed hostel is a superb base to explore this remote wilderness. This is ideal walking country with plenty of low and high level routes including some fine Munros and Corbetts. The hostel can be reached only on foot or from the Glasgow-Fort William train line (1 mile). Its also a haven for wildlife lovers and operates some of the most up to date environmental systems including wind and solar power, grey water, dry toilet systems and even bat friendly paint! Bedlinen is not supplied (please bring your own sleeping bag). Please be environmentally aware and take your litter to the nearest place with proper rubbish collection. Walkers are requested to use footpaths during the stalking season from August to October. 

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