Cow Hill Circuit and Summit Trail — Place photograph (1 of 3)

Cow Hill Circuit and Summit Trail — Place photograph (2 of 3)

Cow Hill, Fort William, Lochaber, Scottish Highlands

Cow Hill Circuit and Summit Trail

route · Countryside walk

Place photograph

5.5

Wildland

Half day

Time

Check

Cost

Wild

Feel

WoodlandHillsValleyWalkersPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

5.5

A hill walk on the edge of Fort William that trades town streets for woodland, open moorland and a summit beside a prominent mast, with views towards Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range.

Cow Hill makes a rewarding Highland outing without requiring a journey deep into the hills: the waymarked route moves from woodland onto open moorland, then opens out above Fort William towards Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range.

Wild · Big-sky

Find your way

Open map

Cow Hill, Fort William, Lochaber, Scottish Highlands

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

Walk the waymarked trails from the Fort William or Glen Nevis side, climbing through woodland and onto open moorland before reaching the summit area beside the mast. The views take in Fort William, Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range.

Things to do

Walk from woodland onto open moorland

Follow the waymarked trails and notice the change from woodland path to more exposed, open ground as the route climbs.

Reach the summit mast

Continue to the summit area beside the prominent mast, a clear landmark on the hill.

Take in the Highland views

Look out over Fort William, Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range from the summit area.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow a few hours; exact duration is not confirmed by the supplied sources.

Quick Escape: climb to Cow Hill’s summit

01
Start from a reported access point at Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis or from Fort William.
02
Follow the waymarked trail uphill through woodland and onto open moorland.
03
Reach the summit area beside the prominent mast for views towards Fort William, Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range.
04
Return by a route you have confirmed on the ground or with a current map.

Half day · Half day; route duration and distance need checking before setting out.

Make a half day of the Cow Hill circuit

01
Begin from Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis or from Fort William, after checking the chosen start and current route details.
02
Follow the waymarked trails through woodland and up onto open moorland.
03
Continue to the summit area by the mast and pause for the views over Fort William, Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range.
04
Allow time to retrace your route or complete the circuit only if you have confirmed the route on a current map.

When to go

April · May · June · July · August · September · A clear day with enough daylight for the ascent and return; check the forecast before setting out.

Longer daylight in spring and summer gives more flexibility for a hill walk. The supplied sources do not establish a particular seasonal wildlife or floral highlight.

Exposed open-moorland sections can make conditions more demanding. Check the Highland forecast and current ground conditions; no detailed safety or weather guidance is supplied.

The route

surface: Waymarked paths, woodland trail and a peat track are described; confirm current ground conditions.
difficulty: Hill route with an ascent; exact grade not supplied.
waymarking: Waymarked paths are reported.
route shape: Circuit is named in the listing, but route configuration is not detailed in the supplied source.
start point: Reported starts include Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis or Fort William.
parking start: Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis is reported as a starting point; check current parking arrangements.

Woodland paths
Open moorland
Summit area beside a prominent mast
Views towards Fort William, Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range

What to look for

01
Notice the change in character as the trail leaves woodland for open moorland
02
at the summit, look out across Fort William towards Loch Linnhe and the Ben Nevis range.

Best time to go

Spring to autumn for longer daylight and generally easier walking conditions; check the forecast and ground conditions before setting out.

Choose a clear, settled day for the broad summit views. Highland weather can change quickly, so check the forecast before starting.

How long to spend

Half day

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers

Route at a glance

Duration

Half day

Terrain

Woodland, Hills

Parking / start

Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis is reported as a starting point. Confirm current parking arrangements before travelling.

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

RV2R+QV, Fort William PH33 6UL

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.8 · 13 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Waymarked trails climb from the Fort William area through woodland and open moorland to the summit. Reported starting points include Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis and Fort William; check current access and route conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Braveheart car park in Glen Nevis is reported as a starting point. Confirm current parking arrangements before travelling.

Toilets

Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current local guidance before visiting.

Check before visiting