With easy access to Highland mountains and glens, Fort William is ideal for outdoor adventurers.
With an enviable setting on the shores of Loch Linnhe and surrounded by majestic mountains, it's little wonder that Fort William is known as the "outdoor capital of the UK." Staying in Fort William makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding natural wonders of Lochaber and for heading deeper into the Scottish Highlands. Outdoor adventurers can climb Britain's highest mountain Ben Nevis, explore the remote and unspoiled West Highland Peninsulas and hike the haunting landscapes of Glencoe and along the Great Glen and West Highland Way. Campers have options, too, from well-appointed caravan parks to chalets, glamping pods and lochside tent pitches.
Just south of town and ideally located at the foot of Ben Nevis, Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park is located on a forested Highland estate that spans 1,000 acres and is home to Scotland’s famed wooly Highland cows. The site offers electric and non-electric grass, open-field, hard standing and fully-serviced pitches, as well as camping pods and static caravans.
Two and a half miles north of Fort William’s town center, Ben Nevis Holiday Park is within walking distance of attractions including the Ben Nevis Distillery and Neptune’s Staircase, Britain’s longest staircase lock. The site has views of Ben Nevis from its grass and electric hard standing pitches for tents and motorhomes/campervans, and also offers a selection of static caravans and holiday lodges.
Five miles north of Fort William, the village of Corpach lies on the north shore of Loch Linnhe, where it becomes Loch Eil. Otters, seals and porpoises are often seen here. The village has a range of accommodation options and staying here has the benefit of a quieter experience than in Fort William and fantastic views of Ben Nevis from the shoreline. Lochside grass and hardstanding pitches are available at Linnhe Lochside Holidays, as well as static caravans, chalets and lodges.
June through October is Fort William’s busiest season, which can mean crowded trails and booked-up sites. If you want to avoid the crowds, spring is a good time to visit. The landscape will be lush and, while the temperature will be cool, you’ll still be able to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and kayaking. You can climb Ben Nevis year-round, but only very experienced climbers should tackle it in the winter.