Lochaber
Mamores / Steall Falls — Parking
Glen Nevis Road End Car Park (Steall) · Grid ref NN 167 691 · Pay-and-display — check the charge on site
Quick facts
- Grid reference
- NN 167 691
- Spaces
- A small car park at the end of the public road; sources disagree on how many cars it holds, so treat it as small.
- Cost
- Pay-and-display — check the charge on site
- Surface
- gravel
- Drive from Glasgow
- 2h 50m
- Drive from Edinburgh
- 2h 50m
Parking charge: Pay-and-display — check the charge on site. Highland Council approved mandatory charging at "Glen Nevis, Road End" (and at Achintee Road End) with an Order that "will prohibit overnight parking between 10:00pm and 8:00am"; the council said it hoped charges would begin in June/July 2026 and published no tariff (highland.gov.uk news, 14 May 2026, read 28 Oct 2026).
From the car park
From the car park the path enters the dramatic Nevis Gorge immediately — a narrow defile carved by the river through ancient Caledonian pine. The rocky path follows the gorge for 1.5km before opening into the upper glen (An Steall) with the 120m Steall Falls visible ahead. The wire bridge crossing is optional and recommended only for those comfortable with exposed crossing on metal cables.
The walk
The Steall Falls walk (5km return, 150m ascent) is one of the most spectacular low-level routes in Scotland. The upper glen reveals a vast hidden meadow flanked by the Mamores peaks. For experienced hillwalkers, the Ring of Steall circuit takes in four Munros (An Garbhanach, Am Bodach, Stob Coire a' Chàirn, Na Gruagaichean) in a long ridge traverse requiring a full day, scrambling experience and good navigation.
Planning more than the car park? The full glen guide — walks, waterfalls & history →
Facilities
- Information boards
Busy times
The car park is small and fills quickly on summer mornings, and if it is full the only real alternative is driving back down the glen to the Visitor Centre. The gorge path is most pleasant before 11am. The Ring of Steall is never as congested as Ben Nevis but sees a steady flow of Munro baggers on summer weekends.
Getting here without a car
High Life Highland say that "during the summer months Shiel Busses operate a limited service via their N41 route" up Glen Nevis (read 28 Oct 2026); we have not confirmed that it runs as far as the Road End, so check the timetable with Shiel Buses. Fort William itself is on the West Highland Line and on Scottish Citylink routes from Glasgow.
Winter access
The single-track road through Glen Nevis is not gritted and becomes icy after overnight frost. The gorge path itself can be very slippery in icy conditions — trekking poles strongly recommended. In heavy snow, the upper glen approach becomes an avalanche risk zone. Steall Falls partially or fully freezes in sustained cold spells — a spectacular sight but the path requires careful travel.
Overflow parking
Limited roadside space. Do not block the passing places. The main Glen Nevis Visitor Centre car park (NN 123 730) is several kilometres back down the glen and charges £8 a day (High Life Highland, read 28 Oct 2026).
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:27
- Sunset
- 16:41
- Civil dawn
- 06:46
- Civil dusk
- 17:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How far is it to Steall Falls from the lower Glen Nevis car park?
- Steall Falls is approximately 2.5km from the lower car park (NN 167 691), making it a 5km return walk with about 150m of ascent through the dramatic Nevis Gorge. Allow 2–3 hours for a leisurely return trip.
- Is the wire bridge at Steall safe to cross?
- The wire bridge at Steall (a three-cable crossing over the Water of Nevis) is generally safe for those comfortable with exposed crossings, but it is not suitable for young children without assistance or anyone with a fear of heights. It sways in use — face the bank and slide feet carefully.
- Is the Steall (Road End) car park still free?
- No longer, on Highland Council's published plan. The council approved mandatory charging at the Glen Nevis Road End, with no overnight parking between 10pm and 8am, and said it hoped charges would begin in June/July 2026. It has published no tariff that we could find (read 28 Oct 2026), so read the signs on arrival. The main Glen Nevis Visitor Centre car park, back down the glen, charges £8 a day (High Life Highland). The Road End is small and fills quickly.
- What is the Ring of Steall?
- The Ring of Steall is a demanding Munro ridge circuit in the Mamores taking in four summits: An Garbhanach, Am Bodach, Stob Coire a' Chàirn and Na Gruagaichean. It is a full day for fit and experienced hillwalkers with scrambling ability. It starts and finishes at the Glen Nevis Road End car park.
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