With so many incredible walks and trails to explore in Fort William, Scotland, it can honestly be hard to choose one. However, if you’re not keen on Ben Nevis just yet (I’m sure you’ll eventually get to it), then the Dun Deardail Fort trail in Glen Nevis should be on your list.
Approximately 10.5kms in distance, I would describe this walk as easy-to-moderate but this will all depend on the time of year and the conditions you walk it in.
My first experience hiking the Dun Dearfail Fort trail, as you can tell by the photos in this blog, was in the snow.
You might think that would be off-putting and a little bit on the dangerous side, but I like to think I treat the outdoors with respect and therefore never put myself in deliberate danger.
Furthermore, at just 400ms in elevation, I don’t believe I was in any real threat of getting caught in the conditions.
Besides – worst case scenario – I could always turn back.
History of Dun Deardail Fort
There seems to be quite a bit of mystery as to how the Fort came to be in the first place.
Supposedly built in 500 BC, it is a vitrified iron age Highland hill form sitting upon a grassy knoll on the north facing our of Sghorr Chalum in Glen Nevis.
Occupying a space of 1,250 square metres, the fort’s name may link to the legend of Deirdre of the Sorrows, a central figure in Irish and Scottish mythology celebrated for her beauty and tragic fate.
Her tale is woven with themes of love, betrayal, prophecy, and destiny. In the story, Deirdre fled Ireland with her lover, Naois, seeking refuge in Scotland, where a tower on a hill was built—a symbol of their bond. The legend reflects their passionate yet ill-fated escape, marked by enduring love and inevitable tragedy.
The Dun Deardail Fort Walk
Now, you can begin the start of this walk from two locations:
- The Braveheart car park (where most people start)
- A side track from the Cow Hill circuit
For my first time doing this walk, and because I had no car, I started this walk from the side track of the Cow Hill circuit. This was particularly easy to get to from the centre of Fort William.
I zig-zagged my way up some steep hill sections until I came to the t-intersection of the Cow Hill Circuit and took a left following the various signs pointing towards the Braveheart car park which is the official start of the track.
The section I had just completed, and indeed the remainder of the trail, was well-signed and wide enough to fit 2-3 people abreast.
Head along the wide track from the first signpost and map board until a crossroads with paths; the left route is the West Highland Way leading down to the Nevis Road, and the right turn is the Peat Track up onto Cow Hill.
The Dun Deardail Fort route continues straight ahead along the track.
I must admit that I did get a little confused at first if I was heading in the correct direction but as long as you stay on the straight and narrow for half a kilometre you will be fine and won’t get lost.
Eventually, you’ll come to a point where the path branches off left and right. Take the right and head uphill which will gradually climb giving you good views of the lower end of Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis itself.
The snowy weather hadn’t hammered in just yet so I was still able to catch views of Ben Nevis as I made my way up the path.
The path eventually starts to zig-zag steeply right and left and you will come across various other paths. Ignore them and keep on the gravel path that you’re already on.
Up ahead you will see an incredibly steep hill and you might be forgiven for thinking that it was the path you needed to take to get to the Fort summit. The good news is that it isn’t.
The even better news is that nearby is the beginning of the trail heading to the summit of Dun Deardail Fort. There’s a signpost similar to the one at the trailhead back at the Braveheart car park, as well as a signboard displaying some information about the fort.
By this stage of my journey, the snow had picked up as had the wind but this wasn’t going to deter me from getting to the top.
It’s worth noting that this part of the trail is fairly exposed so walking in conditions such as what I was walking in can make things a little hairy at times. But I was having the time of my life!
I can only imagine what the scenery and views would be like during a walk here in summer or spring.
The trail skirts the edge of the trees before winding uphill over a grassy expanse. It briefly traverses a wooden boardwalk before the final climb to the grassy summit of Dun Deardail.
The Iron Age fort that once stood here featured a vitrified wall – stones fused together by intense heat. Today, it remains as a grassy circular embankment encircling the summit.
A walk around the embankment offers stunning panoramic views, with Ben Nevis towering majestically across the glen, showcasing its full height.
Unfortunately, due to the conditions, even at 400 metres, I was unable to see Ben Nevis at the summit.
Once you’ve had enough time at the top, all you need to do is retrace your steps back to the Braveheart car park.
What I Like About The Dun Deardail Fort Walk
- Due to the various signs, it’s a fairly easy-to-follow walk
- The path is wide enough
- I didn’t get good views of Ben Nevis but the scenery was fantastic
- Most people with a base level of fitness could complete this
How to Get to the Dun Deardail Fort Walk from Fort William
As mentioned, the Dun Deardail Fort Walk is located in Fort William often referred to as the adventure capital of the UK. There are two ways to get to the trailhead.
Without a car
- If you’re staying in Fort William, but don’t have a car, make your way to the Lochaber Leisure Centre which is located on the corner of Bedford Road and Glen Nevis Place. Keep walking towards the base of the hill where there’s a sign directing you to Cow Hill.
- Zig-zag your way up the steep hill and then take a left at the intersection following the path and various signs to the Braveheart car park
With a car
- If you’re staying in Fort William, drive through the roundabout that intersects Bedford Road and North Road and continue heading south-east on the road until you see the Braveheart car park approximately 500m up on your left
As always, if you wish to follow my recording of the Dun Deardail Fort Walk, you can do so via my WikiLoc account.
The Dun Deardail Fort Walk, Glen Nevis – The Stats
Length (km): 10.58kms (according to WikiLoc)
Time: 2hr 34mins
Moving Time: 2hrs
Difficulty: Moderate (Grade 3)
Maximum Elevation: 343m
Accum. elev. uphill: 304m
Accum. elev. downhill: 304m
Return/Loop/One Way: Return
