Walking BritainThe Lost Valley, Glen Coe
Highland Walk
County/Area - Highland - Fort William Lochaber
Author - Mike Bexley
Length - 4.2 miles / 6.8 km Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres
Time - 3 hours 30 minutes Grade - easy/mod
Maps 
| Ordnance Survey Explorer 384 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer 384 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 41 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 41 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
Although this is a very short low-level walk, this large hidden valley and the approach to it is worth the visit. Legends tell of stolen cattle and marauding gangs hiding in this valley. Just one word of caution. Early into the walk there is a ravine on the left of the path. My son slipped here and we nearly had a major problem. The rest of the walk presents no exceptional problems.
The start is from the viewpoint on the road through Glencoe (Grid ref. NN171568). Proceed down to the old military road turning left then right to drop down to the footbridge that can be seen from the start. Go over this bridge, which crosses over the Allt Doir-bheith, this place is named 'The Meeting of the Three Waters'.
Then follow the well-defined path that gradually climbs up the glen by the burn named Allt Coire Gabhail. At times this burns vanishes underground. Your first sight of the valley is amazing. You can continue to follow the feint path that runs up the valley to the foot of the mountains ahead or just explore the valley. It's certainly a beautiful place so don't rush back. Your return route is to retrace the path back.
Other walks nearby
| Walk 2955 | Ridges & peaks of Bidean Nam Bian | very hard | 10.5 miles |
| Walk 2808 | Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coe | hard | 9.0 miles |
| Walk 2819 | Stob na Broige, Buchaille Etive Mor, Glen Coe | mod/hard | 6.1 miles |
| Walk 1496 | WHW - Day 6 - Kinlocheven to Fort William | moderate | 15.0 miles |
| Walk 3010 | Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mor) from Altnafeadh | mod/hard | 4.0 miles |
| Walk 3269 | The Munros of Buachaille Etive Mor | mod/hard | 8.2 miles |
| Walk 3118 | Sgor na h'Ulaidh from Achnachon, Glen Coe | mod/hard | 8.0 miles |
| Walk 3106 | Binnein Mor from Kinlochleven | hard | 10.2 miles |
| Walk 1039 | Am Bodach and Stob Coire a' Chairn | mod/hard | 9.5 miles |
| Walk 1094 | Blackwater Reservoir | moderate | 11.5 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking the Munros Vol 2 - Northern Highlands and the Cairngorms
Guidebook to walking the northern Munros, covering the northern Highlands, the Cairngorms and the Isle of Skye. 70 routes are described, including those up Ben Macdui, Braeriach and Cairn Gorm. Routes range from 7 to 46km, requiring a fair level of fitness. The second of two guidebooks to walking Scotland's Munros: peaks higher than 3000ft.
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Great Mountain Days in Scotland
Inspirational guidebook to 50 challenging routes for mountaineers, scramblers, hillwalkers and fell runners, many long enough to backpack over 2 days, especially in winter (12 to 25 miles). A mix of classic routes and unsung gems across Scotland from Galloway to the Outer Hebrides in widely differing wild landscapes. With customised OS mapping.
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