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After years of the Alps I'm taking mini-likes-food to Fort William for a week late July/early August. We're Planning to walk (a bit as at 10 he's not so keen), MTB and generally have outdoor fun.
He can ride (pisted blacks in Les Arcs, Reds in Tignes/Val Disere) is happy on D grade alpine via ferrata and is pretty adventuresome. Scrambling would be great, but I'm not confident enough with rope movement to head off just me and him (we climb indoors but not outside and my mountainering experience was 20 years ago and very 'studenty'!).
Any tips on things to do would be gratefully received. I'm planning on booking in a the Glen Nevis Hostel so hopefully he'll meet other kids but I don't know the area at all so other than the Gondola DH trail and walking up Ben Nevis (in t shirt and flip flops obviously) I don't have any plans. Google has obviously helped with ideas but I'd appreciate advise from people who've been up there or know the area.
Thanks in advance.
10 years old. Not sure what 10 Ur old is. Stupid phone!
Top Tip - Smidge
Additionally, there is a via ferrata in Kinlochleven at The Grey Mare’s Tail. Haven’t been on it myself but some of the MRT guys use it to play on and have said it’s good. Ice Factor or 3WM for indoor climbing. On a dry day Curved Ridge is a nice scramble and doesn’t need a rope, but obviously I don’t know your lads ability or head for heights! Lost Valley is also a nice walk, not too long (maybe 45mins to an hour from the car park to the valley) and a bit adventurey (rather than just a plod), just need to take care on one particular bit.
A 10 year old boy and you've not mentioned the Glenfinnan Viaduct yet?
Sorry! Forgot about that 😀
The treetop ropes course at Nevis Range is good fun, a wee bit of climbing around, and zip wires.
For walking, head up to the end of Glen Nevis, then path to Steall Falls. Fairly short walk, but great scenery etc.
Worth a day out to the Small Isles. Eigg if you want some easy cycling along quiet roads. Or Rùm if you want something a bit wilder, with proper mountains.
Or sea kayaking at Arisaig.
Camasdarach beach is worth a play, watch Harry Potter, Inspector Picacho before you arrive and go looking for locations “Glen Nevis” Glencoe lochan is a nice wee walk, find a nice secluded bit of shore, gather fire wood and toast marshmallows. Go for a spin on the fast rib Loch Leven, Segway Dragons tooth, cinema should be open by then, Museum, bring a rod and have a go at sea fishing who knows what you might get!
Brilliant, thanks all, will research all those ideas and bulk buy smidge!
Totally sea kayaking at Arisaig. They do half day trips in the bay and very high chance of seeing seals. They do longer trips (such as a one night wild camp) - just need to speak to them about age limits. I don’t know the answer as we did it as 2 adults.
A cracking walk for a ten year old rather than the plod up the usual Ben track just walk to the top of Carn Mor Dearg no need to do the ridge walk as he is only ten and too much , best views of Ben Nevis on a clear day although still a tough walk , midges might be out in force lower down in the woods
'Harry Potter'steam train to Mallaigh.
Vertical Descents the company who run the via ferrata at Kinlochleven also do canyoneering at Inchree halfway between Fort William and Kinlochleven. The Nts Glencoe, run a guided walk /activity programme some of it is designed for kids. There's a similar programme for Glen Nevis too. Neptune's staircase at Banavie is worth a look and it's a nice cycle from there to Gairloch and back by the canal towpath or quiet singletrack Road..I would say the road can quickly get busy if there is an accident on the main A82. Loch Loch or the canal are also good for canoeing on more sheltered water.
If staying in Glen Nevis I highly recommend a walk right up to and beyond the end of the glen, nothing challenging but when you get past the short rocky section it opens up into the hidden glen, truly beautiful and away from the crowds.
Other than that,
Train to Mallaig Is a pretty good day out, though not a lot to see in Mallaig, you may be able to get a boat to go seal or even whale watching ( not sure of time of year is best for those )
Bivvy in upper Glen Nevis swim in the pools dotted about the valley take a pouch of blood each.
Wet weather option Cruachan Power Station
^ Cruachan is really good
Ben Cruachan is 60 miles away
It’s an easy day trip from FW, and you can stop off in Oban for tea on the way home. He’s got a week, it’s gonna piss it down for at least one day.
Oban isn't on the route from Cruachan to Fort William.
I'd avoid Fort William all together, so many tourists that it is ruined now.
Gordons post above - Gairloch=Gairlochy etc
A night in Invermallie bothy with pished fishermen is always a hoot.
You can still stop there though, it’s only five minutes from Connel 🙄