Steall Waterfall Walk With Kids: Scotland’s most epic Short Hike
The Steall Waterfall walk was one of the highlights of our Scottish Highlands road trip and one of the best short family walks in Scotland.
This trail is deservedly popular. Hidden deep in Glen Nevis, near Fort William, this hike delivers dramatic mountain scenery, a rope bridge, stepping stones and woodland trails strewn with boulders, all within just a few kilometres.
The final destination, Steall Bàn (Gaelic for ‘the white spout’), is a magnificent 120m waterfall — the second highest waterfall in Britain.
We had zero complaints from our three children on the Steall falls hike, which felt like an adventure from start to finish. They loved the wire bridge, mountain scenery and rugged paths, which made them feel like they were exploring rather than “on another walk”.
This guide will show you exactly how to plan your visit, including how to get there, parking, what the trail is like and our top tips for hiking the Steall Waterfall walk with kids.
Steall Falls Walk Quick Guide
- Distance: 4km return
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Parking: Steall Waterfall car park (free). Post Code: PH33 6SY
- Pushchair suitable: No
- Facilities: None
- Time needed: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Best for: Families with older children, adventurous walkers and waterfall lovers
Disclaimer: All walks featured on this site are completed at your own risk. Please assess weather conditions, route suitability and your group’s abilities before setting out. Trail conditions can change quickly and extra care should always be taken around steep drops, rivers and uneven terrain. We are not liable for any personal injury, loss or damage that may occur.
Is Steall Waterfall worth visiting?
Absolutely Yes. The Steall Falls hike is deservedly popular as one of the best waterfall walks in Scotland. The mountain scenery is breathtaking throughout, with lots of variety packed into a relatively short hike.
However, the walk has become extremely popular in recent years. To enjoy this walk and help protect the area (and your sanity), there are a few things you need to consider when timing and planning your visit, which we’ll walk you through below.
The Logistics
Where Is Steall Waterfall?
Steall Falls is found deep within Glen Nevis, just 7 miles from Fort William. To access both the upper and lower car parks, follow the Glen Nevis road, passing the Ben Nevis visitor centre (toilets and café), Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, and Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park.
Keep your eyes open for Highland cows along the road, which are often spotted near the youth hostel.
Getting To Steall Falls: Parking Tips
There are two car parks to choose from, both found at the end of the Glen Nevis road.
The shortest walk starts from the free Upper Steall Waterfall car park (Postcode PH33 6SY). There are no facilities here.
The narrow single-track access road to the Upper car park can quickly become congested, particularly during summer and school holidays, and the car park only holds around 40 vehicles.
If possible, visit outside peak season or arrive before 9am or later in the afternoon during busy periods. Be prepared to change plans if the car park is full, and never park along the roadside.
The second option is to park at the Lower Falls car park, which is larger and has toilet facilities. Starting the walk from here makes the total hike around 5.5 miles/ 9km in total.
What Is The Steall Waterfall Walk Like?
This guide covers the shorter walk from the upper car park.
If you start the walk from the lower car park, begin the route by following the river path. Try this 9.5km AllTrails Steall Falls circular route, part of which is covered in the shorter route below.
To begin the hike from the upper car park, follow the clear path at the end of the car park through ancient woodland. Simply continue on this path for around a kilometre.
The trail passes trickling waterfalls, moss-covered rocks and ancient woodland, before weaving its way between and over huge boulders.
Eventually, the landscape opens out into Steall meadow, whose beauty genuinely took my breath away. Here, the tranquil River Nevis meanders through the vast, grassy meadow surrounded by dramatic mountains, with Steall Falls cascading down the cliffs on the opposite side of the river.
Follow the path through the meadow, until you reach the river. There is a small set of setpping stones to cross on the way.
Once you reach the river, you have three options:
- stop and admire the falls from a short distance away
- cross the river via the famous wire rope bridge
- wade across the river itself
The Famous Steall Falls Wire Rope Bridge
To reach the falls themselves and experience the water up close, you need to cross the River Nevis.
During our visit, the water was calm and tranquil, but still too deep to cross without getting wet feet. Water shoes would be useful if you plan to cross the river.
For adventurous visitors, there is a wire rope bridge consisting of three steel ropes — one to walk on and two handrails on either side.
Our teenage daughter loved crossing the bridge, although our younger boys were too small to comfortably reach the ropes. They were happy to admire the falls from a distance and play in the meadow while we attempted the crossing.
This is a fun and very memorable addition to the walk, but if heights aren’t your thing, I’d avoid it. The walk is still incredible without the final short section to the foot of the falls.
To complete the walk, simply retrace your steps back to the car park.
What to pack for the Steall Falls walk
There are no facilities or toilets at Steall Falls (except at the Lower car park), so come prepared with everything you need:
- Drinking water and food
- Waterproofs
- Sturdy footwear such as walking boots.
- Warm layers, even in summer
- A small first-aid kit
If you want to cross the river on foot, water shoes or wellies are recommended, as the riverbed is rocky and uneven. Take extreme care, particularly with children.
Warning: The information board at the start of the walk carries the following warning – “The path through the gorge is uneven, rocky and slippery with a steep drop on one side. Take extreme care as fatal accidents have happened here. Wear appropriate footwear and keep children and dogs away from steep edges.”
Was Steall Waterfall In Harry Potter?
Yes! Steall Waterfall appeared in several Harry Potter scenes, including as part of the backdrop for the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and for scenes around the Quidditch pitch in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
For Harry Potter fans, this can easily be combined with a visit to nearby Glenfinnan and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
What Next after visiting Steall Falls
After morning hike, we spent an excellent afternoon riding the Nevis Range Gondola to play in the snow. Our Scotland Road Trip Itinerary contains all our top tips for family activities around Fort William.
FAQs about the Steall Waterfall Hike
How Long Does It Take To Walk The Steall Waterfall?
From 1.5 – 2 hours for the shorter hike from the upper car park. The longer hike from the lower car park can take half a day.
What Should You Pack For The Steall Falls Walk?
Sturdy hiking shoes are essential for this hike, which includes uneven, muddy and slippery ground, plus numerous boulders to clamber over. Bring food, water, waterproofs and warm layers, as there are no facilities on the trail.
Is The Steall Waterfall Walk Worth It With Kids?
Absolutely. Our kids rated this as their favourite walk in Scotland. It’s a relatively short, but adventurous walk with a huge variety of dramatic scenery.
Is Steall falls worth it in the rain?
The Steall Falls walk can actually be even more impressive in the rain, as the waterfall becomes more powerful after heavy rainfall. However, the paths may become muddy and slippery, so take extra care.
