The Cow Hill Circuit

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The Cow Hill Circuit: Fort William’s Half-Day Hill Loop

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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HikeList Score

The Cow Hill Circuit scored 83/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Great Hike

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 100
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 83
Accommodation 100
Food & support 54
Path quality 80
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Cow Hill Circuit is a 10.4 km moderate loop above Fort William in Lochaber, Scotland. It is a half-day hill walk, usually taking 3–4 hours, with about 300 m of ascent on good tracks, hill paths and short surfaced sections. It suits hikers wanting a short, waymarked outing with views of Glen Nevis, Loch Linnhe, Loch Eil and the Ben Nevis range, rather than a long-distance trail. Expect steep pulls, muddy ground after rain and an exposed upper hill.

Route Overview

The route is circular and is most often started from Fort William town, at the rear of the Nevis Centre / Lochaber Leisure Centre car park. A common alternative start is Braveheart Car Park in Glen Nevis, just south-west of town. The loop can be walked either way, linking the Peat Track, Sugar Loaf Hill viewpoint, the upper flank of Cow Hill, Glen Nevis-side tracks and woodland descents. No point-to-point transport is needed, though parking at either start may carry a charge. For a bigger Scottish mountain outing, compare the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail; for a longer coastal option, see the Arran Coastal Way.

Cow Hill, the Peat Track and Fort William’s Past

Cow Hill rises directly behind Fort William, a town that developed around a 17th-century garrison fort built to control the Highlands. The Peat Track recalls the time when townsfolk cut peat on the hill and sledged it down for fuel. Sugar Loaf Hill is linked with the Jacobite siege of Fort William in 1745–46. Today the hill is better known as a local viewpoint, with forest and estate tracks forming the modern walking circuit.

Notable highlights

Cow Hill summit viewpoint (287 m): The grassy top is marked by a tall transmitter mast and gives wide views over Fort William, Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, with the Ben Nevis range and Glen Nevis behind.
The Peat Track: This historic hillside track is the steepest, most characterful climb on the circuit, originally associated with sledging cut peat down from the moor.
Sugar Loaf Hill viewpoint: A small grassy knoll tied to Fort William’s military history, with a reputed link to cannon fire during the Jacobite siege of 1745–46.
Glen Nevis and Loch Linnhe views: The circuit looks down Glen Nevis and along Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil towards Corpach, Caol and the wider Lochaber hills.

Challenges to expect

The Cow Hill Circuit is short but not flat. The Peat Track gives a steep ascent, and there is a fair amount of descent on tracks and paths. Mud and boggy patches are likely after rain, especially on natural hill sections. The upper hill is open and exposed in poor weather, with shorter daylight and possible snow or ice in winter. If you want a lower-level coastal contrast, compare the Assynt Coastal Path.

344

Ranked #344 of 974

See the Top 100 →