UKH

I've got a week's holiday coming up in Fort William, I'm looking for ideas for walks etc. suitable for young kids. The kids are 3 and 1 - the 3yr-old can manage at least a couple of miles on decent paths and is happy on easy scrambly terrain, but things like heather-bashing or tussocky moorland would slow him down. He'll happily go in a rucksack carrier for a while too on longer routes. (The 1-yr old will be carried.)

Walks with plenty of variety, with summits and with things to explore would all go down well - and we're quite happy to drive out from Fort William if there's a good day out to be had.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!   

A few short walks that spring to mind:

Signal Rock in Glencoe, combine with a visit to the Clachaig Inn. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/signalrock.shtml

Go into Glen Duror with the aim of having a picnic at the bothy. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/argyll/duror.shtml

Go to Aonach Mor, take the gondola up, and walk out to the viewpoints. https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/nevis-range.shtml

Maybe Neptune's Staircase would be interesting for a short bimble to watch boats going through the locks?

A walk up Glen Nevis to the wire bridge. Rivers nice there

Walk round Glencoe Lochan. Plenty of wildlife, good path.

Inchree Falls:

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/glen-righ

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/inchreefalls.shtml

https://www.wildlochaber.com/glencoe/walking/glen-righ-and-inchree-falls

Also maybe Cow Hill if you want accessible summits:

https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/cow-hill

Beach at arisaig or morar.  Not a walk as such, but plenty to explore and could easily rack up a couple of miles

seconded cow hill, and the peat track makes a good circular walk dropping down into glen nevis a well after the top of the hill (dont worry it is no longer peat!).

as beautiful as it is, i would not recommend taking an inquisitive 3 year old on the walk through steal gorge up to the comando bridge! last i was there i watched an excitable dog run straight off of the edge of the track and catrwheel down the slope, coming to a halt hind legs over a cliff drop! the destraught owners very nearly following after it! i would have visions of a small child doing the same... if you are willing to carry said child most of the way though then the meadows beyond make for a lovely little walk.

Some great suggestions above, and I would second the note of caution about the Steall Gorge path. 

There are some lovely beaches out around Morar - about an hour's drive, or you can take the train. 

Thanks all for the suggestions - will look into them. We had wondered about both Glen Nevis and the Aonach Mor gondola, so thanks for the advice. Also wondering about the hidden valley on the Three Sisters.

There are at least four glens on the north side of the road to the Isles (A830), the furthest being at Glenfinnan.

Not a walk but I would recommend the museum in Fort William. I found the staff really friendly, it's free, in a characterful building and is an Aladdin's cave of interesting stuff including an abstract painting which turns out to be a portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

http://www.westhighlandmuseum.org.uk/

Big up the Balamory before you go and take them to Tobermory on Mull via the Lochaline ferry. Drive to Onich and catch the short ferry across Loch Linnhe. Lots of boats and a good beach at Calgary on Mull near Tobermory.

How far afield are you coming from?

Could take the Corran ferry over to Ardgour. Walk up Glen Gour, Cona Glen, Glen Scaddle etc.