Hiking the Lost Valley Walk (Coire Gabhail) in Glencoe

Glencoe is one of the most beautiful areas in the Scotland highlands and should be on every bucket list. Although you can enjoy the stunning views from scenic drives and roadside viewpoints, hiking is one of the best ways to experience everything Glencoe offers.

One of the hikes on the top of our bucket list for Glencoe was the Lost Valley Walk (Coire Gabhail). I read amazing reviews about the hike, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint because the views were stunning!

If you want to hike the Lost Valley Walk, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about hiking the Lost Valley Walk in Glencoe. Get ready to add this beautiful hike to your bucket list!

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Lost Valley Walk (Coire Gabhail) Overview

Lost Valley Walk Length and Difficulty

The Lost Valley Walk in Glencoe is 4 miles round trip with about 1,100 feet of elevation. The trail gains most of its elevation during the last half of the first mile where the trail ascends steeply to the top of the valley. This section of the trail gains about 800 feet of elevation in a half-mile, making you work for the views.

Although the Lost Valley Walk is steep, the trail is well-maintained and has stone steps helping you ascend the steepest sections. The views once you are out of the forest are stunning and make the effort worth it!

Lost Valley Walk Parking

The Lost Valley Walk shares the same parking lot as the Three Sisters Viewpoint along A82. The parking lot is pretty small and fills up quickly. We arrived around 10 AM and had to park down the street because the lot was full.

Because the Three Sisters Viewpoint is a popular area to stop and the Lost Valley Walk is one of the most hiked trails in Glencoe, the parking lot fills up quickly. I recommend arriving first thing in the morning to get a spot and enjoy the hike with fewer crowds.

Best Time to Hike the Lost Valley Walk

Although you can hike to the Lost Valley Walk year-round, I recommend enjoying it in the warmer months. The highlands in Scotland are known to be wet, with about 265 days a year of rain, and the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter.

April, May, and June tend to be the driest months. We visited in May, and it only rained one day during our week in Scotland. Although Glencoe had moody weather for the few days we were there, we enjoyed the Lost Valley Walk without any rain.

What to Pack for the Hike

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

Lost Valley Walk (Coire Gabhail) Hiking Guide

**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.

The Lost Valley Walk is one of the most popular hikes in Glencoe, for good reason! The views of the valley and surrounding mountains are stunning. Although the trail is steep, making you work for the views, the effort is worth it!

The Lost Valley Walk trailhead is in the same parking lot as the Three Sisters Viewpoint along A82. Although we started our hike later in the morning around 10 AM, the parking lot was full, so we had to find parking further down the road. Despite the parking lot being full, we did not come across as many hikes along the Lost Valley Walk as we anticipated.

The trail begins on the right side of the parking area and travels along a well-maintained path towards the mountains for almost a half-mile. This section of the trail has stunning views of the Three Sisters and was honestly one of my favorite parts of the hike.

The trail soon reaches the trees and descends steeply along a set of stairs before crossing a river. The trail crosses a bridge above a beautiful gorge before heading into the woods and beginning the steep ascent.

As soon as you cross the river, the trail ascends an incredibly steep, rocky trail. The rock is smooth, so I recommend using the chain along the side to help with the ascent.

Over the next half-mile on the Lost Valley Walk, the trail ascends steeply. It begins traveling through a forest before breaking through from the treeline and ascending a steep ridge. The trail has many rock stairs, making it a bit easier to climb this steep section.

During this steep section, the trail comes to a junction. You can hike in either direction because both loop back together before the viewpoint. We took the right trail to ascend higher onto the ridge before traveling to the viewpoint. If you continue to the left, the trail follows along the river with a few steep drop-offs along its edge.

No matter which way you hike, the trails eventually connect just before the valley viewpoint. The last push on the Lost Valley Walk is steep, but once you arrive at the viewpoint, you will see why the effort was worth it!

The views from the viewpoint are stunning of the valley and surrounding mountains. Most people we saw stopped here to enjoy a snack before turning around, but we decided to hike a bit further into the valley, which was fun! If you have the time, I recommend it.

The Lost Valley Walk descends into the valley along what looks like a dried riverbed. The views of the towering mountains on either side of the valley were beautiful! We spent some time exploring the valley before turning around and making our way back towards the parking lot.

On the way back, we took the other side of the loop that follows along the river. This section of the trail was beautiful with a few small waterfalls, but the trail quickly became narrow with a steep dropoff on the right near the river. The trail had a few eroded sections that made it a bit precarious, but overall, we did not have any issues hiking along this section.

Soon enough, we were on the last mile of the trail descending towards the river. We passed many people who started their hike around noon, and the trail was packed when we finished. We were thankful to have started when we did. If we started early in the morning, I assume it would have been even less crowded.

Once you hike the Lost Valley Walk, you will see why it is one of the most popular hikes in Glencoe! The views are stunning, and it is a fun hike to add to your Scotland itinerary.

If you want to hike the Lost Valley Walk, you are in the right place! This guide has everything to help you plan a fun hike along the Lost Valley Walk in Glencoe.