The Hidden Valley of Glen Coe
Exploring the Hidden Valley in Glencoe
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
The Hidden Valley, also known as Coire Gabhail, is a stunning and mysterious location nestled within the breathtakingly beautiful Glencoe in the Scottish Highlands. This valley was once used by the MacDonald clan to hide their stolen cattle, and its rugged terrain and steep slopes made it an ideal place to conceal their ill-gotten gains.
Today, the Hidden Valley is a popular destination for hikers and practically all visitors of Scotland! It’s a few hours hike there and then a few more back. This is certainly not a route for anyone with mobility issues but an incredible hike for those who are willing to put in a little work!
At Scotland’s Wild, our friendly, story-telling guides have led thousands of trips through Scotland. We share history, legends and tales to entice people to visit this incredible country!
If you’d like to check-out our selection of tours, from day trips to island hopping multi-day adventures - click here.
Getting To Glen Coe
Regardless of if you’re going to hike the Hidden Valley, Glen Coe itself is STUNNING. Truly, it’s one of our tour guides favourite locations in Scotland and we frequently take visitors there on day and multi-day tours - there’s always a big “WOAH” in the back of the van when we come into Glen Coe.
The nearest town is Ballachulish, which is approximately 10 miles away but public transport does stop at the Three Sisters Viewpoint (An ideal place to park and start the trail) and at various other points throughout the valley. We would recommend taking a car though as public transport can be unpredictable.
There are several car parks located near the entrance to the valley, although these can become busy during peak season. It's also possible to reach the Hidden Valley via a hiking trail that starts from the Glencoe Visitor Centre.
Hiking in the Hidden Valley
Hiking in the Hidden Valley is a unique and rewarding experience, but it's important to be prepared for the challenging terrain. The valley is surrounded by steep mountains, and the trail can be rocky and uneven in places. The hike to the Hidden Valley can take several hours, depending on your fitness level and pace, but the stunning views and sense of adventure make it well worth the effort.
Although we don’t actually guide specific group tours into the Hidden Valley, we do organise private tours there for hiking enthusiasts looking for a more personal tour throughout Scotland. You can check out custom private tours here.
Make sure to bring your hiking boots, waterproof gear during most (if not all) of the year and some water + snacks.
You’ll LOVE this hike and as a side-story, one of our tour guides proposed in this very valley - an idyllic spot, we think.
Where to stay
There are several accommodation options available near the Hidden Valley, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and self-catering cottages. The nearby town of Ballachulish has a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and cafes, and there are several outdoor activity providers in the area who offer guided tours and adventure activities.
For our tours we often will travel either up and back to Glencoe in a day or stop while driving through up towards the Isle of Skye on a multi-day trip.
So for that, most of the accommodation we use is in Fort William or on the Isle of Skye itself. Check out some of the Isle of Skye tours to get a real good mix of everything Scotland has to offer!
