It lies in the north of the county of Argyll, close to the border with the historic province of Lochaber, within the modern council area of Highland.

A 2010 review by Scottish Natural Heritage into the special qualities of Scotland's National scenic areas listed the "soaring, dramatic splendour of Glen Coe", and "the suddenness of the transition between high mountain pass and the lightly wooded strath" as being of note.

Thirty-eight men from Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were killed by government forces who were billeted with them on the grounds that they had not been prompt in pledging allegiance to the new monarchs, William and Mary.

The ridge is crossed at the eastern end by the Devil's Staircase, an old military road opposite Buachaille Etive Mòr.

About 2 km (1.2 mi) to the west, on the southern shore of the loch, is the village of Ballachulish,[6] known in the past for its slate quarries, which have been worked since 1693.

The caldera forming eruptions took place about 420 million years ago during the Silurian period, and the volcano has long since become extinct.

A caldera is a volcanic process in which a circular fault allows a section of crust to sink, leading to magma being forced to the surface at the periphery.

The upland parts of the glen are one of the best habitats for alpine and sub-alpine plants in Lochaber, due to the underlying geology and range of altitude.

Typical plants found on the highest slopes of the glen include lady's mantle, Sibbaldia procumbens and areas of willow scrub and Racomitrium lanuginosum moss-heath.

In the lower areas of the glen bog myrtle, cotton grass, butterwort, sundew and bladderwort are to be found.

[16][20] The peaks of the glen are home to snow bunting and ptarmigan, and the area also supports buzzards and golden eagles.

Further excavations and surveys in 2021-2022 in Gleann Leac-na-Muidhe, directed by Dr Edward Stewart of the University of Glasgow, investigated this shieling landscape, and uncovered features including charcoal burning platforms, peat cuttings, shieling huts, a whisky stilling site and a chiefly hunting lodge.

In 2002, Alistair MacDonald of Glencoe made a successful eleventh-hour bid, and purchased the remaining lands of Lord Strathcona from his descendants.

The Trust stated that it would not prevent local businesses from continuing to use the name; however, they were accused of heavy-handedness when an attempt was made to stop Hilltrek, a company based in Aberdeenshire, from selling a "Glencoe" waterproof jacket.

[31] Hamish MacInnes, veteran of Mount Everest expeditions, climbing consultant for such films as The Eiger Sanction and a mountain rescue pioneer, was a well-known resident of Glencoe.

[36] One such company used the Oscars to advertise themselves by giving away titles of land ownership to such celebrities as Billie Eilish, Benedict Cumberbatch and Jessica Chastain.

It is famous for the quality, and variety of its winter climbing, most of its routes being comparatively easy to access from the main road.

Noted climbing venues include Buachaille Etive Mòr (1,018 m), often called simply "The Beuchle", and various routes on the Three Sisters (shoulders of Bidean nam Bian).

[6] There are also routes on the Bidean nam Bian (1,150 m) massif which forms a complex Y-shaped hill with several lesser tops, including Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1,072 m) which also has Munro status.

[44] Many walkers come to Glen Coe on the West Highland Way following the old military road over Rannoch Moor which crosses the River Etive at the Kings House Hotel.

[45] The famous Clachaig Inn, a pub much favoured by climbers and hillwalkers, is sited at the bend in the glen about 3 km (1.9 mi) from Glencoe village.

[6] Wild camping is permitted in certain areas of the Glen, in accordance with the Scottish outdoor access code and the principles specified by Percy Unna.

"In the middle of the vale runs 'the roaring stream of Cona', the mountain of Malmor rises on the south side, and the celebrated Dun-Fionn'—'the hill of Fingal' on the north.