Great Glen Way

Fort William to Gairlochy

The route starts in Fort William, on the shores of Loch Linnhe and in the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Views of the mountain and its fearsome North Face cliffs can be seen over much of this section, weather permitting. The route leaves the shores of Loch Linnhe, heading inland past Neptune’s Staircase, a series of locks near the strait of the Caledonian canal. From here the route takes the riverside path and canal towpath to highland villages of Gairlochy, at the foot of Loch Lochy.

Gairlochy to South Laggan

This 13 mile section follows the northern bank of Loch Lochy for its entire length. It is characterised by fairly easy walking on forestry tracks, footpaths and minor roads. There are spectacular views over Loch Lochy to the high mountains beyond.

South Laggan to Invermoriston

The canal towpath and old railway track bed take the route along the tree clad shores of Loch Oich, a nature reserve resplendent with native woodlands and wild flowers. There are views across the Loch to the ruins of Invergarry Castle, once the seat of the famous MacDonnells clan. Fort Augustus, established by General Wade in 1729, is soon reached. St Benedicts Abbey and cruises on Loch Ness provide diversions here.

Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit

After a steep climb out of Invermoriston with fine views of Loch Ness, you will walk on steep undulating forest tracks until Grotaig. From here the trail changes to moorland and farmland with views over the Great Glen and onwards to Drumnadrochit, known locally as “Drum.” You could take a rest day here to visit the impressive Urquhart Castle and cruise on the mighty Loch Ness.

Drumnadrochit to Inverness

Today will be the most challenging day of all your walks. It is a long and varied day walking on exposed high moorland, farmland and woodland, finishing on the rural paths of Ness Islands before viewing the impressive setting of Inverness Castle, where this walk finishes.

Moderate

The Great Glen Way is a very appealing walk on good terrain. It is easier than the West Highland Way as it is less strenuous, but it still requires good planning and preparation. No problem for regular walkers!

Terrain: The route generally follows the Caledonian Canal, loch shores, and well made forest trails on the lower slopes.

What’s it like underfoot? Pretty good. Well maintained canal towpaths and forest tracks. Shorter sections can be rougher or muddy, so good footwear is essential.

How Much Up & Down? Amazingly little considering the size of the surrounding mountains! Some short steep ascents and a longer climb of 300m to Blackfold on the final day.

Signposting: Generally good, but use you map and guidebook as well.

Navigation: Pretty straightforward. You may encounter hill fog on the moorland around Blackfold, but the route is well defined.

Weather: You may be lucky enough to encounter warm, dry weather over the whole route and enjoy dry paths and tremendous views, but you must be prepared because the weather can change quickly. Good clothing and waterproofs essential!

Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.

We use a variety of accommodation. Over the course of your trip you might stay in a village inn, a bed and breakfast in a converted barn, a Victorian guest house, or on a working farm. In selecting the accommodation we look for helpful, friendly hosts with good quality, characterful accommodation close to the trail. Occasionally we may use a chain hotel.

We always try to arrange en suite accommodation, i.e. rooms with their own bathrooms for each night of your stay. However, in some of the more remote locations accommodation is limited and occasionally we may have to book rooms with shared bathrooms for one or two nights of your holiday, (especially if the booking is made at short notice), but we will always let you know if this is likely to be the case.

We are happy to book single rooms on our holidays but cannot normally book more than two for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.

Here are some examples of the accommodation we use on the Great Glen Way:

Myrtle Bank, a charming Victorian villa dating from the 1890s, enjoys a prime location by Loch Linnhe in Fort William, and is just a short walk from the lively town centre. With welcoming hosts, first-class facilities, and stunning views over the loch towards the Ardgour hills, it’s the perfect base for exploring the UK’s outdoor capital. Visit their website

Bank House, a traditional Victorian stone property built in 1904, offers warm Highland hospitality in the heart of Fort Augustus. Overlooking the Caledonian Canal and close to Loch Ness, its charming location is perfect for exploring. With nearby shops, pubs, and boat trips, guests will enjoy a memorable stay. Visit their website

Bracarina House, nestled in picturesque Invermoriston, provides inviting and spacious accommodation. Guests enjoy well-appointed en suite bedrooms, thoughtfully designed with coordinated furnishings throughout. With its warm atmosphere and scenic surroundings, it’s an ideal base for a relaxing Highland escape. Visit their website

Morlea Bed and Breakfast in Drumnadrochit offers a welcoming blend of modern comfort and rustic charm. Perfectly situated in the heart of the village, it provides cosy rooms for unwinding after exploring Loch Ness and the stunning Highland landscapes. With its warm hospitality, Morlea is an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit their website

General travel information on the Great Glen Way area will be in your holiday pack including train and bus timetables where available.

Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.

To view train times please visit trainline where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline

If you require secure car parking whilst walking this route, please contact us for information.

Getting to Fort William:
By Air: The nearest international airport is Glasgow (GLA). There is a regular shuttle bus into Glasgow city centre (approx 25 mins). From Glasgow city centre there plenty of direct trains to Fort William. You can travel by train straight from the airport if you wish; it just makes your journey time slightly longer.
By Public Transport: Fort William has a railway station. Most services will pass through Glasgow (GLA).
By Road: From Glasgow in Scotland, Fort William is 108 miles north – approximately 2.5 hours by car. For Glasgow travel on the M6 north then the A74(M). For the most direct route to Fort William from Glasgow, follow this sequence of roads: A81, A804, M8, M898, A898, A82.

Returning from Inverness:
By Public Transport: To return to Fort William there is a Scottish Citylink bus service number 919 from Inverness. Inverness has a railway station for onward travel by train.
By Road: When traveling back into England or Wales, head for either Edinburgh (157 miles) or Glasgow (171 miles) depending on the direction of your final destination.

Fort William

Fort William is the capital of the West Highlands, situated at the head of Loch Linnhe. It’s not the prettiest of towns, but there are a good number of shops, and some good outdoor stores to browse around or buy new gear. A lot of people take an extra day here to climb Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain (1344m / 4409ft). It’s a long day, and the weather can be harsh, so make sure you are fit and prepared!

Fort Augustus

Fort Augustus is a lovely place, centred around a dramatic flight of lochs taking the Caledonian Canal down to Loch Ness. You can take a boat trip on Loch Ness, keeping a lookout for the famous Monster! There are some good places to eat or relax with a coffee.