Great Glen Way - Walking

Arrive Fort William

Fort William to Gairlochy 11 miles, 17.6km 4-5 hours, up/down 50m.

The first stage offers easy walking alongside the Caledonian Canal which shows many interesting features including Neptune’s Staircase and excellent views of Ben Nevis. The route begins at the Old Fort in Fort William, under the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain. From here it skirts the shores of Loch Linnhe to join the historic Caledonian Canal at Corpach. It is then that the journey along Scotland’s longest Glen and greatest geological fault begins.

Gairlochy to Laggan 12 miles, 19km, 5 hours, up/down 50m.

Today the route runs along the peaceful western shores of Loch Lochy. There are splendid views over the loch as you pass below towering mountains walking mainly on wide, beautiful and quite forests tracks. On approaching South Laggan the track starts to descend and joins a minor road at Kilfinnan. This section of the Way offers a nice walk along a wooded strip of land with the canal visible at times to the left. You walk close to the site of the Clan Battle of the Shirts in 1544.

Laggan to Fort Augustus 11 miles, 17.6km , 4 hours, up/down 50m

Following first the old railway line, abandoned in 1946, and then a section of General Wade’s Military Road, you will walk along the tranquil shores of the loch through beautiful mixed woodland where wildlife abounds. The route offers scenic sections with lovely views along Loch Oich. At historic Fort Augustus you should visit the grand, imposing Abbey, which until recently housed Benedictine monks.

Fort Augustus to Invermoriston 8 miles 12.8km 3.5 hours, up/down 300m.

A day out walking through the pristine and beautiful ancient forests of Scotland. From Fort Augustus you start the first real climb of the week but the reward is a series of Breath taking views back over the village and across Loch Ness as you follow high forest tracks to Invermoriston. As you come into the tiny village and cross the mighty river Moriston, have a look at the splendid old bridge, a Telford design.

Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit 14 miles 22.4km 5-6 hours, up/down 575m

The path descends through the trees to the area of an Iron Age fort near Grotaig. After one last climb the way emerges onto a single track road and crosses a moorland where pretty coloured heather abounds. You will then cross through another magnificent forest before the way starts a steep descent into Drumnadrochit.

Drumnadrochit to Inverness 18 miles 28.8km 8 hours , up/down 300m.

This stage is perhaps the most varied of all, with further ascent and descent and a mixture of farmland, moorland and forests offering unforgettable views back over Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.

Departure