Hiking in Scotland - Great Glen Way

Arrival in Fort William and check-in at the first accommodation. Fort William is a lively town at the foot of Ben Nevis and is popular among hikers and climbers. It is about 4 hours by train from Glasgow.

Accommodation in Fort William

You follow the River Lochy with short detours that make it possible to visit Old Inverlochy Castle or Ben Nevis Distillery. Further on, you make your way to Corpach where the Caledonian Canal meets the Atlantic. From here you head northeast towards Banavie and follow the landscape above the River Lochy all the way to Gairlochy.

Accommodation in Spean Bridge

The day offers a mainly easy walk with some steep uphill sections. You will walk on a mixture of asphalt, forest paths and trails that are mostly shared with the Great Glen Cycle Route. About 3km into the route you have the opportunity to make a detour to the "Clan Cameron Museum" and the Cia-aig waterfall before rejoining the route at Clunes. From Clunes you walk on forest paths all the way to Kilfinnan where you are treated to a fantastic view over Loch Lochy with the mountains behind.

Accommodation in South Laggan

Today you walk on a mixture of asphalt, railway tracks and old military road. You enter the Leiterfearn nature reserve where you can enjoy forest with ash, birch, elm and hazel. If you have time you can walk up Meall a'Cholumain from Fort Augustus, which is a fantastic viewpoint. Fort Augustus was largely built in 1729 as the hub for General Wade's military road to pacify the Highlands after Culloden. Here there are five locks in the center of town on the Caledonian Canal and several museums to visit. There are some good restaurants here, and you might even have enough time for a short cruise on Loch Ness.

Accommodation in Fort Augustus

A somewhat more difficult day today, with steeper uphill sections. You make your way up through birch & pine forest and are regularly rewarded with dramatic views over Loch Ness between the trees. You walk to the village of Invermoriston where you can eat at the Invermoriston Hotel and try their wide selection of malt whisky.

Accommodation in Invermoriston

Today's walk is of moderate difficulty and offers some ups and downs. If the weather permits, you can make your way up Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh where you get a fantastic view all the way from Ben Nevis to Inverness. During the day you can also make a detour to Urquhart Castle with impressive views over Loch Ness. You eventually arrive in Drumnadrochit where you can visit one or more "Loch Ness Monster visitor's centres".

Accommodation in Drumnadrochit

Today you have the opportunity to choose between walking the entire route to Inverness at about 30km or starting the day with a transfer (not included) to Loch Laide and walking from there. From Loch Laide you walk down towards Blackford and Great Glen and meet the Caledonian Canal again before finally making your way to Inverness.

Accommodation in Inverness

The trip ends after breakfast.