Great Glen Cycleway Map and Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Starting Point - Fort William

Fort William is the outdoor capital of Scotland and sits in the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. It is a vibrant town, bursting with life and will cater for any cycling or outdoors equipment that you may need before you head off on your trip.

Day 2 - Fort William to Invergarry - 26 Miles

The first section of your trip is mostly easy, following the traffic-free towpath alongside the Caledonian Canal. Cycling along this towpath will present you with a close view of Neptune’s Staircase, the longest series of canal locks in the UK. Stay on the towpath until you reach the little village of Gairlochy where the path turns to singletrack. There is an amazing part along the lochside before turning inland and climbing up above the loch on fire road. This section is through amazing, ancient forest up Laggan before you skirt the main road on your way to Invergarry for the night.

Invergarry to Drumnadrochit - 30 Miles

The mornings ride begins going up behind Invergarry, up your first really steep hill. Once at the top you have a lovely stretch of singletrack through the forest that eventually brings you down to Aberchalder. From here down to Fort Augustus you are back on the smooth canal towpath, giving your legs a wee break. Leaving Fort Augustus there is a short stretch of cycling on the busy A82 to start you off before plunging you into the hilly forest trails to Invermoriston. After glimpsing Loch Ness through the trees you will eventually have a thrilling decent into Invermoriston. From here you are back into the forest for one of the more challenging parts of the trip. The path undulates for the next 15 miles making you put in a little extra work, but as always it is worth it for the view from the top and the inevitable decent. Your hard days cycle finishes off in Drumnadrochit, home of not one, but two Loch Ness Monster displays as well as a host of pub and restaurants.

Day 4 - Drumnadrochit to Inverness—24 Miles

Today provides a different take on the Great Glen as you climb sharply out of Drumnadrochit and away from the lochs that you have so faithfully followed. Today you will be cycling through more remote scenery. Most of the cycling today is on minor roads as they lead you deeper into the hills and fields that surround the Great Glen, giving you a wonderful feeling of remoteness and freedom. You cycle down past the charming Loch Laide before heading past the Caiplich Prehistoric Settlement, which is worth checking out even if only for the view. Then you are back amongst the hills before a long decent into the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

Day 5 - Onward Travel

Inverness is incredibly well placed for onward travel. With rail and bus links to all major towns and cities in Scotland and air links to airports throughout the UK.

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