Hike or Bike the Great Glen Way

How long is the Great Glen Way?
The Great Glen Way distance is 79 miles (127 km) from Fort William to Inverness.

Can you cycle the Great Glen Way?
Yes! The Great Glen Way Cycle Route follows much of the same path as the hiking trail, with some alternative sections for a smoother ride.

How difficult is the Great Glen Way?
The Great Glen Way elevation profile is moderate, with some challenging ascents on the High Route. It’s suitable for most hikers with a reasonable level of fitness.

Is the Great Glen Way signposted?
Yes, the Great Glen Way trail is well-marked with clear signs and waymarkers. However, for added confidence, our tours include GPS navigation via our award-winning Macs Adventure app.

Best time to walk the Great Glen Way?
Spring and fall offer the best weather for hiking in Scotland, with mild temperatures and fewer midges. Summer can be warm but also busy.

Are midges a major problem?
There is no denying that midges can be a nuisance when there is no breeze. They will bite if they find bare skin, but they do not cause illness. Some people suffer from itchy bites. The worst time for midges in Scotland is June to August on warmer, humid days. The best solution is to carry midge repellent and keep moving. See our Say Goodbye to the Midges for repellent ideas.

Will my accommodation be close to the route?
We endeavor to book accommodation as close as possible to the trail. Generally, you will only have to walk less than a mile from the route to get to your overnight accommodation. On some itineraries you may have a private taxi transfer if your accommodation is further from the route. 

- Expertly designed self-guided itineraries—hike worry-free with a route planned just for you
- Luggage transfers included—carry only what you need each day
- Turn-by-turn GPS navigation—never get lost with our award-winning app
- Handpicked accommodations—relax in comfortable hotels and guesthouses
- Local knowledge & expert support—detailed travel guides and 24/7 assistance

Explore Scotland’s Great Glen Way on a self-guided walking or biking tour—book your adventure today!

1. Nessie: Loch Ness is home to the famous Loch Ness Monster, with sightings dating back to 565 AD.
2. Size: It’s one of Scotland's largest freshwater bodies, 23 miles long and 754 feet deep. It is so deep that it holds more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined!
3. The Surgeon’s Photo: The iconic 1934 photo of Nessie, likely a hoax, sparked global interest.
4. Urquhart Castle: The 1,000-year-old ruins of Urquhart Castle sit along the loch, offering stunning views.
5. Ancient Tree Stump: The world’s oldest tree stump, over 5,000 years old, was found submerged in Loch Ness.

From Sea Loch Linnhe and the Atlantic to Moray Firth and the North Sea the Great Glen Way is also considered a fantastic Coast to Coast Trail.

A great choice for history buffs, and nature-lovers alike the trail takes you from Fort William the 'outdoor capital' of the Highlands in the west to Inverness, Scotland's most northerly cathedral city in the east. The Great Glen Way is the perfect way to travel slowly, discovering the dramatic heritage of the settlements and landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Get away from it all and lose yourself in surrounding landscape and its history, while making new memories yourself. 

From fact to fantasy, the Jacobites to Robert The Bruce, and everything in between, the Great Glen has it all. En route you'll pass forts, castles, Scotland's deepest loch - Loch Ness - with a reputation as a home to monsters (Nessie!), all while following the Caledonian Canal a feat of historical engineering in itself. The trail starts beside the now unassuming 17th century fort ruins in Fort William and ends in Inverness, settled as early as the 6th century and close to the famous Culloden Battlefield.

Getting to the Start
By Air: Inverness and Glasgow Airports are the most convenient. From Inverness Airport catch a Citylink bus (2 hours) to Fort William. From Glasgow Airport take the shuttle bus into Glasgow city centre and then the train (4 hours) or bus (3 hours) to Fort William.

By Train: Between 3 and 4 trains run daily from Glasgow to Fort William and the journey takes around 4 hours. Widely regarded as one of the world’s great rail journeys, this is a great way to start your trip. Visit Scotrail's website for timetables and tickets.

Getting from the End
Inverness has excellent transport links by road, rail and air to destinations throughout Scotland and the UK.