Great Glen Escape

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.7 Read 19 reviews

Immerse yourself in the highland landscape on one of Scotland's most renowned trails
Discover the historic tow paths of the Caledonian Canal and its impressive series of locks
Visit Urquhart Castle with its superb setting on Loch Ness
Explore Loch Ness by foot and perhaps catch a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness Monster!
Arrive in Inverness having passed through some of Scotland’s finest scenery

Known as one of Scotland’s finest long distance walks, the Great Glen Way takes you along the Caledonian Canal, through beautiful forests, peaceful working canals, and magnificent brooding lochs. On the Great Glen Escape short break, we have focused on arguably the most scenic part of the walk, from Fort Augustus to Inverness, allowing you to experience the highlights of the Great Glen over 5 days. Set off from Fort Augustus, from where the trail follows the western shores of Loch Ness, passing the charming Highland towns of Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit before reaching the historic city of Inverness. "Nessie" hunters can take a cruise on Loch Ness from Fort Augustus, and shouldn’t miss the Loch Ness Experience in Drumnadrochit. Urquhart Castle, with its commanding view of Loch Ness is another must see, as is Inverness Castle at the walk’s end! We include hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality hotels, B&B’s and guesthouses, daily door to door baggage transfer, maps, route notes and emergency telephone support from our UK office in your short break with Macs Adventure.

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What To Expect

If you only have a few days available for walking through the Great Glen then this short break allows you to experience some of its most dramatic scenery and enjoy the jaw-dropping vistas.

Tour Style:

Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active trip.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travelers, Families, Multi-Generational, Groups > 10, First Timers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Historical Journeys
National Parks & Trails

Featured in our collections:

Most Popular
Classic

Activity Level & Terrain

This holiday is graded easy to moderate overall, with the 7 and 8 day tours graded moderate, due to a couple of longer days. Daily walking distances very between 8 - 20 miles. Some days will be more challenging than others and the terrain will be varied with some rough and rugged footpaths. There are ascents and descents involved, so a good level of fitness will be required. For fitter walkers the High Route will appeal, which affords particularly spectacular views from the Great Glen Way.

The High Route

In Summer 2014, through a £1 million project, the Forestry Commission Scotland created over 10 miles (16km) of waymarked Great Glen ‘High Route’ above Loch Ness. These new options take you above the treeline and offer fantastic views than the traditional route, with some challenging gradients and a new summit at 422m (1385ft) on Creag Dhearg.

Navigation

The route is well way marked and easy to follow. We supply a detailed map and guidebook so you will easily manage to find your way.

Accommodations

One of the highlights of this tour is the high standard of accommodation. We specifically choose the hotels, inns, guesthouses and B&B’s to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

The Great Glen Escape is available and well suited to solo walkers as the route is popular and well marked. Single rooms are available but a single supplement is payable.

Meals

A hearty breakfast is included each morning. Lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your guide book will have details.

Included

4 Nights in hand-picked B&B's, guest houses and small hotels
4 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Taxi transfer on day 4
Information pack, guidebook and access to maps & GPX tracks on our Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to the start / from the finish of the walk
Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
Travel insurance (required)
Personal equipment
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage

Extras

Extra nights before, during or after your walk

When To Go

You can start your walk on the Great Glen Way on any day between March and October, subject to availability. The Great Glen Way is very popular so it is best to book as far in advance as you are able to.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Inverness and Glasgow Airports are the most convenient. From Inverness Airport catch the bus (2 hours) or arrange a private transfer 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.

By Bus: Scottish Citylink operates up to 8 departures per day from Glasgow to Fortwilliam (3 hours) and up to 8 buses per day from Inverness (2 hours) to Fort William. Visit Scottish Citylink's website for timetables and tickets.

By Car: Fort William is 100 miles (approx. 3 hours) north of Glasgow on the A82. Parking (not secure) is available in Fort William. You can sometimes leave your car at the properties we use in Fort William, but please request this at the time of booking.

Private Transfers: We can arrange private transfers from Glasgow, Inverness or Edinburgh to the start/end of your walk; just ask us for a quote. This is often the smoothest way to begin or conclude your adventure.

Journey Planning: If travelling by public transport the website www.travelinescotland.com has an excellent journey planner.

Getting from the End

Inverness has excellent transport links by road, rail and air to destinations throughout Scotland and the UK. Use the websites listed above for timetables and tickets.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person.

Taxi Transfer

You will be collected from your accommodation in Drumnadrochit on day 4 of your trip and transferred to Loch Laide, avoiding the busy A82 section of the Great Glen Way, and allowing you to enjoy walking into Inverness at a more leisurely pace.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

How far in advance do I need to book?

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How do the baggage transfers work?

What personal equipment do I need?

When is the best time of year?

How do we get to and from the trail?

What are the midges like?

Am I able to take my dog?

What happens if I cant walk a stage?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Fort Augustus and overnight Day 2 Fort Augustus to Invermoriston 8 miles / 13 km Day 3 Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit 14.5 miles / 23 km Day 4 Transfer to Loch Laide and walk to Inverness 12.5 miles / 20 km

Transfer from Drumnadrochit, avoiding the busy A82 section of the Great Glen Way, to Loch Laide (approx. 15 mins). Initially you follow a minor road for a few miles and then at Blackfold you branch off through the forest before beginning your descent down towards Inverness and the Moray Firth. A mile before the end of the Way you once again meet the Caledonian Canal. The way turns right instead and follows the River Ness into the centre of Inverness and Inverness Castle, which marks the end of your wonderful journey across Scotland.

Overnight Inverness

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Kinnoch Lodge

Located in the capital of The Highlands, Kinnoch Lodge offers an ideal place to stay for your visit to Inverness. Located 5 minutes from the centre of town and only a short walk from Inverness Castle, this accommodation is in the perfect location for your stay. Each room is finished to a high standard and Sharon and Donnie will make you feel at home for the duration of your stay.

Inverglen Guest House

Inverglen is a Victorian stone villa built in 1894. All bedrooms are en-suite and have complimentary toiletries. Each room has a digital flat screen television, a radio alarm clock, hair dryer and hot water bottle. Their large comfortable guest lounge has an extensive library of guides, reference books, novels and magazines, as well as many CD’s and DVD’s for you to borrow. They also serve complimentary tea/coffee together with biscuits or other home-baked treats most afternoons.

There is also free WIFI throughout the house. Laundry facilities (wash, dry & fold service) are provided for £8.50 per load (up to 6kg).

Cavell Guest House

Built in 1842, your accommodation is a well-appointed Victorian villa with stunning views over the River Ness and Cavell Gardens. All rooms have TV, hospitality tray, hairdryers and free wireless Internet. They also have available on request bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, iron and ironing board and DVD player.

Day 5 Onward Travel