Lying in the shadow of Ben Nevis at the head of Loch Linnhe sits Scotland’s outdoor capital - Fort William.

Glasgow and Inverness are the closest airports to Fort William and regular trains and buses connect to Fort William.

Fort William is a bustling town and very popular among climbers and walkers as it sits at the base of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest peak. Follow the river Lochy with short detours possible to Old Inverlochy Castle or Ben Nevis Distillery. After briefly following the banks of Loch Linnie, you reach Corpach where the Caledonian Canal meets the Atlantic (make sure you dip your feet!).

Follow the towpath northeast to Banavie and Neptune’s Staircase, a series of canal locks that raise the canal 80 feet in just the length of 400 feet. Continue along the canal towpath as it winds its way through stunning countryside above the River Lochy. Gairlochy appears all too soon and from here you can walk further to Spean Bridge along the B8004 and take in parts of General Wade’s military road (mid 18th Century). Alternatively, use a public bus or organise a transfer through your accommodation from Gairlochy to Spean Bridge.

Ascent: 35m (114ft) / Descent: 9m (30ft)

The Great Glen Way is an extremely popular route and accommodation is limited, therefore we book a hotel or guest house in Spean Bridge which is slightly off the main route. To walk to Spean Bridge from Gairlochy is around 4.5 miles / 7 km, if able, we recommend walking today and then arranging a transfer through your accommodation back to Gairlochy in the morning. You also have the option to use public transport to get to your accommodation and back onto the trail the next day. 

From Gairlochy you follow the shore of Loch Lochy on forest tracks through land owned by the Cameron clan. Achnacarry was also home to one of the toughest commando training camps, and the nearby museum highlights the remarkable conditions they endured. After Clunes, the road continues on fire tracks above Loch Lochy all the way to South Laggan and the locks.

There is a wonderful pub and seafood restaurant on a moored barge at Laggan Locks called the Eagle Inn; great for an afternoon pint or a fantastic evening meal. Your accommodation is generally a mile or so from Laggan locks.

Ascent: 219m (718ft) / Descent: 206m (675ft)

Ascent: 330m (1082ft) / Descent: 306m (1003ft) - *If walking onto Invergarry*

There is only one accommodation in Laggan with limited rooms. If there is no availability, you may be booked into an upgraded accommodation in Invergarry (A supplement for this may be payable on confirmation)

If staying overnight in Invergarry, your mileage on this day will be slightly longer (17 miles / 28 km), followed by a shorter walk the following day (8 miles / 13 km). Alternatively, you can use a City Link bus service to get from Laggan to your accommodation in Invergarry and back onto the trail the next day. We will provide all the information needed, should that be the case. If you would prefer a private transfer, please let us know at the time of confirmation so we can organize this for you.

Your day starts at Laggan Bridge, which is the highpoint of the Caledonian Canal at 106ft above sea level. Initially, you follow the eastern shore of Loch Oich, one of Scotland’s most beautiful and pristine natural woodlands, which is teeming with bird and wildlife. Once you reach the end of Loch Oich, at Oich Bridge, you follow the canal for a few miles along to Fort Augustus. This is a lovely section of canal, and Kytra Lock is one of the highlights of the entire walk.

At Fort Augustus you leave the canal and begin your journey on the banks of Loch Ness. This section has some steep climbs and is mainly on fire roads and some good tracks. You have great views of Loch Ness throughout so make sure you keep those eyes peeled for the monster - you might be lucky. Invermoriston is your overnight stop and a very pretty little village.

Ascent: 412m (1351ft) / Descent: 414m (1358ft)

A slightly tougher day of walking but a truly enthralling one. Again you have the option of the 'High Route' or the 'Low Route'.

Both have a relatively steep start as you climb out of Invemoriston. The 'Low Route' then follows tracks back down through forestry north of Loch Ness, with good views across the water to the hills on the south side of the Loch. The 'High Route' continues to climb and gives truly spectacular views of Loch Ness and the surrounding area. On a clear day, you can spot the UK's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Both routes rejoin and end by crossing a high moorland area before a steep descent into Drumnadrochit, famous for its magnificent Urquhart castle sitting on the banks of Loch Ness.

High Route (22km) - Ascent: 598m (1961ft) / Descent: 616m (2021ft)

Low Route (24km) - Ascent: 559m (1833ft) / Descent: 573m (1879ft)

Please note, the Low Route will be closed for 3 months between April and July 2025, due to planned forestry work. The High Route remains open and will be the suggested alternative on this day.

From Drumnadrochit you endure a section on the busy A82 before climbing steadily through woodland and forestry. Eventually, the climbing comes to an end and you wave goodbye to Loch Ness. 

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 Great Glen Way you once again meet the Caledonian Canal and it is possible to walk all the way to the end if you wish.

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. If you have walked all the way from Drumnadrochit you will be very pleased to reach the end of the day's walk!

Ascent: 423m (1387ft) / Descent: 423m (1387ft)

Your trip ends after breakfast. Inverness has excellent transport links by road, rail and air to destinations throughout Scotland and the UK.