Great Glen Way - 9 Days & 8 Nights

9 Days & 8 Nights 4.6 Read 174 reviews

A classic trail through highland scenery from Fort William to Inverness
Discover the Caledonian Canal with its very impressive series of locks
Visit Urquhart Castle and its superb setting on Loch Ness; look-out for Nessie!
Impressive views of Ben Nevis en route - the UK's highest mountain
A real sense of achievement of having completed the Great Glen Way

The Great Glen Way is a 79-mile walk through Scotland’s most famous Glen; crossing on foot from Fort William, via the famed shores of Loch Ness, to Inverness. The Great Glen Way takes you through beautiful forests, past peaceful working canals and alongside brooding lochs. Macs Adventure offers a variety of durations for the walk, dependent on how much time you have and how far you'd like to hike each day. You start your adventure in Fort William, at the base of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. You then follow the Caledonian Canal via Neptune’s Staircase to Gairlochy, before continuing up Loch Lochy to South Laggan, and on to Fort Augustus via Loch Oich and Kytra Lock. The Great Glen Way then follows the western shore of Loch Ness passing the highland towns of Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit until you reach the historic town of Inverness. Nessie hunters can even take a cruise on Britain's largest loch (by volume of water), whilst Urquhart Castle is another must-see, with its commanding view of Loch Ness, as is Inverness Castle at the walk’s end.

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What To Expect

The Great Glen Way is a beautiful walk among some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. The Great Glen was frequently used by Robert the Bruce to covertly travel north, so there is a rich history to the area to accompany its 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

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Historical Journeys
National Parks & Trails

Inspiration:

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

Overnight in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses, specifically chosen to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional hospitality.

Solo Walkers & Single Rooms

The Great Glen Way 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

8 Nights in hand-picked accommodation in B&B's, guest houses and small hotels
8 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
A detailed info pack, guidebook and map for the group leader
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

Hotel and castle accommodation upgrade
Extra nights before, during or after your walk
Private transfer from Inverness to Fort William

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.

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.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Fort William Day 2 Fort William to Gairlochy/Spean Bridge 10.5 miles / 17 km

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 locks which raise the canal 80 feet in just 400. Continue along the canal towpath as it winds its way through stunning countryside above the River Lochy. Your overnight stop in Gairlochy* appears all too soon.

*There is very limited accommodation in Gairlochy and you may be staying in Spean Bridge, a pleasant 3-mile walk further up the valley (we will inform you if this is the case).

Overnight Spean Bridge

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.

Riverside Lodge Gardens | 4 Star | Bed and breakfast

Riverside Lodge Gardens is situated in a lovely location and offers quality and spacious 4 Star accommodation. All rooms are located on the ground floor, with new spacious en-suite facilities, together with comfortable seating areas.

Distant Hills Guest House | 4 Star | Bed and breakfast

Distant Hills has a peaceful setting amidst some of the most spectacular scenery in the Highlands with uninterrupted mountain views. They have seven individually designed comfortable rooms with en-suite shower rooms. Rooms are furnished in contemporary quality furniture with 24 hour individually controlled heating. There is also a drying room and WIFI access.

The Old Pines | 4 Star | Bed and breakfast

Old Pines is a very special place to stay. Experience the beauty of their picturesque location, cosy yet luxurious rooms and the indulgence of organic, home-cooked food. On arrival, you will be greeted with fresh tea and home-made scones then you can settle into your luxury room to unwind.

Day 3 Spean Bridge to Laggan 12 miles / 19 km

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 the locks.

Overnight Laggan - Invergarry

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.

Forest Lodge

Forest Lodge is ideally located in the heart of the Great Glen. Managed by Lorraine and Laura you are guaranteed a warm welcome in this tranquil spot. They have comfortable en-suite rooms equipped with tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, clock/radios and toiletries.

Glen Albyn Lodge

Glen Albyn has a proud Victorian look with flying crosses, finials, slate roof and lead flashings. Whilst on the inside it has a comfortable modern feel with tiled and oak flooring and the very latest in energy efficient systems, including under-floor heating and a thermal heat store. All walkers can enjoy the stunning hot tubs at Glen Albyn Lodge free of charge. This makes for an amazing end to the days walking and helps to recover the body for the next day’.

All rooms have tea & coffee making facilities, TV, hairdryer, and free Wi-Fi.

Glengarry Castle Hotel

Glengarry Castle Hotel is a comfortable country house hotel located on the shores of Loch Oich, between Loch Ness and Loch Lochy. All 26 bedrooms are individually furnished and have private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi is available in all bedrooms, Library and Lounge.

Day 4 Laggan to Fort Augustus 10.5 miles / 17 km Day 5 Fort Augustus to Invermoriston 8 miles / 13 km Day 6 Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit 14.5 miles / 23 km Day 7 Transfer to Loch Laide and walk to Drumnadrochit 7.5 miles / 12 km Day 8 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.

The Glen Mhor Hotel

The Glen Mhor Hotel is situated in a tranquil location on the south bank of the River Ness, a 3-minute walk from Inverness city centre. Accommodation is divided between 4 charming Victorian townhouses - many rooms have wonderful views across the river to the cathedral and Eden Court Theatre. Nico's Bistro and Bar offers an informal atmosphere and dining inspired by French cuisine. A range of drinks are served in the bar, including an extensive whiskey collection, and there are cosy log-burning fires. Laundry facilities are available (cost dependent upon load) but drying facilities are available at no extra cost.

Day 9 Onward Travel