Great Glen Way Walking Loch Ness Scotland

Great Glen Way & Loch Ness Spectacular
Walking Holidays Scotland

Accommodation Baggage Transfer

Self-Led Hiking Trek from Fort William to Inverness
Long Distance Trail in the Scottish Highlands

We have been offering the Great Glen Way walking holiday for several years now,
and in 2002 it became an official signposted Way, part of a network of long distance trails in Scotland.

You walk from Fort William, the popular hiking centre, nestling under the massive Ben Nevis, to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

Loch Lochy
The trek takes you from the beginning of the Caledonian Canal past Neptune's Staircase and past Lochs Lochy, Oich and Ness. The trek terrain varies from towpath flat walking by the canal, to forest walks and woodland paths by the lochs.

Our unique options can include a cruise on Loch Ness to the other side of the loch and walking from there, past the Falls of Foyers alongside the loch and River Ness through mixed woodland, avoiding the long last stage on the other side of the loch on the official Way. This has proven to be a very popular option.
You can have extra days in both cities: in Fort William for distillery tours, climbing Ben Nevis or taking the Jacobite steam train to the fishing port of Mallaig and back, along the famous and spectacular West Highland Line.
An extra day in lovely Inverness will give you an opportunity to visit Culloden Battlefield and Cawdor Castle.
Great Glen map

Treks can start any day April to September.
We can offer the trek starting in Inverness instead of Fort William, please enquire.
A range of accommodation types is offered (B&B / Guest House / Hotel).
With all accommodation levels, you can include a night in a castle hotel to complete your Scottish Highlands experience. A real treat and you will not be disappointed! Ask for details and a quote.
There are 3 options depending on time available and preferred daily walking distance (detailed itineraries are given below).

7 DAY TREK 6 DAY TREK 5 DAY TREK

7 day trek
8 nights accommodation
Cruise across Loch Ness 6 day trek
7 nights accommodation 5 day trek
6 nights accommodation

Grading: Moderate, with some easy stages Grading: Moderate, with some easy
stages and one stage of 18 m/30 km Grading: higher mileages,
strenuous in parts

Cost:
Ł470 in Hotel/Inn accommodation*
Ł380 in B&Bs & Guest Houses* Cost:
Ł425 in Hotel/Inn accommodation*
Ł330 in B&Bs & Guest Houses* Cost:
Ł390 in Hotel/Inn accommodation*
Ł315 in B&Bs & Guest Houses*

* en suite or private facilities throughout (subject to availabilty)
Prices given are per person (based on two persons sharing accommodation and baggage transfers).
All packages include:

Accommodation, including full Scottish Breakfast

Daily baggage transfers, door to door

Map / guide book

For additional details about packed lunches, evening meals, train tickets, airport welcome, please see below.
We can adjust these options according to your requirements.

7 DAY TREK
8 nights accommodation, includes cruise across Loch Ness
Grading: moderate mileage

Glasgow - Fort William
Arrive Glasgow, optional airport /station welcome and transfer to the station for your train to Fort William. Allow one hour from airport to station. Train journey time 3 hours 45 min. Overnight accommodation in Fort William included.

Day 1: Fort William-Gairlochy/Spean Bridge 10.8m/17.5 km
Walk out of the town, via Corpach, the start of the Caledonian Canal and Neptune's Staircase, an impressive series of locks, follow canal towpath to Gairlochy. Level walking all the way, lovely views as you enter Gairlochy.
Day 2: Gairlochy-South Laggan 11.5m/18.5 km
You join a minor road for a while with an opportunity to visit a museum to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this area, then a forest track which follows the shores of lovely Loch Lochy.
Level walking all the way. BB. Optional extra day for watersports on Loch Oich. Optional stay at a castle hotel, please enquire.
Commando Memorial, Spean Bridge

Laggan Bridge Day 3: South Laggan-Fort Augustus 11m/17.5 km
You trek alongside Loch Oich, a gem of a walk today, through mixed woodland on the banks of the loch, away from it all, quiet peaceful. Back on to the Caledonian Canal and onwards to Fort Augustus, one of the prettiest villages in the Great Glen.
Optional stay at a castle hotel, please enquire.
Day 4: Fort Augustus-Invermoriston 7m/11 km
You cross to the north side of the Great Glen and follow a forest track route, which climbs up with great views, then down again to Invermoriston, a small village. Height gain 150m.

Day 5: Invermoriston-Drumnadrochit 12m/19km
More great views of Loch Ness as you climb again out of the village and follow forest track, with the mountain and loch views all the way. Drumnadrochit is the centre of the Loch Ness monster story and also the site of Urquhart Castle. Height gain 200m. Optional extra day for pony trekking.
Day 6: Drumnadrochit-Foyers-Dores 11m/17.5 km
You are picked up at your accommodation and taken down to the pier for your personal charter cruise across the loch with great views of Urquhart Castle. The captain is a member of the Loch Ness Monster Survey team, so he will have interesting tales to tell! You are dropped off at Foyers Pier from where you walk up through woodland to see the famous Falls of Foyers, before continuing on through woodland and forest track to Dores, on the banks of Loch Ness, great views of Loch Ness on this section. Height gain 150m.

Day 7: Dores-Inverness 10m/16km
An easy walk into Inverness, a delightful walk through mixed woodland on lovely paths alongside Loch Ness then the River Ness. You rejoin the Way at Ness Islands and finish at Inverness Castle.
You will arrive in plenty of time to explore Inverness and take an optional bus trip to Culloden Battlefield.
Day 8: Inverness-Edinburgh/Glasgow/Fort William
Return. Transport connections to Fort William, Isle of Skye, Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Inverness, Scotland

6 DAY TREK
7 nights accommodation.
Grading: Moderate, with some easy stages
and one stage of 18 m/30 km.
Arrive Glasgow, optional airport /station welcome and transfer to the station for your train to Fort William. Allow one hour from airport to station. Departures @ 08.12 (except Sundays) , 12.40 (inc Sundays July-Sept), 18.12. Journey time 3 hours 45 min. journey time 3 hours 45 min. Overnight accommodation in Fort William included.
Day 1: Fort William-Gairlochy/Spean Bridge 10.8m/17.5 km
Walk out of the town, via Corpach, the start of the Caledonian Canal and Neptune's Staircase, an impressive series of locks, follow canal towpath to Gairlochy. Level walking all the way, lovely views as you enter Gairlochy. Optional evening meal. Optional extra day for pony trekking.
Day 2: Gairlochy-South Laggan 11.5m/18.5 km
You join a minor road for a while with an opportunity to visit a museum to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this area, then a forest track which follows the shores of lovely Loch Lochy. Level walking all the way. Optional evening meal. Optional extra day for watersports on Loch Oich. Optional stay at a castle, please enquire.
Day 3: South Laggan-Fort Augustus 11m/17.5 km
You trek alongside Loch Oich, a gem of a walk today, through mixed woodland on the banks of the loch, away from it all, quiet peaceful. Back on to the Caledonian Canal and onwards to Fort Augustus, one of the prettiest villages in the Great Glen. Optional evening cruises on Loch Ness to view Urquhart Castle from the loch. Optional stay at a castle, please enquire.
Day 4: Fort Augustus-Invermoriston 7m/11 km
You cross to the north side of the Great Glen and follow a forest track route, which climbs up with great views, then down again to Invermoriston, a small village. Height gain 150m.
Day 5: Invermoriston-Drumnadrochit 12m/19m
More great views of Loch Ness as you climb again out of the village and follow forest track, with the mountain and loch views all the way. Drumnadrochit is the centre of the Loch Ness monster story and also the site of Urquhart Castle. Height gain 200m. Optional extra day for pony trekking.
Day 6: Drumnadrochit-Inverness 18m/30 km
A long climb out of the village before you reach the highest point of the Way, with great views as you leave the forest. The Way crosses the river at Ness Islands and finishes at Inverness Castle. Height gain 300m.
Or for the shorter Loch Ness option for Ł32 per person extra (well worthwhile unless you want to keep to the Official Way):
Day 6: Drumnadrochit- Dores-Inverness 10m/16 km
You are picked up from your accommodation in Drumnadrochit and taken to the pier for your charter cruise to Foyers, across Loch Ness with great views of Urquhart Castle. You are then met by taxi and taken to Dores, to continue your walking, to Inverness, the baggage is transferred onwards to Inverness. An easy walk into Inverness, a delightful walk through mixed woodland on lovely paths alongside Loch Ness then the River Ness. You rejoin the Way at Ness Islands and finish at Inverness Castle. Time to explore Inverness, or take an optional bus trip to Culloden Battlefield.

5 DAY TREK
6 nights accommodation.
Grading: higher mileages, strenuous in parts.
Arrive Glasgow, optional airport /station welcome and transfer to the station for your train to Fort William. Allow one hour from airport to station. Departures @ 08.12 (except Sundays), 12.40 (inc Sundays July-Sept), 18.12. Journey time 3 hours 45 min. Overnight accommodation in Fort William included.
Day 1: Fort William-Gairlochy/Spean Bridge 10.8m/17.5 km
Walk out of the town, via Corpach, the start of the Caledonian Canal and Neptune's Staircase, an impressive series of locks, follow canal towpath to Gairlochy. Level walking all the way, lovely views as you enter Gairlochy., Optional evening meal. Optional extra day for pony trekking.
Day 2: Gairlochy-South Laggan 11.5m/18.5 km
You join a minor road for a while with an opportunity to visit a museum to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this area, then a forest track which follows the shores of lovely Loch Lochy. Optional stay at a castle, please enquire. Level walking all the way. BB, optional evening meal. Optional extra day for watersports on Loch Oich.
Day 3: South Laggan-Fort Augustus-Invermoriston 18m/29 km
You trek alongside Loch Oich, a gem of a walk today, through mixed woodland on the banks of the loch, away from it all, quiet peaceful. Back on to the Caledonian Canal and onwards to Fort Augustus, one of the prettiest villages in the Great Glen. You cross to the north side of the Great Glen and follow a forest track route, with a long climb up with great views, then down again to Invermoriston, a small village. Height gain 200m.
Day 4: Invermoriston-Drumnadrochit 12m/19m
More great views of Loch Ness as you climb again out of the village and follow forest track, with the mountain and loch views all the way. Drumnadrochit is the centre of the Loch Ness monster story and also the site of Urquhart Castle. Height gain 200m. Optional extra day for pony trekking.
Day 5: Drumnadrochit-Inverness 18m/30 km
A long climb out of the village before you reach the highest point of the Way, with great views as you leave the forest. The Way crosses the river at Ness Islands and finishes at Inverness Castle. Height gain 300m.
Or for the shorter Loch Ness option for Ł32 per person extra (well worthwhile unless you want to keep to the Official Way):
Day 5: Drumnadrochit- Dores-Inverness 10m/16 km
You are picked up from your accommodation in Drumnadrochit and taken to the pier for your charter cruise to Foyers, across Loch Ness with great views of Urquhart Castle. You are then met by taxi and taken to Dores, to continue your walking, to Inverness, the baggage is transferred onwards to Inverness. An easy walk into Inverness, a delightful walk through mixed woodland on lovely paths alongside Loch Ness then the River Ness. You rejoin the Way at Ness Islands and finish at Inverness Castle. Time to explore Inverness, or take an optional bus trip to Culloden Battlefield.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

PACKED LUNCHES AND EVENING MEALS
Packed lunches are available at most accommodations and if not there are shops nearby. They can be ordered in advance on booking pre-paid or paid for on arrival. Average cost is Ł4.
Evening meals are available near all the accommodations except Gairlochy and South Laggan, where there is nothing really convenient nearby. These can be ordered in advance and can be paid for on arrival.
RAIL TRANSPORT
Glasgow-Fort William: allow one hour from Glasgow airport or 1.5 hours Glasgow Prestwick, to Queen St station. Departures at 08.12, 12.40, 18.12, journey time 3 hours 45 min. Sundays: 18.12 only except July to end September, when there is a 12.42 departure as well.
Return by train to Glasgow, arriving in time to see a little of Glasgow, the friendly city. Trains depart for Glasgow and Edinburgh 06.35, 07.55, 10.35, 12.13, 14.37, 16.48. Journey time 3 hours 30 min. Sundays: 09.40, 13.00, 16.10, 18.30.
Allow one hour extra for airports.
Fares: Glasgow/Edinburgh-Inverness: approx. Ł30
Fort William-Glasgow: approx Ł18
Fort William-Edinburgh: approx. Ł28
We recommend rail transport, but buses are available, cost roughly half the rail fare.
There is a 2 hourly bus service from Inverness to Fort William, less frequent on Sundays.
For your convenience, we can advise on transportation and book tickets and seat reservations if you wish.
TOUR PACKS
On confirmation of booking, we send you the accommodation itinerary. The Tour Pack, containing the accommodation itinerary, map, route details etc. will be available on arrival at Glasgow if met, or at the Guest House in Fort William, on arrival there.

Don't hesitate to get in touch and we can give you a quotation on a customised package.
Feel free to use our online Enquiry Form.

How to book your tour:
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7 DAY TREK	6 DAY TREK	5 DAY TREK
7 day trek 8 nights accommodation Cruise across Loch Ness	6 day trek 7 nights accommodation	5 day trek 6 nights accommodation
Grading: Moderate, with some easy stages	Grading: Moderate, with some easy stages and one stage of 18 m/30 km	Grading: higher mileages, strenuous in parts
Cost: Ł470 in Hotel/Inn accommodation* Ł380 in B&Bs & Guest Houses*	Cost: Ł425 in Hotel/Inn accommodation* Ł330 in B&Bs & Guest Houses*	Cost: Ł390 in Hotel/Inn accommodation* Ł315 in B&Bs & Guest Houses*

Glasgow - Fort William Arrive Glasgow, optional airport /station welcome and transfer to the station for your train to Fort William. Allow one hour from airport to station. Train journey time 3 hours 45 min. Overnight accommodation in Fort William included.
Day 1: Fort William-Gairlochy/Spean Bridge 10.8m/17.5 km Walk out of the town, via Corpach, the start of the Caledonian Canal and Neptune's Staircase, an impressive series of locks, follow canal towpath to Gairlochy. Level walking all the way, lovely views as you enter Gairlochy. Day 2: Gairlochy-South Laggan 11.5m/18.5 km You join a minor road for a while with an opportunity to visit a museum to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this area, then a forest track which follows the shores of lovely Loch Lochy. Level walking all the way. BB. Optional extra day for watersports on Loch Oich. Optional stay at a castle hotel, please enquire.
	Day 3: South Laggan-Fort Augustus 11m/17.5 km You trek alongside Loch Oich, a gem of a walk today, through mixed woodland on the banks of the loch, away from it all, quiet peaceful. Back on to the Caledonian Canal and onwards to Fort Augustus, one of the prettiest villages in the Great Glen. Optional stay at a castle hotel, please enquire. Day 4: Fort Augustus-Invermoriston 7m/11 km You cross to the north side of the Great Glen and follow a forest track route, which climbs up with great views, then down again to Invermoriston, a small village. Height gain 150m.
Day 5: Invermoriston-Drumnadrochit 12m/19km More great views of Loch Ness as you climb again out of the village and follow forest track, with the mountain and loch views all the way. Drumnadrochit is the centre of the Loch Ness monster story and also the site of Urquhart Castle. Height gain 200m. Optional extra day for pony trekking. Day 6: Drumnadrochit-Foyers-Dores 11m/17.5 km You are picked up at your accommodation and taken down to the pier for your personal charter cruise across the loch with great views of Urquhart Castle. The captain is a member of the Loch Ness Monster Survey team, so he will have interesting tales to tell! You are dropped off at Foyers Pier from where you walk up through woodland to see the famous Falls of Foyers, before continuing on through woodland and forest track to Dores, on the banks of Loch Ness, great views of Loch Ness on this section. Height gain 150m.