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The Great Glen Way is a long distance path in Scotland.

Understand

The Great Glen Way is a 79 mile (129 kilometre) hike between Fort William and Inverness, in the Scottish Highlands. It follows a major geological fault that runs southwest-northeast across the width of Northern Scotland. The walk takes you past the famous Loch Ness, where you can scan the waters for the Loch Ness Monster.

The Great Glen Way has some fairly strenuous sections in which you are walking into or out of the valley, but most sections can be broken into 11 mile parts. The complete walk is typically completed in in 4 to 6 days. The official end/starting point of the walk is the Castle at Inverness.

The path is also suitable for cycling - some parts can be rough, so a mountain bike is recommended. It can be cycled in 2 to 3 days.

Fort Augustus, on the Great Glen Way

Prepare

There are several guidebooks and maps of the route for purchase, and at least one comprehensive website for the Great Glen Way, but it is possible to walk the route without a map (there are route markers at all key intervals) and without accommodation bookings.

Get in

The Great Glen Way can be walked in either direction, but it is generally recommended to start at Fort William, and end at Inverness. This direction means you have the sun and the prevailing wind at your back most of the time. This also gives the flatter southern half as a warm up, ahead of the hillier northern section.

Fort William is on the West Highland Railway, with regular trains to Glasgow, and an overnight sleeper train to London. This railway line is scenic, but it is not fast - it takes about 4 hours from Glasgow, or 5 hours from Edinburgh. There are also regular buses to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, operated by Citylink. The buses are usually cheaper and faster than the train - about 3 hours from Glasgow.

Inverness is on the Highland Main Line, with trains to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and also a sleeper train to London. There are also regular buses, operated by Citylink, Megabus and National Express.

Walk

The walk passes through Gairlochy, Loch Lochy, Laggan, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston and Drumnadrochit. The last three are on the shores of Loch Ness. There are also diversions along the route to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, and several historic castles and museums.

These are suggested stages for each day, they can vary depending on how far you want to walk each day, and where you are staying.

Great Glen Way route map

Section 1: Fort William to Gairlochy

The official start is at the 1 Fort Williamold fort, in Fort William. The path passes through Inverlochy, and along the shore of Loch Linnhe to Corpach. Here it joins the Caledonian Canal, then follows the towpath up past Neptune's Staircase, an impressive flight of locks. The way continues next to the canal for 10km, until it reaches a swing bridge at Gairlochy.

Section 2: Gairlochy to Laggan

From 2 Gairlochy the way follows minor roads and paths along the northern side of Loch Lochy, towards Clunes. Here the way joins a forest track for 12km to Laggan.

Section 3: Laggan to Fort Augustus

From Laggan the way follows foresty tracks alongside Loch Oich before rejoining the Caledonian Canal. Here you walk inbetween of River Oich to your left and the Caledonian Canal to your right, passing two more locks before finally reaching Fort Augustus.

Sleep

There is a range of accommodation along the Great Glen Way, including campsites, hostels, B&Bs and hotels. There are at least some accommodation options in each of the towns and villages that the Great Glen Way passes through:

Fort William

Has a range of hotels, B&Bs and hostels. Campsites at Glen Nevis (3km from the start) and Camaghael (1.5km off the way)

Gairlochy

Gairlochy hast two bed and breakfasts. There is also camping at Gairlochy Holiday Park, 1.5km off the way.

Laggan

Great Glen Hostel

Invergarry

Hotel, B&B or hostel.

Fort Augustus

Several hotels, B&Bs, 2 hostels, and a campsite.

Invermoriston

2 B&Bs

Drumnadrochit

Several hotels, B&Bs, a hostel and a campsite.

Inverness

A wide range of hotels, B&Bs and hostels in the city centre, plus a campsite at the Bught (2km from the finish).

Eat/Drink

There are a several large supermarkets in Fort William and Inverness. Apart from this, if you need to buy supplies along the way you will need to plan ahead and pick them up at the first opportunity. There are small convenience shops in Invergarry and Invermoriston, and larger grocery shops in Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit. There is also a number of cafes and pubs along the way.

Stay safe

The usual precautions of Wilderness backpacking apply. Since you probably sleep in hostels and Bed & Breakfasts on the way, you don't need to carry as much supplies and gear (tents, sleeping bags) as when sleeping in the wild, however a sufficient supply of water and food for the day should be carried and you should always restock on first opportunity. You should carry warm and waterproof clothes with you, a good map and travel guide and a compass. A mobile phone is a good idea, but in remote areas there might be no coverage, so be warned. Midges are a nuisance during summer months, so use a good insect repellent as well as sunscreen.

If you call ahead to book accommodation for the night, remember to cancel the booking if you don't want to stay there any more. If you don't show up, they might alarm the local rescue service thinking you are lost in the wild, although in fact you are sleeping at the place across the road.

Go next

There are several other long distance paths in Scotland

• Southern Upland Way is a 212 mile walking route in the Scottish Borders from coast to coast.
• West Highland Way is a 96 mile walking route from Glasgow to Fort William.
• John Muir Way is a 120 mile walking and cycling route across the Central Belt