The Great Glen Way Walk, 8 days

This long distance walking trail travels right through the very heart of Scotland. From Fort William to Inverness, you’ll discover the highlights that make this area such a magnet for walkers.

On this self-guided hiking trip, you will also encounter the forts and castles scattered along the way that lay witness to Scotland’s turbulent past, from the Iron Age to the Jacobite Rebellion led by Bonnie Prince Charlie who was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden.

Pass by the foot of Ben Nevis (1,344 metres), the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. Follow undulating forest tracks along the shores of Loch Ness and walk through a mixture of farmland, exposed high moorlands and woodland as you make your way to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

The route starts fairly flat but gets harder over the last 3 days with short steep hills and longer hills on the last day of walking. The last walking day can be reduced by taking optional taxi transfer (included in the price) to a point about a third along the trail, missing out the steep climb.

Duration: 8 days

You need to have a spirit for adventure, independence and self-management on this self-guided trip.

Activity	Hiking, Self-Guided
Country	United Kingdom
Hiking Grade	Grade 2+ – Beginner Plus, Grade 3 – Intermediate
Season	03 – March, 04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Fort William

There are only traces left of the original fort built to keep the dreaded Highlanders at bay. Today the town is the “Chamonix” of Scotland with a proliferation of outdoor shops, cafes, bookshops and bars to entertain you if you arrive early.

If you have an extra night here and you are an experienced hill walker, you could go and climb Ben Nevis, or you could take a boat trip to “Seal Island” to see the grey seals loitering around.

Meal: nil

Stay: Guesthouse

Day 02 Fort William – Gairlochy

Today’s walk is very easy which will give you the opportunity to do several side trips. The first one being Old Inverlochy Castle, which is one of Scotland’s earliest stone castles, built in 1260. Continue on with before taking a short diversion to Corpach sea loch, with its lock-keepers’ cottages and pepper-pot lighthouse. Head up to the tow path of the Caledonian Canal following it past “Neptune’s staircase” (a flight of 8 locks) to the small village of Gairlochy.

You will be staying at the highland village, Spean Bridge, which is another 5.6 KM of hilly walk as there is no accommodation on the route. Normally the guesthouse will be able to collect and transfer you (for a fee) with prior arrangement, if you prefer not to walk.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: Guesthouse

Hiking Distance: 17 KM approx.

Day 03 Gairlochy – South Laggan

An easy walk with some short steep ascents. You will be walking on a mixture of tarmac, forest paths and tracks, mostly shared with the Great Glen Cycle Route. 3 KM after the start of your walk, consider to take a side trip to Clan Cameron Museum and Cia-aig Waterfall before rejoining the Way at Clunes but note that the museum is only open in the afternoons. From Clunes all the way to Kilfinnan, walk on forest tracks, enjoy the splendid views of Loch Lochy with the mountains behind.

The accommodation in South Laggan is surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: Guesthouse

Hiking Distance: 17.5 KM OR 21 KM approx.

Day 04 South Laggan – Augustus

An easy walk with the terrain is a mixture of tarmac, railway track bed, old military road, then a canal towpath. Enter the Leiterfearn Nature Reserve, enjoy the wonderful ash, birch, elm and hazel woodland. If you have time, you could walk up Meall a’Cholumain from Fort Augustus, which is a great viewpoint.

Fort Augustus was largely built in 1729 as the hub of General Wade’s military road building programme to calm the highlanders after Culloden and there are 5 locks at the centre of town on the Caledonian Canal and several museums. There are some great restaurants here, you may even have enough time for a short cruise on Loch Ness.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: Guesthouse

Hiking Distance: 20 KM approx.

Day 05 Augustus – Invermoriston

An energetic day with steep ascents. Climb through a forest of birch and pine, beside a stream and uphill to a forest track. Get to see some dramatic views of Loch Ness at intervals through the woods. Walk through the village of Invermoriston with its little bridge built by Thomas Telford.

Visit The Invermoriston Hotel which is a great place to eat and has several types of malt whisky. They also have great beer from The Skye Brewery. There are nice leafy walks down by the river.

The guesthouse you will be staying for the night was built in 1995 to provide a family home and bed & breakfast accommodation. Each bedroom is well-furnished and has a spacious ensuite. Relax in the evening by the open fire in the lounge, while the breakfast room enjoys great views of Sron Na Muic.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: Guesthouse

Hiking Distance: 13 KM approx.

Day 06 Invermoriston – Drumnadrochit

A moderate day of walking with some steep sections. There is quite a bit of undulation and hopefully you’ll be used to the walking now!

In good weather, strong walkers may ascend Meall Fuar-Mhonaidh and see views from Ben Nevis all the way to Inverness. You may take excursions (own expense) to Urquhart Castle with commanding views over Lochness, with a stop at the café or an interpretational centre. Conclude at Drumnadrochit, an attractive ‘Green Village’, which has a Loch Ness Monster Visitor’s Centre, or two!

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: Guesthouse

Hiking Distance: 22 KM approx.

Day 07 Drumnadrochit – Inverness

Today will be a long day which may be too much, especially if you want to see something of Inverness.

So the tour can be shortened by an optional taxi transfer (included) taking you from the town to Loch Laide, famous for its very clean water.

Descend to Blackford and the Great Glen once again meets the Caledonian Canal before reaching Inverness, a beautiful city of past and modern, although mostly Victorian. From here, a taxi will take you to Inverness.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: Guesthouse

Hiking Distance: 21 KM OR 30.5 KM approx.

Day 08 Depart Inverness

Simply rest and relax until it’s time for your onward journey or check out (1100 hours) and the tour concludes.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 7 nights accommodation with ensuite facilities;

~ 7 Breakfasts;

~ luggage transfer where necessary, 1 piece per person not exceeding 20 KG;

~ taxi transfer on Day 7 to Loch Laide;

~ digital route notes & maps;

~ emergency service hotline.

Exclusions

~ air travel to United Kingdom;

~ tourist visa arrangement (if required);

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ meals not mentioned in the itinerary;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This self-guided trip is good for 1 hiker to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter United Kingdom, it is your responsibility to obtain such a document before departure.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the hikers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for participants with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike/walk.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ All hikers are strongly encouraged to be appropriately dressed in the right footwear (covered hiking shoes) and attire suitable for hiking.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ If hiker presents difficulty in completing the hike of the day, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker (and travel companions) in mind. The hiker can fast track to the next accommodation making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early during any time of the planned hiking day or make it a rest day, and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Should the hiker wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

The Great Glen Way Walk, 8 days