Great Glen Way

Ben Nevis and the peaks of the surrounding Highlands offer wonderful scenery for the first few kilometers. The Great Glen Way takes you close to the water through the suburbs of Fort William and through small parks. After a few kilometers you will reach the Caledonian Canal, which you will follow to Inverness. The walk is flat until you reach the Gairlochy locks. From here it is just a stone's throw to your accommodation in Spean Bridge.

Overnight place: Gairlochy / Spean Bridge

The shores of Loch Lochy await you today. Keep your eyes open, because this lake also has its monster. “Lizzie” is less well-known than the Loch Ness monster, but the wild shores of Loch Lochy make you dream. You walk the entire length of the lake and soon the first houses of the village of Laggan come into view.

Overnight place: Laggan

Scotland, as it is written in the book. A variant of the Great Glen Way takes you a little higher today and offers you views over the nearby Loch Oich. You walk through quiet forests in which countless. colored thistles line the side of the path. At Aberchalder the Great Glen Way rejoins the Caledonian Canal, which takes you through a beautiful meadow landscape to Fort Augustus.

Overnight place: Fort Augustus

Today you reach the legendary Loch Ness. The stage is slightly shorter than the previous ones, giving you the opportunity to take today's hike a little more slowly. The Invermoriston settlement has a small waterfall and some cafes and restaurants.

Overnight place: Invermoriston

Today's stage offers two variants. The “high” tour takes you over steep steps to wonderful viewing points. The “low” version on the banks of Loch Ness involves less elevation gain, but this also climbs after a few kilometers. After the two routes have come together again, the route continues through untouched forests and moors to Drumnachdrochit.

Overnight place: Drumnadrochit

The long final stage of the Great Glen Way is divided into two shorter stages. In the morning a transfer will take you to Loch Laide. From here it goes through quiet forests and heathland back to Drumnadrochit. In the village you have the opportunity to visit the Nessie Visitor Center, one of the nearby waterfalls or the ruins of Urquhart Castle.

Overnight place: Like the previous day Drumnadrochit

Morning transfer back to Loch Laide. The last stage leads through idyllic forests, which occasionally offer the first views of the city of Inverness that lies in front of you. After a gentle descent to the banks of the River Ness, this canal takes you into the city. Your destination is Inverness Castle, which towers picturesquely over the city and marks the end point of the Great Glen Way.

Overnight place: Inverness

After breakfast departure on your own.

Overnight place: Inverness (departure)