Great Glen Way

The "Great Glen," as the most significant trading route in the Scottish Highlands, has a wealth of stories to share. While the legend of Loch Ness may belong to the realm of fantasy, this region has witnessed countless disputes and battles among clans throughout history. Today, a tranquil serenity blankets the "Great Glen."

The Great Glen Way follows the course of the Caledonian Canal, guiding you to the shores of pristine lochs and charming towns with cozy pubs. This stunning scenery is framed by the lush green hills of the Scottish Highlands, creating a captivating contrast against the calm waters. The Great Glen Way showcases Scotland like a scene from a storybook.

This 117-kilometre-long trail commences in Fort William, near the Caledonian Canal, and journeys northward to Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, you'll encounter some of Scotland's most breathtaking landscapes, including Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal, and Glen Affric, renowned as one of Scotland's most picturesque glens.

Embark on this walking tour to delve into the rich history and culture of Northern Scotland. As you traverse the route, you'll encounter castles, burial mounds, and historic battlefields that provide a glimpse into Scotland's turbulent ancient past.

Details about walking holidays on Scotland's Great Glen Way

Wonderful moments of tranquillity, picturesque landscapes and fabulous hiking trails - an unforgettable active break awaits you on our hiking tour through the Scottish Highlands. In nine days and seven walking stages, you will experience the magic of Scotland on foot and at the same time the important trade route of the region, the Great Glen Way, a 117-kilometre long-distance hiking trail.

You start your walking tour in Fort William, at the southern end of the Great Glen and directly on Loch Linnhe. The route takes you to Gairlochy, Spean Bridge, the village of Laggan, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Drumnachdrochit, Loch Laide and finally to Inverness, the final destination of your walking tour and the cultural centre of the Scottish Highlands.

The highlights of the Great Glen Way walking holiday at a glance:

• Picture book landscapes: On the fourth day of your walking tour, you will hike up the Great Glen Way too wonderful viewpoints of Loch Oich, a narrow loch located between Loch Ness and Loch Lochy.

• Legendary walking routes: The fifth day of your walking tour takes you to the fabled Loch Ness, the largest freshwater loch in the Great Glen and also one of the most fish-rich bodies of water in the whole of Britain. And who knows, maybe the famous lake monster Nessie will make an appearance?

• Inverness Castle: A visit to Inverness Castle is the perfect end to your nine-day walking tour of the Great Glen Way. The castle was built in 1836 from red sandstone and sits on a cliff above the River Ness.

Interesting facts about hiking along the Great Glen Way

Our walking tour on the Great Glen Way is classified as 'Medium'. The daily stages lead along well-surfaced footpaths and forest tracks and, with a little basic fitness, are a wonderful experience in the wonderful nature of Scotland. The longer daily stages can easily be shortened by public transport.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.