Walking in the Heart of Scotland

The long distance trail known as The Great Glen Way was established in April 2002. It begins in Fort William, crosses the Highlands and finishes in Inverness. In the course of this trail you pass by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, and follow the shores of one of Scotland’s most famous lakes, Loch Ness. Finally you reach the northernmost city in Scotland, Inverness, often known as the capital of the Highlands. The castles and forts dotted along the way are witness to this country’s turbulent past, from the Iron Age to the Jacobite Rebellion led by Bonnie Prince Charlie who was eventually defeated at the Battle of Culloden.

From Fort William the route follows the riverside and the Caledonian Canal with this part of the walk offering stunning views of Ben Nevis. From Gairlochy you walk first along Loch Lochy and then Loch Oich through beautiful woodland which is mainly ash, birch, elm and hazel. At this point the route offers fairly easy walking with two short steep ascents. The gentle descent from Aberchalder is perhaps the most secluded stretch of canal, passing the lovely Kytra Loch then through splendid mixed forest to Fort Augustus. On leaving this town there is a steep climb and when you reach the top of the hill there are good views back over Fort Augustus with its loch and abbey.

The Great Glen Way now goes along the shoreline of Loch Ness. It then follows steeply undulating forest tracks, at times high above the loch with beautiful views and at times descending almost to the road. The route then goes round Urquhart Bay, a flatter marshy area of alder woodlands around two river estuaries. En route you have excellent views of the 13th century Urquhart Castle. There is a short taxi transfer from Drumnadrochit, rejoining the path near Loch Laide. The last section of the walk towards Inverness is very varied with farmland, high moorlands and woodland.

Book a walking holiday with Sherpa Expeditions