Great Glen Way Highlands Scotland The Great Glen Way Walking Holiday is a fabulous 79 miles walking holiday in some of Scotland’s most wonderful scenery.  The Great Glen Way starts in Fort William and ends in the highland capital of Inverness. You will walk through some breathtaking scenery including lochs, hills and forests. Exploring The Great Glen Way by foot means you will also enjoy glorious views over Loch Ness. Upon leaving Fort William, you will be able to see Neptune’s Staircase. This is a series of eight sea locks which are at the opening of the Caledonian Canal. Continuing along the Great Glen Way you will pass Loch Lochy and Loch Oich, before reaching the world-famous Loch Ness. Make sure you make a stop by Castle Urquhart, which is one of the most photographed Castles overlooking Loch Ness. It is a short distance from the Trail but it is well worth the detour. The final stage of your Great Glen Way walk is from Drumnadrochit to Inverness. This is generally easy walking through farmland and forestry which give some lovely views for short sections over Loch Ness and the mountains to the north. Walking Tour Meeting: Fort William Airport: Glasgow Transfer: Riders: Min 2 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

Click here for updated current rates.

 

Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Please, make your own way to your accommodation in Fort William.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Fort William

Day 2: Fort William to Gairlochy
The first stage offers easy walking alongside the Caledonian Canal which shows many interesting features including Neptune’s Staircase and excellent views of Ben Nevis. The route begins at the Old Fort in Fort William, under the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain. From here, it skirts the shores of Loch Linnhe to join the historic Caledonian Canal at Corpach. It is then that the journey along Scotland’s longest Glen and greatest geological fault begins.
Distance: 17.6 km (4-5 hours) - up/down 50 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gairlochy

Day 3: Gairlochy to Laggan
Today the route runs along the peaceful western shores of Loch Lochy. There are splendid views over the loch as you pass below towering mountains walking mainly on wide, beautiful and quite forests tracks.
On approaching South Laggan the track starts to descend and joins a minor road at Kilfinnan. This section of the Way offers a nice walk along a wooded strip of land with the canal visible at times to the left. You walk close to the site of the Clan Battle of the Shirts in 1544.
Distance: 19 km (5 hours) - up/down 50 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Laggan

Day 4: Laggan to Fort Augustus
Following first the old railway line, abandoned in 1946, and then a section of General Wade’s Military Road, you will walk along the tranquil shores of the loch through beautiful mixed woodland where wildlife abounds. The route offers scenic sections with lovely views along Loch Oich. At historic Fort Augustus you should visit the grand, imposing Abbey, which until recently housed Benedictine monks.
Distance: 17.6 km (4 hours) - up/down 50 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Fort Augustus

Day 5: Fort Augustus to Invermoriston
A day out walking through the pristine and beautiful ancient forests of Scotland. From Fort Augustus you start the first real climb of the week but the reward is a series of breath taking views back over the village and across Loch Ness as you follow high forest tracks to Invermoriston. As you come into the tiny village and cross the mighty river Moriston, have a look at the splendid old bridge, a Telford design.
Distance: 12.8 km (3.5 hours) - up/down 300 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Invermoriston

Day 6: Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit
The path descends through the trees to the area of an Iron Age fort near Grotaig. After one last climb the way emerges onto a single track road and crosses a moorland where pretty coloured heather abounds. You will then cross through another magnificent forest before the way starts a steep descent into Drumnadrochit.
Distance: 22.4 km (5-6 hours) - up/down 575 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Drumnadrochit

Day 7: Drumnadrochit to Inverness
This stage is perhaps the most varied of all, with further ascent and descent and a mixture of farmland, moorland and forests offering unforgettable views back over Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.
Distance: 28.8 km (8 hours) - up/down 300 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Inverness

Day 8: Departure
Make your own transfer arrangements.
Meals included: Breakfast 

                                               Inverness area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	44	45	49	53	58	62	66	65	61	55	49	45
Average Low Temperature (°F)	34	33	36	39	44	49	52	52	48	43	38	34
Average High Temperature (°C)	7	7	9	12	15	17	19	18	16	13	9	7
Average Low Temperature (°C)	1	1	2	4	6	9	11	11	9	6	3	1
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	12	9	11	9	9	9	9	10	11	12	12	12

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Scotland’s climate is quite moderate though changeable. As the old Scottish saying goes, 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes!'
One of the most surprising things about Scotland's climate is how much it varies from one place to another. It's often the case that you can drive for 20 minutes and find the conditions are different.
The unpredictable nature means it's not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day!

Spring
A beautiful time to visit, this season sees daffodils, bluebells, cherry blossom and rhododendrons bursting into bloom. With sprightly wildlife and a milder breeze in the air, there's plenty of activities to enjoy.
Even if you do experience an April shower or two, there is a fantastic range of galleries, museums and other attractions to keep you entertained all year-round, regardless of the weather.

Summer
Scotland's high latitude means that we enjoy lovely long summer days and often an extended twilight. In the north of the country, Lerwick in Shetland has about four hours more daylight at midsummer than London.  And, with the extra hours of daylight, you can pack a lot into your summer holiday.

Autumn
The colors of autumn are eye-catching and vibrant, as the trees change from green to fiery reds, oranges and yellows. It's a perfect time of year to snap some photographs as you take an invigorating autumn amble through the forest.

Winter
The average number of days with snow falling in Scotland ranges from 10-20 days. However, the peaks and mountains of the Highlands experience around 40 days of falling snow.

Your luggage is transported for you every day. Luggage is limited to one bag per person and with a weight limit of 20kg.

** No trip reports found with the tour ID you provided.

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so you will sleep in different accommodations along the trail.

Description
You will stay in 3/4 star hotels, guests houses, country inns and bed and breakfast. Occasionally we have to book a nearby village in peak times which would mean a shorter day and a long days walk the next day.
Our handpicked accommodations are chosen for their accessibility to the route and warmth of welcome. We try and find accommodation which is interesting, and we are sure all our providers of accommodation will show an active interest in your tour progress.

We try and provide en-suite rooms where possible but on occasions, this may not be possible on some tours. If you insist on an en-suite room then please provide this request during the booking process.

Accommodation Itinerary for Road bike option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Berwick upon Tweed
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Kelso
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Melrose or Galashiels

Accommodation Itinerary for Standard option - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Accommodation in Berwick upon Tweed
Night 3 & 4: Accommodation in Kelso
Night 5 & 6: Accommodation in Melrose or Galashiels

Room Occupancy
All our prices are based on two persons sharing a twin/double room. However, single persons are most welcome but incur a supplement.


Meals
Your package includes all breakfasts. Lunches and dinners are not included and should be paid locally.

We try and provide en-suite rooms where possible but on occasions, this may not be possible on some tours. If you insist on an en-suite room then please provide this request during the booking process.


Special diets

Tack:
Horses:
Pace:
Level:		(3 out of 5)    Moderate
Riders:		Min 2 riders

Insurance
It is essential that you have adequate travel insurance that you have purchased to cover cancellations, accidents, and repatriation etc. You will need to provide details (insurer, policy number and medical emergency telephone number) of the insurance you have purchased.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you have purchased covers you for your particular activity. We will not accept liability for any costs, losses or expenses which you incur as a result in not getting the correct level of cover.

Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
(a) A passport is not required for travel between Great Britain and Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. (b) Passengers transiting the UK destined for the Republic of Ireland are advised to hold return tickets to avoid delay and interrogation.

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to six months.
Visa Note
(a) Nationals not requiring visas are advised to be in possession of either a return ticket or, if arriving on a one-way ticket, proof of sufficient funds to accommodate and support themselves for the duration of stay. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.