GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Great Glen Way

72.70 miles (117 km)

Follow the Great Glen, running from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east. The route is suitable for walkers and cyclists with a mountain bike or robust hybrid.
The stunning trail follows the Caledonian Canal and the shores of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness with the mountains of the Ben Nevis range making a splendid backdrop. The route also passes Fort Augustus and includes several woodland sections, most notably through Creag nan Eun Forest. The final section along the River Ness to the finish point at Inverness Castle is also noteworthy.
The route is coincident with the Caledonia Way. This epic cycle route runs for 234 miles from Campbeltown to Inverness. It's a great way of continuing your cycling or walking in the area.
The Great Glen Way is waymarked with a black hexagon thistle.

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Great Glen Way OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Great Glen Way Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Glenmoriston Arms Hotel in Invermoriston is a fine place to stop for some refreshments. The hotel has an interesting history being set in a former drover's inn dating from 1740. The old stags head on the wall looks over you as you enter and has welcomed travellers from all over the word for decades. They have a cosy bar area and a nice restaurant which does very good food. There's also a nice garden area to relax in on warmer days and good quality accommodation if you need to stay over.

Dog Walking

The Moorings Hotel overlooks the Caldonian canal in Banavie. You can sit outside on the decking area and enjoy fine views of Ben Nevis and Neptune's Staircase, the longest lock flight in Scotland.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Near Inverness you could head a short distance north east to visit one of the historic highlights of the area at Culloden Battlefield. There's a circular walking trail here which explores the site of the famous battle of 1746. The site includes an informative visitor centre where you can learn all about this fascinating conflict. On the south eastern side of the battlefield there's also the Clava Cairns and the Culloden Viaduct. The ancient Bronze Age site includes prehistoric burial monuments and the remains of a medieval chapel. It's also a short walk from the eye catching Culloden Viaduct which carries the Highland Main Line over the River Nairn.
The Affric Kintail Way can be picked up at Drumnadrochit on the western side of Loch Ness. This long distance trail runs from the loch to Morvich via Glen Urquhart and Glen Affric. If you were to follow the trail west from Loch Ness it would take you to Loch Meiklie and the village of Cannich. Also near Drumnadrochit you can visit the historic Urquhart Castle. The photogenic 13th century castle ruins are positioned in a dramatic spot overlooking the western side of Loch Ness.
At Loch Ness you can enjoy a view of Invermoriston Falls from the 19th century Thomas Telford bridge. The old bridge is located just south west of the village and provides fine views over the rushing falls.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Scottish Highlands Walks page.

Photos

High point of the Great Glen Way (geograph 5112302)

High point of the Great Glen Way. The stone shelter marks the highest point, 422m, between Fort William and Inverness. Appropriately enough there is a great view of Loch Ness.

On the great Glen Way - geograph.org.uk - 1234272

Corryfoyness croft and Cnoc an t'Saraidh in the distance.

Great Glen Way - geograph.org.uk - 890263

A cleared section between Fort Augustus and Invermoriston which offers over the steep bracken-covered mountainside to Loch Ness below.

Great Glen Way near Blackfold (geograph 6193471)

Great Glen Way near Blackfold

Start of the Great Glen Way - geograph.org.uk - 888709

Start of the Great Glen Way Stone marking the Fort William terminal of the Great Glen Way, a 73 mile long path following the geological fault along the Glen to Inverness. This stone stands outside the Old Fort (seen in background) in Fort William.

Great Glen Way - geograph.org.uk - 570278

These boards mark a viewpoint over Loch Ness on the Great Glen Way.

Great Glen Way at Loch Lochy - geograph.org.uk - 1396883

Loch Lochy

Inverness Castle and Great Glen Way finish post^ - geograph.org.uk - 219990

Inverness Castle and Great Glen Way finish post^

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Great Glen Way.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Great Glen Way.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)