Location: Scotland, UK.
Distance: 129 kms.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Estimated Time: 4 days.
Best for: Countryside, forest, Lochs, Canals, Trail paths, Hills, Mountains.
Start / Finish: Inverness Castle / Fort William.
Scotland has always had a special place in my heart, and in 2024 I finally got around to walking The Great Glen Way.
Most people walk the route from Fort William to Inverness, but I decided to do it the other way around. My reason was simple. Having previously climbed Ben Nevis, I knew what an incredible mountain it was, and I wanted to finish my walk with Ben Nevis in front of me rather than behind me.
Although I completed this walk in 2024, some adventures stay with you long after you finish them. Looking back through my photographs and trail notes recently reminded me just how special the Great Glen Way was and why it deserves a place on PositiveOutdoor365.
Looking back, walking from Inverness to Fort William was one of the best decisions I made.
Day 1 – Inverness to Drumnadrochit (Lewiston) (34 km)
After arriving in Inverness and sorting my gear, it was time to get moving. The weather was kind, and before long I had settled into a comfortable walking rhythm.
The route Starts/Finsh at Inverness Castle and follows the famous Loch Ness for long stretches, and there is something special about walking beside such a huge body of water. The views constantly change depending on the light and weather, and there is always that little thought in the back of your mind wondering if Nessie might decide to appear.
Along the way, I stopped at the Loch Ness Visitor Centre. After spending much of the day walking beside the loch, it seemed only right to learn a little more about its history and, of course, the legend of Nessie. It was a worthwhile stop and added something extra to the day.
After 34 km I arrived at Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge in Drumnadrochit (Lewiston).
After checking in, I headed to the fish and chip shop next to the Co-op and treated myself to a well-earned meal before returning to the hostel.
The only problem came later in the bunkhouse.
The snoring was unbelievable. I could hear it all night long, which says something because I wear hearing aids and am hard of hearing. If I could hear it, everyone else certainly could!
Needless to say, I was up early the following morning.
Day 2 – Drumnadrochit (Lewiston) to Fort Augustus (35 km)
The second day was another long one at around 35 km.
The weather had become surprisingly warm, and the miles slowly ticked by as Loch Ness remained my companion for much of the day.
Eventually I reached Fort Augustus, famous for its impressive lock system on the Caledonian Canal.
It is a lovely place to stop and watch the boats working their way through the locks while walkers, cyclists and tourists enjoy the atmosphere.
My accommodation for the night was Morag’s Lodge, a popular stop for walkers and cyclists travelling through the Highlands.
After another long day on the trail, it was good to rest the legs and prepare for the next stage.
Day 3 – Fort Augustus to Loch Lochy near Clunes (36 km)
This was probably my favourite day of the entire route.
Leaving Fort Augustus, the path follows the Caledonian Canal before moving alongside Loch Lochy. The scenery is absolutely stunning, with hills rising around the loch and reflections dancing across the water.
After around 36 km, I found a beautiful spot on the shoreline just past Clunes and pitched my tent beside Loch Lochy.
It was one of those wild camping spots you never forget.
The evening was peaceful, the views were incredible, and waking up beside the loch the following morning reminded me exactly why I enjoy long-distance walking so much.
One tip for anyone planning to camp beside the lochs. Always check local water levels before pitching your tent. A quick search online can help. Water levels can rise, and a perfect-looking wild campsite in the evening may not look quite so perfect by morning.
Day 4 – Loch Lochy to Fort William (24 km)
After a peaceful night by the water, I packed up and started the final day towards Fort William.
Much of the route followed the Caledonian Canal and its impressive series of locks.
Along one of the locks, I met a walker who had been camping nearby. He came over and asked if I knew where he could find water.
Unfortunately, I knew there wasn’t much available ahead of him, and he was actually walking towards where I had come from, where there were a few houses and hotels further back.
Luckily, I had a spare bottle of water and was happy to give it to him.
It always surprises me how many people head out without enough water or a backup plan. One thing I always carry is a water filter. It weighs very little and can make a huge difference on longer walks.
Around half an hour later, I met two young American lads and a young American woman heading in the opposite direction.
As we passed, we exchanged greetings.
The young woman was carrying an empty metal mug in her hand and looked hopeful.
“Do you know where I can get a coffee?” she asked.
I couldn’t help laughing.
It was around 8:30 on a Sunday morning in the Scottish Highlands.
“Yes,” I replied. “Walk another seven kilometres, turn here and there, and you’ll eventually reach a hotel. It should be open around 11 o’clock.”
The looks on their faces were priceless.
I don’t think they were expecting the next coffee stop to be several hours away.
It’s one of the lessons Scotland teaches you quickly. Services can be few and far between, and a little planning goes a long way.
Walking Towards Ben Nevis
As Fort William drew closer, I reached Banavie and the famous Neptune’s Staircase.
Watching the boats work their way through the locks while knowing the finish was getting closer added something special to the day.
From there, the route heads towards the coast before reaching Fort William itself.
Then came the moment I had been waiting for since leaving Inverness.
Ben Nevis slowly began to dominate the skyline.
The closer I got, the bigger it became.
You could feel the presence of the mountain long before reaching the town.
For me, this was exactly why I chose to walk the route in reverse. Every day felt like I was walking towards something. The lochs, the forests, the canals, the locks and finally the mountains all seemed to build towards one unforgettable finish.
Standing in Fort William with Ben Nevis towering above after days of walking through the Highlands felt like the perfect ending to a truly beautiful route.
The Great Glen Way is definitely one of those walks.
Navigation & Planning
Navigation on the Great Glen Way is generally straightforward, with good waymarking throughout most of the route.
For this walk, I used the OS Maps app on my phone, which worked well and allowed me to keep track of my progress each day. As a backup, I also carried the Cicerone Great Glen Way Map Book, which I found useful for planning stages, checking distances, and getting a better overview of the route ahead.
Although the trail is well marked, I still believe in carrying a backup. Phones can run out of battery, get wet, or simply stop working when you least expect it. Having both digital and paper navigation gave me extra confidence throughout the walk.
As always, preparation is part of the adventure.
One Final Question…
People often ask me the same question whenever I mention walking the Great Glen Way.
“Did you see Nessie?”
Well, I’m sorry to disappoint, but despite spending days alongside Loch Ness, I didn’t spot the famous monster.
That said, I did manage to pick one up from a gift shop along the way for my granddaughter, so I didn’t leave Scotland completely empty-handed!
Whether Nessie is real or not, Loch Ness certainly has a magic of its own, and it remains one of the highlights of this fantastic route.
Distance: Approximately 129 km (the official Great Glen Way is around 127 km, but route diversions in place during my walk increased the total distance)
Duration: 4 Days
Route: Inverness to Fort William
Accommodation: Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge (Kilmore), Morag’s Lodge (Fort Augustus), Wild Camp beside Loch Lochy near Clunes
“Would I walk it again? Absolutely.”
Chris ( Clogs )
PositiveOutdoor365 – Escape, Discover, Grow
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2026