Great Glen Way

The Great Glen Way is a long-distance route that starts in Fort William and ends in Inverness, following the major natural faultline of the Great Glen which divides Scotland from coast to coast. This extraordinary trail is 79 mi / 127 km long and offering breathtaking landscapes of lochs, hills, and forests. If you are looking for a gentle walk in Scotland, the Great Glen Way is an excellent option. In this blog post, we will provide you with all the information that you need to complete the Great Glen Way, including a map, the route and stages, accommodation, baggage transfer, camping, and more! The Great Glen Way starts at the foot of the impressive Ben Nevis and takes you along the coasts of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and the forests above Loch Ness. This route will also guide you through some historical milestones of this turbulent region, past castles, forts, and scenes of some of Scotland’s bloodiest battles. As one of the highlights of Scotland walking holidays, the Great Glen Way offers a unique blend of natural beauty and history. Despite running at lower levels, you can also choose to follow the higher level option of the trail between Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit. This higher section offers more dramatic views for a little more effort.

I walked the West Highland Way, or Slighe na Gaidhealtacha on Iar, in Scottish Gaelic, a 154km trail in April 2023 with Bookatrekking. It was one of my first solo hiking trips, and because I had no experience carrying a heavy backpack, I decided to book luggage transfer and walk from hotel to hotel. Overall, it was very well-organized, and every day, it was transported on time to the next destination. For the trail, you can decide the difficulty based on your level of experience. I took the 'intermediate level package', where you walk in 6 days from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William. For hiking, this means a minimum of 5 hours (15 km, incl breaks) and a maximum of 8.5 hours (31 km, incl. breaks) per day.

With its green hills, dramatic weather, whisky distilleries and characterful villages, the Scottish Highlands spark the imagination of many travelers. What’s a better way to experience this magical region than climbing its tallest peak, Ben Nevis! It is in fact the highest mountain in Great Britain and attracts thousands of hiking enthusiasts each year. That doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. The hike starts pretty much at sea level and you really have to work hard to earn those summit views (weather permitting!). We created what may be the best short trek in Scotland. The combination of the final stage on the West Highland Way and the Ben Nevis hike is a guarantee for a true Scottish hiking experience. Join us for an epic adventure in the rugged hills of Scotland. Fàilte gu Alba! (Welcome to Scotland!)