Walking Tours in united-kingdom

Great Glen Way

This long distance trail was opened in April 2002. It starts at Fort William and crosses the Highlands to finish in Inverness. On route you will pass by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, and follow the shores of Loch Ness. Finally you will reach the northern most city in Scotland, the 'capital of the Highlands', Inverness. The forts and castles scattered along the way are all witnesses to Scotland's turbulent past, from the Iron Age to the Jacobite Rebellion lead by Bonnie Prince Charlie who was finally defeated at the Battle of Culloden.

The walk starts in Fort William and follows the riverside and the Caledonian Canal. This section of walk offers exceptional views of the Ben Nevis. From Gairlochy we walk along the length of Loch Lochy and then Loch Oich, mainly through ash, birch, elm, and hazel woodland. This section of the route is fairly easy walking with two short steep ascents. The gentle descent from Aberchalder is perhaps the most secluded stretch of canal passing the delightful Kytra Loch and through splendid mixed forest to Fort Augustus. We leave Fort Augustus by a steep climb which is rewarded by good views back over the town with its loch and abbey once the top of the hill is reached. The way is now along the shoreline of Loch Ness following steeply undulating forest tracks, sometimes high above the loch, with splendid views and on occasions descending almost to the road. The path then skirts round Urquhart Bay which is a flatter marshy area of alder around two river estuaries. On the way there are fine views of the thirteenth century Urquhart Castle. From Drumnadrochit a short taxi transfer is arranged and we rejoin the Way near Loch Laide. This last section of the walk which descends into Inverness is very varied with a mixture of farmland, exposed high moorlands and woodland. Our journey finishes at Inverness.

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