The Great Glen Way

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Guidebook to walking the Great Glen Way, a 79 mile National Trail along the Caledonia Canal from Fort William to Inverness. Easily walked within a week in all seasons, the Great Glen Way is an ideal introduction to long-distance walking in Scotland. The route is described in both directions, and a separate OS 1:25K mapping booklet is included.

Cicerone says:

Walk Scotland’s Great Glen Way, a remarkable 120km (74-mile) long-distance trail through the Highlands from Fort William to Inverness. One of Scotland’s Great Trails, the Great Glen Way follows the Caledonian Canal and a series of lochs — including Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and the legendary Loch Ness. Achievable for first-time long-distance walkers yet rewarding for experienced hikers, this well-waymarked route offers flexible daily distances and good transport links, making it an ideal introduction to Scotland’s long-distance trails.

Created to help you get the most from every stage of the journey, this Cicerone guidebook provides clear, day-by-day route descriptions for walking the Great Glen Way in both traditional directions, from Fort William to Inverness or in reverse for a fresh perspective on the landscape. A separate OS 1:25,000 map booklet showing the full route line is included with the guidebook, enabling easy and accurate navigation throughout your journey.

• The Great Trail is divided into 6 manageable stages, each clearly described with distance, terrain and ascent details, plus alternative walking schedules to help you tailor the journey to your timeframe and fitness level
• High- and low-level options are described for key parts of the trail, offering a choice between more challenging, view-rich variants and easier, sheltered paths, helping you adapt each day’s walk to the weather and your own preferences
• A dedicated stage facilities planner outlines what you will find at the end of every stage and at key points en route, including accommodation listings, food shops, cafés, pubs and other refreshments in key towns and villages like Drumnadrochit, Fort Augustus and Gairlochy.
• Insightful background information brings the route to life, including the history and engineering of the Caledonian Canal and the enduring myth and folklore of Loch Ness, enriching your understanding of the landscape you’re walking through
• Downloadable GPX files for the full Great Glen Way and its variants provide a simple digital navigation option for use on smartphones or GPS devices, offering extra reassurance

The Great Glen Way offers a rewarding experience through classic Highland scenery, linking lochs, forests and historic waterways along a natural route through the country. With detailed guidance, practical planning tools and reliable navigation, this Cicerone guidebook provides everything you need to walk the trail with confidence.

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they've always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you're a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Location: Scottish Highlands, Scotland (Fort William to Inverness)
• Total distance: ~124 km / ~79 miles
• Typical duration: ~5–6 days (walkable within a week)
• Start: Fort William
• Finish: Inverness
• Route type: Long‑distance waymarked trail / National Trail
• Difficulty: Moderate; low‑level walking suitable for many abilities
• Terrain: Caledonian Canal towpaths, lochside paths, forest tracks, old roads
• Navigation: Guidebook descriptions with mapping and downloadable GPX files

Specifications

• Weighs: 292g
• Size: 17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm
• Edition: Third
• Number of pages: 208