Adventure of the Week: Great Glen Escape

Sometimes, great adventures come in small packages. The Great Glen Way Escape is a short but sweet version of the full 79 mile Great Glen Way, taking in the highlights of the historic region in 4 nights (with 3 days of walking).

Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness — Urquhart Castle is one of the best known sights on the edge of iconic Loch Ness.

In a nutshell:

Where: Scotland’s Great Glen is a geological fault-line which runs Coast to Coast from Fort William to Inverness. Whilst there is a designated walking trail which walks the full length of the Great Glen, this trail follows the Loch Ness section from Fort Augustus to Inverness, making it a fabulous way to see the world famous landmark.

Grade: Graded moderate, there is an amount of ascent and descent (resulting in fantastic views of Loch Ness itself), but it is a very manageable route.

Distance: A fairly relaxed 33 miles over 3 walking days.

Autumn at invermoriston — Head to the Great Glen in autumn for stunning colours.

Why Walk Here?

There are so many benefits to even just taking a few days to immerse yourself in nature, and enjoy the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.

This is the heartland of Scottish Highland myth and legend. Loch Ness, fabled for the elusive “Nessie”, is one of the icons of quintessential Scotland. Incredibly scenic, the loch and surrounding areas attract visitors from all around the world, and you are guaranteed the perfect combination of wilderness, peace, and companionship as you encounter travellers from all around the world in the small towns and villages.

Planning & Preparation

This 4 night short walking break is best enjoyed between August & October, and a particularly beautiful part of the world towards the end of the summer & into autumn. The weather (this is Scotland, after all) can be rainy any time of year, so always pack those waterproofs, but chances are you will get the traditional mix of “four seasons in one day” and enjoy some sunshine too!

Inverness is easy to get to by train, bus, or air, and from Inverness Scottish Citylink run a bus to Fort Augustus, to the start of this walk.

If you’d like any more information, or ideas for short but active adventures, contact our team anytime on info@macsadventure.com.