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Scotland's Great Glen Way walking trail stretches 75 miles from Fort William to the capital of the highlands, Inverness. Based on board a comfortable barge at night, this hike and cruise offers the opportunity to walk sections of the route at a easy pace from one coast of Scotland to the other. During the week long trip, the barge stops are planned to suit the walking stages, breaking them into manageable day walks of between 5 and 11 miles. Guided along the route by an experienced escort, who will point out places of interest along the way, there is no shortage of highlights. From impressive views of the mystical Loch Ness to glimpses of Scotland's highest peak, Ben Nevis, this relaxed pace walk will immerse you in the Scottish Highlands. In the evening, share stories of your day with like minded travellers and relish in the accomplishment of walking the breadth of Scotland.
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101kg of CO2-e PP per day
(606kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Embark Banavie, walk to Gairlochy - 1.5hrs(9.5km/6mi)
Boarding time is 14:00. After meeting the crew and the other guests our first walk is along the towpath, a level walk from Banavie to Gairlochy. Along the way, take in the views of Ben Nevis and pass by Moy Bridge (the last remaining hand wound bridge on the Caledonian Canal). Alternatively, stay aboard and enjoy a short walk around Gairlochy after your first cruise of the holiday.
Meals: D
Day 2
Join the Great Glen Way to Mile Dorcha, cruise or cycle to Laggan Locks -3hrs (11km/7mi)
Leaving Gairlochy on foot we follow the Great Glen way towards Bunarkaig Bay offering some stunning views of both Ben Nevis and the full length of Loch Lochy towards South Laggan. Our route continues through the Clan Cameron estate, passing Chia-aig falls and on to the Mile Dorcha (Dark Mile). The afternoon can be filled with either a cruise or a cycle along the remaining section of Loch Lochy, before we berth at Laggan locks overnight.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Continue through pine woods and alongside the River Garry - 5hrs (17.7km/11mi)
A wonderful day of adventure. We leave Laggan locks to start our walk up the old Great Glen cycle way. Most of the walk is in the woodlands and follows the River Garry up to Whitebridge. The riverside paths on the way back to Invergarry provide great opportunities to spot wildlife. The barge will be lying at anchor on Loch Oich awaiting our return.
Day 4
Walk to Fort Augustus - 5hrs (12km/8mi)
The morning walk (3mi) is along the banks of Loch Oich, on the cycle trail, with a small section on General Wade’s Military Road. The walk ends at the barge, which will be at Cullochy locks for lunch. A 5 mile walk makes up the rest of the journey to Fort Augustus, first along a towpath and then up a small hill Torr a Choiltreich (117m) which offers fantastic views of Loch Ness. The descent takes us into Fort Augustus.
Day 5
Fort Augustus Loop walk then cruise to foyers - 2.5hrs (8km/5mi)
Today we have a loop walk from Fort Augustus that heads out to Culachy falls. The trail is mainly on woodland paths and slightly narrow in places. It heads through Culachy estate via Kilchuimen burial ground, which is the final resting place of John Anderson, a close friend of the Scottish bard Robert Burns. Alternatively, there are numerous other paths that lead around Fort Augustus that can be self guided. The barge will cruise in the afternoon to Foyers, its overnight berth.
Day 6
Loop walk to visit falls and a gorge, optional walk to Dochgarroch - 2- 4hrs (6.5-13km/4-8mi)
The morning we have a 4mi circular walk leading first up to the Lower Falls of Foyers via an ancient woodland with dramatic views of the gorge below, before following a track close to the loch side back to Foyers pier. After cruising the majority of Loch Ness, a drop off maybe possible near Dores for the start of a 4 mile walk. The walk takes in scenic views of the Northern end of Loch Ness and cuts through a pretty section of woodland near Aldourie Castle. The pick up point of the walk is from a small harbour before we spend the night at Dochgarroch.
Day 7
Finish the walk at Corpach Sea Lock (2.5hrs), return to the barge, trip concludes
The final morning offers a choice of walks. The first from Dochgarroch to Muirtown basin. The second, after the barge has cruised from Dochgarroch and arrives at Muirtown locks, is a short loop walk to the sea lock and back (2.4km/1.5mi).
Meals: B
Arrive Inverness, walk to Muirtown Sea Lock, cruise or cycle to Dochgarroch (12km/7.5mi)
Boarding time is 14:00. After settling in on board, a short (1.5mi) walk to Muirtown Sea lock and back is on offer. It takes you to the easterly point on the Caledonian Canal and allows you to stretch your legs at the start of your holiday. Afterwards you can relax on the barge as we cruise the 6 miles of canal to Dochgarroch, or you can cycle the towpath to Dochgarroch.
Walk past Aldourie Castle, cruise to Foyers, walk to Falls of Foyers (6.5-13km/4-8mi)
After a short cruise, an option of a drop off will be available for the start of a 4 mile walk. The walk goes through a pretty section of woodland, crosses the Aldourie Castle estate and finally passes Tor Point, offering scenic views of Loch Ness. You would then be picked up at a beach near the village of Dores. We then cruise to Foyers for an afternoon walk and overnight stay. Once at Foyers there is a lovely afternoon walk of 4 miles, leading first to the Falls of Foyers via an ancient woodland, with dramatic views of the gorge below, before arriving at the picturesque Falls. This is followed by climbing a steep hill for a wonderful view of Loch Ness. The walk then follows a path down through Foyers village and on to the barge.
Cruise Loch Ness to Fort Augustus, walk to Culachy Falls (8km/5mi)
The barge will cruise the remaining part of Loch Ness to Fort Augustus where it will remain for the rest of the day and overnight. The guided walk on offer from Fort Augustus is a loop that heads out to Culachy falls. The trail is mainly on woodland paths and heads through Culachy estate via Kilchuimen burial ground, which is the final resting place of John Anderson, a close friend of the Scottish bard Robert Burns. Alternatively, there are numerous other paths that lead around Fort Augustus that can be self guided.
Walk to Cullochy locks via viewpoint of Loch Ness, continue to Invergarry Castle (12km/7.7mi)
The morning walk (7.5km/4.7mi) heads up a small hill (117m) which gives fantastic views up Loch Ness, before descending and heading along the tow path to Cullochy locks for lunch. The afternoon walk is a very relaxed 5km/3 miles along the bank of Loch Oich, following the new National Cycle route the “Caledonia Way” and will end at the barge, which will be at anchor beside Invergarry Castle.
Walk through woodlands and alongside the River Garry (17.5km/11mi)
The majority of today's walk is in the woodlands and follows the River Garry to a stunning waterfall near loch Garry. The riverside paths on the return to Invergarry provide great opportunities to spot wildlife. The walk continues either along a quiet back road or along the canal, finishing at Laggan locks.
Cruise at Loch Lochy then walk to Gairlochy (11km/7mi)
This morning you cruise along the majority of Loch Lochy to Bunarkaig Bay. In the afternoon a 7 mile walk will be on offer, which heads along the ‘Mile Dorcha’ (Dark mile) and Chia-aig falls and then through the Cameron of Loch Eil estate. The walk finishes at Gairlochy later in the afternoon.
Final walk to Banavie (9.5km/6mi), trip concludes
The final morning walk is along a towpath, passing the only hand wound bridge left in the Great Glen at Moy and offers fantastic views of Ben Nevis and Aonach Mor. The walk will finish at Banavie, where the barge will await our return.
What's included
What's not included
Ros Crana has 6 en-suite cabins with a large (4’) lower berth and a standard (2’6”) berth above. All berths are 6’4” long, have a radiator, heated towel rail, good storage and a large opening window.
There are 6 ensuite cabins with a large (3'6") lower berth and a standard (2'6") berth above. All berths are 6'3" long, have under floor heating, heated towel rail, good storage and a large opening window.
GRADE 1 - Walking approx. 4 miles/ 6.5 km to 11miles/ 17km. 3-5 hours The route has many flat sections close to the canal and lochs but also includes some short steep hills and longer hills. There is an option to stay on board should you not want to walk some sections.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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