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Walkers pause on a wooden bridge with twisted branch railings amid ferns
Fort William

The Great Glen Way by Thistle Trekking

Welcome

The Great Glen Way is a 79 mile trek which begins in Fort William and finishes in Inverness.

The trail follows a beautiful low level path that offers a fantastic introduction to long distance walking. The paths underfoot are as good as the views, so you can walk and look around rather than watch where to place your feet. Highlights of the Great Glen Way Walking along the side of Loch Ness, home of the legendary monster. Views of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain. Following the Caledonian Canal, one of the world’s greatest waterways. Finishing in the beautiful city of Inverness, by following the River Ness through to the official end marker.

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The Daily for 1 November, from Scotland with love. A misty lane runs past slate-roofed cottages toward a wooded hillside.
Round the cornerThe Great Glen WayA 79-mile way from Fort William to Inverness along the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness, walked in stages.1 min by roadSee itTall pines and mossy ground in a misty forest along the Great Glen.

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  1. Jacobite Steam TrainJacobite Steam TrainA steam train from Fort William to Mallaig and back, 84 miles over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, in summer.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Fort WilliamFort WilliamThe town under Ben Nevis at the head of Loch Linnhe, where the West Highland Way ends and the Jacobite leaves.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Green tent pitched by the shore of a loch flanked by hillsNorth West Wilderness Weekend with Thistle TrekkingThe North West Wilderness Weekend gives you the chance to walk the first 4 days of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Fort William to Kinloch Hourn.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Bare trees reflected in a still river beside a stone-lined bankEast Highland Way with Thistle TrekkingUnder a mile 1 min by road
  5. The copper stills in the still house at Ben Nevis Distillery, a group of visitors among them.Ben Nevis DistilleryA whisky distillery at Lochy Bridge on the edge of Fort William, founded in 1825, with a visitor centre, coffee shop, tours and tastings.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
Tall pines and mossy ground in a misty forest along the Great Glen.AttractionsThe Great Glen Way0.2 miles
Stone perimeter wall with "Historic Area, No Camping, No Fires" sign beside a gravel pathAttractionsThe Old Fort0.4 miles
The front of the Wildcat on Fort William's High Street, its window full of the café.CafeThe Wildcat0.5 miles
Corner building on a cobbled street housing The Highland BookshopShoppingHighland Bookshop0.6 miles
The Lime Tree's stone house with blue windows behind its garden and a great tree, Fort William.RestaurantsLime Tree Hotel0.8 miles
Passengers aboard a blue tour boat crossing a calm loch below green hillsRestaurantsCrannog at Garrison West1.0 miles
The curtain wall and towers of Old Inverlochy Castle round its grassy courtyard.AttractionsOld Inverlochy Castle1.5 miles
The Highland Soap Company's long white building with its timber gable, trees behind, a car park in front.ShoppingThe Highland Soap Company Fort William1.6 miles
The Great Hall at Inverlochy Castle at night, with glass chandeliers, tall curtained windows, armchairs and a piano.RestaurantsSeasgair by Michel Roux Jr2.6 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near The Great Glen Way by Thistle Trekking, and when each is next free.

RiverBeds at Woodlands Glencoe
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ballachulish
  • 10 miles from The Great Glen Way by Thistle Trekking
Check datesStormhouse South, Argyll and ButeStormhouse South
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 20 miles from The Great Glen Way by Thistle Trekking
Free 31 Jan – 5 FebStormhouse North, Argyll and ButeStormhouse North
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 20 miles from The Great Glen Way by Thistle Trekking
Free 1–6 FebGlenhurich Lodge, white-harled with dormer windows, at the end of its track behind a beech hedge, snow on the hills beyond.Glenhurich Lodge
  • Sleeps 11
  • In Glenhurich
  • 20 miles from The Great Glen Way by Thistle Trekking
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in Fort WilliamAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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