5 Days & 4 Nights

4.5

Great Glen Cycleway

Complete a Scottish coast to coast journey by bike
Visit 13th century Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness
Highland hospitality and cyclist friendly accommodation
Ride the single track of Loch Lochy and Loch Oich
Pedal the lush glen and hillsides of the Great Glen fault line

The Great Glen is an amazing geographical fault line that splits Scotland in two, forming dramatic lochs and glens and one of the most famous bodies of water in the world; Loch Ness. Biking along the banks of loch after loch, travelling from coast to coast is an amazing experience that immerses you in the iconic scenery of the Great Glen. From relaxing canal-side riding to flying down neat singletrack, the Great Glen Cycleway is a beautiful, challenging way to spend a couple of days. Your trip begins in the shadow of Ben Nevis, at Fort William. From there you ease into the journey by following the Caledonian Canal, passing the man-made phenomenon of Neptune’s Staircase. You will soon be cycling on singletrack and fire road alongside the first of a series of lochs, Loch Lochy then Loch Oich. Reach Fort Augustus, the gateway to Loch Ness which dominates the rest of your trip. With challenging climbs to reveal magnificent views and stunning, high speed downhills, the trip really does have a little bit of everything. Stay at hand-picked B&B’s, guesthouses and small country hotels, and enjoy the convenience of daily baggage transfer on this wonderful mountain biking holiday in Scotland.

From £630.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Fort William

Begin your trip in the Fort William, easily accessible by rail and road links from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Its position on the shores of the sea loch Loch Linnhe at the base of UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, means the town has become the self-styled outdoor capital of the Highlands.

A bustling town with a good selection of outdoor shops where you can pick-up last minute items for your trip. Get your Great Glen Way cycling holiday off to a good start by spending the evening enjoying a hearty meal accompanied by a local dram or two in a Highland pub before heading out with anticpation tomorrow morning.

Overnight Fort William

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Myrtle Bank Guest House | Guest House

Dora welcomes you with open arms to her lovely guest house, Myrtle Bank. Overlooking Loch Linnhe and just a short stroll from the town centre and its selection of shops, pubs and restaurants, this is the perfect place to relax after a day of exploration.

Guisachan House | Guest House

A warm welcome awaits you at Guisachan House, a family run private guest house. They are situated in an elevated position off the main road with views over Loch Linnhe and surrounding hills only 5 minutes walking distance from Fort William town centre. They have 17 bedrooms and a guest lounge and bar offering wine, beer, spirits and malt whiskey. Wireless Internet is available for the guests. There is some photography dotted around the guest house taken by Phil, one of the owners.

Fassfern Guesthouse | Guest House

Located in a prime residential area overlooking Loch Linnhe, the guest house is only a 5-minute walk from the shops and restaurants in Fort William town centre. You are assured a warm welcome at this splendid property with ensuite bedrooms.

Day 2 Fort William to Invergarry 27 miles / 44 km

The first section of the trail is relatively easy-going and follows a traffic-free towpath along the Caledonian Canal. Get a close-up view of Neptune’s Staircase, the longest series of canal locks in the UK, perhaps pausing to watch boats navigate this engineering wonder. On reaching Gairlochy the trail leaves the canalside tow-path behind for single track riding. Continuing inland, ascend above the loch on good tracks/fire-roads through ancient forest to reach the village of Laggan. From here skirt the main road en route to Invergarry for the night.

Ascent/descent: 284 m / 231 m

Overnight Invergarry

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Glengarry Castle Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Glengarry Castle Hotel is a comfortable country house hotel located on the shores of Loch Oich, between Loch Ness and Loch Lochy. All 26 bedrooms are individually furnished and have private bathroom, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wi-Fi is available in all bedrooms, Library and Lounge.

The Invergarry Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

Dating from 1885 and based at the seat of the Ancient Clan MacDonnell, the Hotel is steeped in history and character. This Famous Coaching Inn is a beautiful Highland retreat nestled in the village of Invergarry by the banks of River Garry. All rooms are en-suite and have telephone, TV, Wi-Fi, coffee & tea facilities.

Rokeby Manor | 4 Star | Guest House

A romantic Victorian country house nestled in a woodland forest. Rokeby Manor is an early Victorian House (1840) situated on the edge of the Highland Village of Invergarry. This late Georgian-early Victorian Manor oozes rustic elegance and has retained its character of a country home that was built with local materials and handmade techniques.

Day 3 Invergarry to Drumnadrochit 30 miles / 48.5 km

Today presents a greater challenge with hillier terrain from the beginning. Ascend steeply out of Invergarry, your reward at the top is an excellent section of single track through the forest leading down to Aberchalder. Rejoin the easy-going canal towpath until Fort Augustus, giving your legs a wee break. There is a short stretch of cycling on the busy A82 road before diverting again onto hilly forest trails. Glimpse Loch Ness through the trees and make the most of a thrilling descent into Invermoriston village. From here an undulating forest path stretches out before you for the next 24 km. However, the view over Loch Ness from the top and the inevitable descent into Drumnadrochit are worth it! Your hard day's cycle finishes in Drumnadrochit, home to "Nessie" displays as well as a host of pubs and restaurants where you can refuel and refresh.

Ascent/descent: 681 m / 732 m

Overnight Drumnadrochit

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Greenlea | Bed and breakfast

Greenlea is a charming cottage situated on the Village Green in Drumnadrochit. Built in 1810, it was the first house on the green and as a listed building it maintains many traditional features. All rooms are equipped with TV, tea & coffee facilities, hairdryer and Wi-Fi access.

Kilmore Farmhouse | Bed and breakfast

Situated just a little outside the village centre of Drumnadrochit the shores of Loch Ness, this peaceful haven gives you all the relaxation you need after day out on the Great Glen. All rooms are well appointed and the house is surrounded by well-kept gardens, with a relaxing lounge and bright and airy breakfast room. All rooms include complimentary upgraded Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.

Aslaich | Guest House

Aslaich Bed & Breakfast is situated in the peaceful and picturesque village of Lewiston, adjoining the village of Drumnadrochit. This family run bed and breakfast offers peace, relaxation and beautiful views of the surrounding hills and countryside within Glenurquhart (the Great Glen). The Shores of Loch Ness (Urquhart Bay) is a short woodland walk away, and the house is situated 400 metres from the Great Glen Way. The house has a drying room for those wet walking days and has Wi-Fi available.

Day 4 Drumnadrochit to Inverness 19 miles / 31 km

Today provides a different take on the Great Glen as you climb sharply out of Drumnadrochit and away from the lochs that you have so faithfully followed. Follow mostly minor country roads through beautiful scenery as you ride deeper into the hills and fields that surround the Great Glen. Pass charming Loch Laide and the Caiplich Prehistoric Settlement - worth checking out even if only for the view! Then return once more to the hills and enjoy a long descent into the Highland capital of Inverness.

Ascent/descent: 453 m / 479 m

Overnight Inverness

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Cavell Guest House | Bed and breakfast

Built in 1842, your accommodation is a well-appointed Victorian villa with stunning views over the River Ness and Cavell Gardens. All rooms have TV, hospitality tray, hairdryers and free wireless Internet. They also have available on request bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, iron and ironing board and DVD player.

Adrian's Guest House | Guest House

This guesthouse features accommodations with a front garden, free car parking, motorcycle and bicycles parking garage, super speed Wifi guaranteed, and a true locally sourced Highland breakfast, along with a la carte Chef menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options too.

All rooms come with en-suite bathrooms.

The Glen Mhor Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

The Glen Mhor Hotel is situated in a tranquil location on the south bank of the River Ness, a 3-minute walk from Inverness city centre. Accommodation is divided between 4 charming Victorian townhouses - many rooms have wonderful views across the river to the cathedral and Eden Court Theatre. Nico's Bistro and Bar offers an informal atmosphere and dining inspired by French cuisine. A range of drinks are served in the bar, including an extensive whiskey collection, and there are cosy log-burning fires. Laundry facilities are available (cost dependent upon load) but drying facilities are available at no extra cost.

Day 5 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 6kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 6kg is equivalent to 4.5 ham and cheese sandwiches from the store. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Experiencing the Great Glen from the saddle of a bike is something that any mountain biker will enjoy. The long stretches of tow-path make for relaxed riding while the single track and fire road provide more of a challenge. With such stunning views and scenery, the challenge on the varied terrain is always a worthwhile one, and it's perfect for regular cyclists seeking an active holiday.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

Accessible by Rail

Grade & Terrain

This tour is graded moderate to strenuous due to the tough climbs involved and steep descents. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. You'll ride on canal path, singletrack, forestry road and minor roads.

Experience & Fitness

This tour is for regular fit cyclists seeking an active holiday and who don't mind spending much of the day in the saddle. The cycleway does have some steep climbs and descents so you should have experience of this type of off road riding. The length of the daily rides varies between 31-49 km and the difference in daily elevation gain/loss lies between 284m/231m and 681m/732m.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

4 Nights in 3*/4* B&B's, guesthouses and small hotels
Baggage transfers
Information pack, and route notes
Access to detailed maps, and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Fort William / from Inverness
Bike hire (mountain bike as standard). E-bike also available.
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire (mountain bike as standard). E-bike also available.

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

Fort William is easily accessed from Glasgow. There are several daily trains that run which you can check on the Scotrail website. Alternatively there are several buses that you can book on the Citylink website. Should you wish to drive, there are a couple of B&B’s that will allow you to leave your car with them while you cycle to Inverness.

From Glasgow there are frequent departures from either Queen Street Rail Station or Buchanan Bus Station. You can find further details for this section of the journey by going to City Link for buses or Scotrail for trains.

Getting from the End

Again Inverness is well serviced by Scotrail and Citylink and both can be booked via their websites. Inverness also hosts an international airport with flights to many places in the UK. If you are returning to Fort William to collect your car this is easily done by travelling on a Citylink bus which takes around 2 hours.

Baggage Transfer

Daily door to door baggage transfer is included in the cost of your holiday. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen.

Equipment

Bike Hire

We currently hire the following type of mountain bike on this trip.

Brand	Trek
Bike Type	Mountain
Frame types	Gents, ladies, unisex
Sizes	15, 17, 19, 21 in
Front suspension	yes
Stand	no
Mud guards	no
Luggage rack Rear/Front	no
Paniers/rack	no - available for an extra cost. Please book this in advance
Handle bar Bag/ map holder	no
Bottle holder/Water bottle	yes (available)
Computer meter	No
Interchangeable pedals	Yes - please tell us in advance otherwise the standard pedal set-up will be provided
Front gear set	2
Back gear set	10 speed
Brakes	Hydraulic Disc
Helmet included	Yes
Puncture repair kit	Yes
Spare inner tubes/ how many	Yes/1
Pump	Yes
Lock	Yes

E-Bike Hire

For some battery-powered assistance on longer days, and to ease ascents, we recomend hiring an e-bike. We can arrange hire of high quality mountain E-bikes. The rechargeable battery on your bike will be your reliable riding partner, getting you to the top of hills or to your final destination with more energy in the tank for exploring. E-bikes are growing rapidly in popularity so please make sure to request one at the time of booking so we can secure availability for your trip and avoid disappointment.

Minimum age for ebike hire is 16yrs

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.