Great Glen Canoe Trail

The Great Glen Canoe Trail follows the same corridor as the Great Glen Way walking route — through the geological fault that splits Scotland diagonally from Fort William to Inverness — but on water. Paddlers travel through the Caledonian Canal, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness, covering 80 km on a mix of canal and open loch water.

For trail runners this is context rather than a running route — it shares terrain and logistics with the Great Glen Way. For those interested in multi-sport challenges, combining a run of the Great Glen Way with a paddle of the Canoe Trail is a natural pairing. The infrastructure along both routes is shared.

The trail is maintained by Scottish Canals with designated campsites and portage facilities at the canal locks.

Fort William to Gairlochy (~10 km): Canal section. Neptune's Staircase at Banavie — the UK's longest lock flight (8 locks). Portage required at each lock.

Gairlochy to Fort Augustus (~30 km): Loch Lochy and Loch Oich — open loch paddling. Dramatic mountain scenery on both sides.

Fort Augustus to Inverness (~40 km): Loch Ness (34 km — the longest open water section) and the final canal into Inverness. The loch can be rough in wind.

Start: Fort William sea lock. Rail to Fort William from Glasgow and Mallaig.

Finish: Inverness canal basin. Rail to Inverness from Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Canoe hire is available at Fort William and Inverness. Campsite bookings via Scottish Canals.

Best time: May to September. Loch Ness can be rough in strong westerly winds.