5-Day / 4-Night Moderate

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to Invermoriston.

High Route A steep climb from Invermoriston leads you into the hills along remote woodland paths and across open moorland, offering some of the best views of Loch Ness on the entire Great Glen Way. Interpretation boards, wildlife sightings, and scenic viewpoints add interest before the trail meets the low route. A little farther on, you can pause for a break at a charming pottery café. From there, a long stretch of road walking and a final descent on a track bring you down into Drumnadrochit.

Low Route The low route stays lower and keeps to sheltered forestry over the first 9km. This offers easier navigation and a quieter atmosphere than the high route. Interpretation boards, wildlife sightings, and scenic viewpoints still offer points of interest and the trail eventually rises to meet the high route. A little farther on, you can pause for a break at a charming pottery café. From there, a long stretch of road walking and a final descent on a track bring you down into Drumnadrochit.

In the morning, you will be transferred to the remote upland area of Blackfold (or to the Abriachan Café for a shorter hike). From there, you’ll follow the Great Glen Way in reverse back to Drumnadrochit, where you are staying for a second night. After an initial stretch of open moorland, the route enters the community-managed Abriachan Forest, where you can choose between two options: a high-level route with superb views from the summit of Carn na Leitire, or a lower route offering easier forest walking. The paths rejoin before a long descent toward Drumnadrochit, with views of Loch Ness and occasional glimpses of the iconic Urquhart Castle.

After another transfer to Blackfold, you now follow the trail northeast again. This final stage to Inverness descends gently from the uplands through woodland and forestry, offering wide views over the city and the Beauly Firth. Nearing Inverness, the route briefly joins the Caledonian Canal before continuing along pleasant riverside paths beside the River Ness, crossing the scenic Ness Islands and passing graceful footbridges over the river. The hike concludes at the official endpoint beside Inverness Castle, close to the city centre.