Gravel Cycling
Great Glen Gravel Route
Coast to coast on the ancient fault line that splits the Highlands
Quick facts
- Distance
- 115 km (71 mi)
- Ascent
- 1,800 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Linear · Multi-day
- Archetype
- Highland Epic
- Region
- Great Glen
- Start point
- Fort William
- Grid ref
- NN 105 742
- Parking
- PH33 6RY
- Midges
- High
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Forest track45%
- Tarmac single-track30%
- Estate road15%
- Double-track10%
About this route
The Great Glen Gravel Route traces the full length of the geological fault that bisects the Highlands — from the sea at Fort William to the Moray Firth at Inverness — using forestry tracks, canal towpaths, and quiet B-roads instead of the busy A82. The Caledonian Canal runs the entire corridor, and the route zigzags between its towpath and the forested slopes of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, and Loch Ness, giving a completely different perspective to the bus-tour viewpoints.
The riding itself is predominantly moderate — long valley tracks with modest climbing — but the scale impresses. Loch Ness is 37km long and the forest track along its south shore is one of the great Scottish gravel rides: pine-scented, undulating, with glimpses of the loch through the trees and Castle Urquhart standing dramatic on its promontory across the water. The route is best ridden Fort William to Inverness (net downhill and northeast), finishing in a city with easy train return.
Highlights
- Neptune's Staircase at Banavie — eight consecutive locks lifting the canal 20m, an engineering marvel
- Loch Oich — the shortest and shallowest of the Great Glen lochs, vivid green in summer
- Invermoriston gorge — Thomas Telford's 1813 bridge over a deep wooded ravine
- Loch Ness south shore forest track — 30km of undulating pine forest with water glimpses
- Dores Beach finish — pebble beach at the mouth of Loch Ness, 5km from Inverness
Day-by-day stages
Day 1
Fort William to Fort Augustus
Fort William → Fort Augustus
55 km
↑ 900m
Canal towpath past Neptune's Staircase, then forest track above Loch Lochy and Loch Oich to Fort Augustus at the south end of Loch Ness.
Overnight: Loch Inn, Fort Augustus; Morag's Lodge hostel
Day 2
Fort Augustus to Inverness via Loch Ness south shore
Fort Augustus → Inverness
60 km
↑ 900m
The best day: forest track above the south shore of Loch Ness all the way to Dores, with views across to Urquhart Castle, then the final canal towpath push into Inverness.
Overnight: N/A — finish in Inverness
Key waypoints
- 1. Spean Bridge
- 2. Laggan Locks
- 3. Fort Augustus
- 4. Invermoriston
- 5. Drumnadrochit
- 6. Dores
- 7. Inverness
Cafés & pubs on route
- · Old Station Restaurant, Spean Bridge
- · Loch Inn, Fort Augustus
- · Fiddler's Bar, Drumnadrochit
- · Dores Inn
Named climbs
- Loch Lochy forest climb (310m)
- Corriegarth Hill (450m)
- Dochgarroch rise
Notable descents
- Glenfintaig descent to Spean Bridge
- Aberchalder forest drop
- Dores road descent to Loch Ness shore
Route notes
The official Great Glen Way walking route shares much of this corridor — be courteous to walkers on the canal towpath sections. The forest tracks between Laggan and Fort Augustus are well-signed FLS routes. Inverness train station is 3km from the Dores finish; or cycle the canal towpath into the city centre.
Seasonal conditions
Midges are serious June–August between Fort Augustus and Drumnadrochit — start early, move fast on the forest sections, and keep DEET in your jersey pocket. May and September are the sweet spots: drier, fewer midges, better autumn light on Loch Ness. The canal towpath is rideable year-round but can be muddy in winter.
Key hazards
- Canal locks — keep away from the edges, especially with bikes loaded
- Heavy tourist vehicle traffic on A82 if you need to detour
- Wild camping at Loch Ness shore popular in summer — expect crowds at Dores and Invermoriston
Water sources on route
- Caledonian Canal towpath taps at each set of locks
- River Oich at Fort Augustus
- River Moriston at Invermoriston
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis)
1344m · glen-coe-lochaber
View hill
Nearest bothy
Lairig Leacach
Walk-in: 6 km · glen-coe-lochaber
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:16
- Sunset
- 21:18
- Civil dawn
- 04:27
- Civil dusk
- 22:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 9 May 2026
Common questions
- Is the Great Glen Gravel Route suitable for beginners?
- It's the most accessible multi-day gravel route in the Highlands. The climbing is spread over two days and never brutal. A fit beginner on a gravel bike or e-bike can manage it — allow 7–8 hours each day.
- Can I return from Inverness by train?
- Yes — ScotRail runs Fort William–Inverness via the Highland Main Line and there are direct services. Book bikes in advance; the scenic Caledonian Sleeper from Inverness to London also takes bikes with a reservation.
- Are there sections on the busy A82?
- Very few if you follow the forest track variant closely. There are two unavoidable 1–2km sections of A82 near Invergarry and one near Drumnadrochit where no alternative exists — ride single file and use a rear light.
- Where is the best wild camp along the route?
- The grassy bank at Laggan Locks (with a water tap) or the forest clearing above the Loch Ness south shore track near Foyers. Both are sheltered, have water nearby, and have a fire-pit tradition among cycle tourers.