The Three Ways

The Caledonian Canal

The Caledonian Canal took 21 years to construct and opened in 1822. Twenty-two miles (34 km) of artificial cuttings connect with the four lochs along the Glen to provide an inland waterway between the east and west coasts. At its highest point the canal reaches 106 feet (35 m) above sea level and the change in levels is achieved by 28 locks. The engineer responsible for the canal was Thomas Telford.

The Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails

Unlike The Caledonian Canal and the GGW Long Distance Route, the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails do not provide a continuous route through the Glen. Instead, they are a collection of cycling facilities, at a variety of Great Glen locations, with opportunities for everyone - from beginners and families to world-class competition level.

The precursor to these trails was the Great Glen Cycle Route which provided a long distance touring route through the Glen. However, this route had become a low grade experience for touring bikes and was withdrawn in 2006. Although it is possible for mountain bike riders to pedal between the various trails, they are not promoted as a continuous route and are not suitable for road bikes. The Highland Cycle Forum is currently looking at high quality options for touring bikes through the Glen.

It is possible to cycle all of the Great Glen Way by mountain bike and the Caledonian Canal towpath and forest roads along Loch Lochy and Loch Oich offer some scenic, but less demanding opportunities. There are many opportunities for informal cycling along the Glen.

The Great Glen Way Long Distance Route

This long distance route covers 73 miles (117 km) from Fort William to Inverness. It takes 5 to 6 days to walk the whole route in one go, but it can also be done in sections over a longer period of time. Equally, parts of the route make lovely short walks, amongst stunning scenery, and will take you to some less frequented parts of the Glen.