Cycling the Great Glen

Boarding between 2 and 2.15 pm. We welcome our guests on to the barge in Inverness. Here we introduce our friendly crew before the barge commences the ascent of the staircase of locks, marking the start of our adventure. The afternoon cycle ride then visits the sea lock at the eastern entrance to the Caledonian Canal, before following the towpath along the canal reach to Dochgarroch lock.
Terrain: no height gain.

Our tender will drop you ashore at a small inlet on the shores of Loch Dochfour. The cycle route follows the forest path past the spectacular Aldourie Castle, through Tor Point woods to the village of Dores on the shores of Loch Ness. The shingle beach by The Dores Inn provides a spectacular location for refreshments whilst admiring the view down the length of Loch Ness. The route then follows a back road along the shore of Loch Ness to Inverfarigaig. From here the route heads uphill along good forest roads, with occasional views over Loch Ness, before reaching Upper Foyers with its shop and café with a short walk on offer to a spectacular gorge and waterfall. The route down to Lower Foyers is a welcome downhill to the shore of Loch Ness where we find our barge waiting at the pier.
Terrain: approx. 240m height gain

We start the day with a steep climb to Upper Foyers to re-join the South Loch Ness Trail. This takes us along a combination of back roads and purpose made cycle trails via the picturesque Loch Tarff. The fun descent to Fort Augustus offers some wonderful views of the village and Loch Ness below. For an easy-going morning alternative, you can stay aboard the barge and enjoy cruising along the spectacular wild quarter of Loch Ness. We are reunited for lunch on the barge in Fort Augustus. The village is centred on a staircase of 5 canal locks which raise the canal high above Loch Ness. This is the main habitation on our route and there are a variety of cafes, shops and visitor centres as well as an interesting museum describing the life of the 17th Century Highlander. In the afternoon we cycle along forest trails above Fort Augustus. Spectacular views down Loch Ness are a welcome reward for the climb, followed by some easy trails near the river Oich. We then return to the barge which stays in Fort Augustus overnight.

In the morning we cruise along the middle section of the canal and through the first half of the beautiful Loch Oich. We go ashore from the anchorage by tender and start our cycle, by the elegant Glengarry Castle Hotel, following the River Garry. At the village of Invergarry, we set off along the road to Skye for a few miles before heading off on the start of the longest no-through road in the UK. We leave that road to cross the narrows of Loch Garry on a bridge, then head onto a fairly remote forest trail climbing steadily uphill before an exciting descent takes us down to the River Garry and then back to the shores of Loch Oich.
Back on board the barge at the end of the day, we spend the night at our beautiful anchorage overlooked by Old Invergarry Castle.
Terrain: approx. 200m gain.

After breakfast, we weigh anchor and cruise along the remaining half of Loch Oich and on through Laggan Avenue, the tree lined section of canal that cuts across the watershed of the Great Glen.
We disembark at Laggan Locks to cycle the forest trail along Loch Lochy. Here we proceed into the mountainous landscape of historic Lochaber with views of the largest of Scotland’s mountains. The trail takes a moderate undulating route to Clunes, the start of the Dark Mile, an amazing road with trees and walls adorned with a rich carpet of mosses and lichens. We then pass the stunning Cia-aig Falls which featured in the film ‘Rob Roy’. After crossing the bridge at the foot of Loch Arkaig and stopping to enjoy the views stretching out to the west, we head through the Achnacarry Estate, home of Cameron of Lochiel. Here the Clan Cameron Museum makes an interesting stop, offering information about the history of the area and a chance to buy a well-deserved ice cream. The last leg of the day takes us along The Great Glen Way to meet the barge at Gairlochy, a quiet hamlet at the south west of Loch Lochy.
Terrain: approx. 150m gain

From Gairlochy, we cycle up past the impressive Commando Memorial to the village of Spean Bridge. We then head off onto forest tracks through the spectacular scenery of The Nevis Range, our local ski centre and home to the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup. Here you can take the optional ride up the gondola to 650m, for spectacular views and a high level café stop. Later we take the cycle track towards Fort William passing the local Distillery before returning to Banavie for our last night aboard the barge.
Terrain: approx. 300m height gain

For our final morning we cycle the towpath and explore the local features of the dramatic Caledonian Canal. We will see one of the aqueducts that carries the canal over the tributary rivers to the River Lochy and visit Corpach where the canal meets the sea. We then cycle back to reach journeys end at the top of the spectacular flight of eight canal locks, known as Neptune’s Staircase. A fitting end to an inspirational adventure. The tour ends at 11 AM.
Terrain: approx. 30m height gain