GGW 6: High Route - Drumnadrochit to Inverness

Summary

The high level option for the final section of the Great Glen Way is generally easy walking through farmland, forestry and moorland to reach the highest point with good views over Loch Ness and the mountains to the north. It's a long stage and could be broken if you arrange a pick up at Abriachan Forest or camp. The route can also be done from Inverness as a day walk by taking the bus to Drumnadrochit.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Well made paths, forestry tracks, minor road and one section of pavement alongside the A82. Short steep sections.

Getting there

Start

Drumnadrochit.

Public Transport

Drumnadrochit is fairly well served by buses. Inverness has all types of public transport.

Start Grid Ref

NH508299

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Services

As the Highland Capital, Inverness has all facilities. There are hotels, B&Bs, hostels and a campsite at Drumnadrochit, as well as shops and cafes.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 31.3km / 19.5 miles
Time: 7 - 9 hours
Ascent: 614m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

From Drumnadrochit the Great Glen Way heads along the A82 towards Inverness for the first short section. Follow the road past the post office and bus stop and then over the bridge and round the corner, passing the Drumnadrochit and Loch Ness Hotels on the left. There is a pavement on this section of the busy A82. Keep on the pavement as the road leaves Drumnadrochit and heads east alongside Loch Ness. There are good views over to Urquhart Castle. Opposite Temple Pier turn left up a signed track. The pier here was the scene of an attempt by John Cobb in the speedboat, Crusader, to set a new speed record in 1952. Although Cobb died tragically when the attempt ended in an accident, he did become the first person to travel over water at over 200 miles an hour. Immediately after the information board take the steps up to the left and go through the gate and follow the path around the back of the house. After a section alongside the road, head through another gate and then uphill and then 2 more gates before entering woodland.

Stage 2

When the path comes down to a track go straight across and carry on through the woods bearing left off the track through another pedestrian gate uphill onto a narrower path, then through another gate and alongside a field with good views of the loch. At a double set of gates continue straight ahead and eventually enter another woodland. The pines here have been thinned to try and increase biodiversity. Follow the path uphill and over a bridge and climb steadily uphill. When a junction is reached turn right and soon you can detour to a lovely viewpoint for the loch below. Continue up the path, crossing a stream on stepping stones before emerging at the end of a forestry track.

Stage 3

Amongst the trees are the remains of a Canadian lumbjack's camp from the second world war. Thousands of Newfoundlanders, or Newfies as their adopted home called them, volunteered to come here to help provide timber for the war effort. Keep on the track as it continues to climb and crosses a felled area. Once back in the trees a short steep climb is rewarded by another viewpoint to the right and then the track continues climbing at a gentler rate. Eventually a gate is reached, go through this and continue on the track, keeping to left where the track forks, with the right fork heading for a farmhouse.

Stage 4

Cross the open moorland on the track and go through another gate with a climb afterwards. From here there are good open views to the mountains of the Cairngorms and the small hills on the south side of Loch Ness. Follow the track uphill until a map and information board are reached. Here turn right onto a track to follow the high level option (to cut 1.2km you can continue on the low route track for easier, more sheltered walking, but this misses the highest point, moorland and good views over Loch Ness). Follow the track ignoring a signed path to a reconstructed whisky still (a lovely spot but a steep 0.3km detour) and take the next path on the left uphill, a sharp turn marked with a blue GGW marker post. Keep left at the next junction following the sign for Càrn na Leitire.

Stage 5

At the next junction keep straight on when another path forks left. The path crosses heathery moorland with wide views before a very short detour path heads right to reach the summit cairn of Càrn na Leitire, at 434m the highest point on the Great Glen Way. From here return to the main path and continue across the moor following the blue markerposts, keeping straight on when a small path joins from the right. At a T junction turn right (ignore the older wooden sign indicating the GGW in both directions) and soon the path starts heading downhill passing a bench.

Stage 6

Bear right at a path junction and right again to pass a reconstructed thatched round house. This has been built on the site of an iron age settlement by the Abriachan Forest Trust. Turn left at the next junction to soon pass between an open air workshop and large forest classroom buildings before emerging into the car park. Head right through the car park past picnic tables and heather-thatched toilets before heading right at the entrance track. This is where the low and high level options of this stage rejoin. At the road, cross the road and go through the gate opposite onto a path signed for Inverness. This clear path crosses farmland and passes an outdoor cafe and basic campsite at Tomachoin, before heading between gorse bushes to emerge at a minor road where you turn left.

Stage 7

Follow the minor road for 4 km, passing a number of houses. Eventually the Great Glen Way turns off onto a specially made path to the left which is signed. Follow this over open moorland with good views. Go straight across when it reaches a track and soon go through a gate into the forest. This section is one of the last remaining breeding strongholds for the endangered black grouse. At a junction don't go straight on but follow the main track as it to the left and then pass through another gate. Continue through more mixed forest on a narrower path with glimpses of the Beauly Firth down to the left. Eventually the path emerges onto a track at a metal gate. Keep straight on here and then very soon take the signed turning to the right, passing a large pylon and then giving views over a small reservoir. Go through the kissing gate to the left to cross the bottom of the reservoir before the path bends to the right and emerges onto a track heading downhill. Turn left here to follow the track downhill with good views over the City of Inverness in places. Ignore the steps up the left which lead to the forest at Dùnain.

Stage 8

As the route descends towards houses turn sharp left on a surfaced path that curves round and passes alongside a parking area to reach the main road. Go almost straight across this, heading down the lane opposite towards Great Glen House, the headquarters of NatureScot. Pass between the building and the car park, going straight ahead onto a path that leads downhill between fields. Follow the path as it curves to the left, ignoring a path to the right, pass a large fir tree and then turn right to head down between houses, crossing over a road on the way. Once past the playpark and swings, the path bears left to reach an underpass, turn right after this to head alongside the golf course and then up onto the Caledonian Canal bank. Turn right along the canal until the swing bridge where you turn left.

Stage 9

Cross the main road and then turn right to take the tow path up the opposite side of the canal. Fork left down to pass under an underpass, then turn left through another. Emerging by a car park, turn left and then right to pass along the far edge. Follow a tarred lane, soon switching to a path that runs along the left side of a stone wall. Soon this reaches the banks of the Ness, turn left here and cross the first pedestrian bridge to reach the pretty Ness Islands. Follow the footpath through the islands and onto the far bank of the river where you turn left to reach the centre of Inverness. The Great Glen Way officially ends at the castle.

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