Great Glen Canoe Trail
In Summary
£600.00
2 - 6 People
5 Days
The best way to traverse the Scottish Highlands
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 - Fort William to Gairlochy
We will meet in Fort William and then go to the canal to set up our equipment. Then, we will launch and head for our campsite on the banks of Loch Lochy.
Day 2 - Gairlochy to Laggan Locks
From our camp on Loch Lochy, we'll traverse the entire length of the loch and arrive at Laggan Locks, where we'll spend the night beside the marvellous Eagle Barge floating pub.
Day 3 - Laggan Locks to Fort Augustus
It's our guide's favourite day. Starting on Laggan Avenue, we'll descend into Loch Oich and visit the Well of Seven Heads before following the final stretch of the canal to Loch Ness at Fort Augustus.
Day 4 - Fort Augustus to Urquhart Castle
Our first day on Loch Ness will take us along the southern shore to Urquhart Castle, where we'll spend the night. We'll still have many chances to stretch our legs during the days.
Day 5 - Urquhart Castle to Inverness
Day two on Loch Ness and our final day together will take us to the end of the loch and onto our final stretch of canal to take us to Dochgarroch and our finish location.
From Dochgarroch, we'll connect with the transport and return to Fort William. Alternatively, we can drop you off at a train station.
* This is our ideal itinerary; however, it may change as we progress. We will adapt to the weather and select campsites that suit our daily needs best.
Trip Details
This is a trip of stunning paddling and picture perfect campsites giving us the opportunity to travel along one of Scotland's most famous Glens.
Starting on the west coast just outside Fort William we traverse the country using the gentle, sheltered water of the Caledonian Canal, which links together the lochs of Lochy, Oich and the formidable Loch Ness.
What's Included?
✓ Highly experienced & qualified coach
✓ Transport from and to the meeting point
✓ PFDs/buoyancy aids, helmets
✓ Canoes & paddles
✓ Waterproof storage, 60ltr barrels per person
✓ Group shelter
✓ First Aid kit
✓ Photos from your adventure
✓ Camping stoves, tea, coffee, etc
✓ Fresh food from first lunch till lunch on the last day
✓ Cutlery, bowls & plates
✓ Shared 2-person tents✓ Transport from and to the meeting point
What's not Included?
✗ Trip Insurance
✗ Personal Expenses
✗ Accommodation
What skill level should I have to join a Wilderness Journey trip?
Our Wilderness Journeys are primarily holiday trips designed for you to get out and enjoy the wilderness. However, depending on your trip, you should consider the following:
How comfortable are you living in the outdoors?
You should be at ease with spending long periods outside in the elements.
Scotland is renowned for experiencing all four seasons in a single day. However, more often than not, it tends to be cold and damp, so you will need to find contentment in that and consider anything else a bonus.
What about camping?
We use two-person tents to help minimise our environmental footprint. We aim to share tents only within booking parties; however, this is not always possible. If this presents an issue, please get in touch with us, and we can discuss options.
Padding skill?
The Great Glen is a Beginner "Green" Trip, meaning we’ll be on the loch, which may include a short time being exposed to the elements.
You don't need to have done canoeing before, but we will spend up to 5 hours a day on the water, with plenty of opportunities for leg stretches during breaks on land.
We will be navigating in and out of boats to portage around locks on the canal, so we need to be reasonably fit, balanced, and comfortable moving across short sections of uneven terrain.
Depending on the trip, we may explore short beginner rivers, including brief sections of white water. However, your guide will discuss this with the group at the trip's outset to determine if it would suit everyone.
Remember, you'll want to cultivate mental space to enjoy the journey rather than merely survive. If you're uncertain about your skill level, please email us at hello@cagadventures.com so we can discuss your suitability for this Wilderness Journey.
Who do I paddle with?
Our Wilderness Journeys are designed as tandem trips. You can either paddle with the same person each day or swap partners daily.
What if I want to paddle solo?
Please let us know before your trip if you want to paddle solo. We may be able to accommodate you, but you might find that one of our Learning Journeys better suits you.
