Scotland great glen way

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone here has cycled the Great Glen Way in Scotland in one day?

Ive found information about the route online, but struggling to find anything about doing it over one day (Fort William to Inverness).

It looks doable, but hoping to find out from someone who has done it what their experience was.

Thank

I have ridden bits of it.  I think you would both need to be pretty fit and have a long day to do it in a day – I wouldn’t even dream of trying but I am a confirmed pootler.  some fair old climbs IIRC

People run it in less than a day.

The first bit from FT Bil til Ft Augustas is fairly flat canal type path. After that is gets more challenging so if your fairly fit it shouldn’t be a problem.

https://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2015/08/cycling-great-glen-way.html

There are a few track diversions in place; both forestry and hydro related. Check for final details before you set off.

FW to Fort Augustus is over before you know it, so chill, eat and gird your loins for the hills to follow. Don’t be tempted by the Low route option (unless the High route is closed) and don’t fail to stop at the Abriachan Eco Cafe, even though it’s near the end of the route.

I’ve done it in a day.

If I ever do it again I’ll pace myself better at the start  – the flat bit to Fort Augustus is fairly straightforward so no need to cane it like I did. The hills along Loch Ness are long and steep so lower gears are helpful.

Give yourself plenty of time to do it and it’s a cool day out.

PM me if you have specific questions.

The Great Glen Way from Fort Augustus to Inverness is the same route as the Badger Divide so you can search for tales of people who’ve ridden that. This section is usually ridden in a day or less and that’s with bike packing kit. I rode it in under 5 hours and I wasn’t beasting it. It has tough sections in it which won’t be ridable (a few steps and very steep loose gravel but then it is a walking path). Also it’s mostly in the trees so is quite dark with little views of Loch Ness. Mostly good riding though.
I’ve not ridden the section between Fort Augustus and Fort William but apparently is easy going, I’d be up a shot of it but the logistics would need a bit of planning.

@scotroutes

Nice write up. 

Have done it both ways and a day for each way. As mentioned if going from FW to Inverness then don’t time trial along the canal as you will pay for it later. 

Much preferred leaving Inverness and heading to FW and taking the high route. It’s not too hard and once your in the canal then you know it’s pretty flat from there to FW.

I do this route in one go annually, ahead of the runners in the Great Glen ultra marathon with an 0100 start time in early July. It usually takes me around 9 hours for the whole thing, including stopping to chat at the event check points along the way. I love the experience every time; got hosed on for the first couple of hours this year but still enjoyed it all. GPS says 72 miles and 7900′ of ascent for the classic, high route. 

As others say, cool your jets early on and be ready for the chunky climbing later. It’s almost all rideable, with just a handful of short pushes in each of the three later climbs. Best bike: probably a fast xc hardtail. Dropper post is more useful than a big fork. 

Best bike: probably a fast xc hardtail.

Agreed. Rode the nothern bit from inverness on my gravel bike this year and it was OK but I would have preferred a hardtail.