The Great Glen Way on an MTB?

In 2013 I walked the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness with a couple of mates and their dogs. It was a leisurely pace and we took 6-7 days to complete the walk. I remember thinking that almost all of it was ridable and it would make a good 2/3 day bike packing trip on an MTB, maybe 5/6 days if a return trip was included. There is an off road/towpath cycle path marked as far as far as Fort Augustus which then joins a long road section to the east of Loch Ness. On the walk we went thru the forest on the western side of Loch Ness, my question is, is this section ridable or do you need to use the cycle route on the road?

Also any suggestions of safe parking areas for a few days around Fort William?

All very ridable. From Fort Augustus to Inverness you have a “high” route and “low” route option along the north shore of Loch Ness. The high route is the route of the Badger Divide and is quite a lot of climbing and descending, to repeat again.

All very rideable. Most folk take an MTB, though more capable gravel bikes/riders also manage it. You can do it in a day without a huge push. If breaking it down into smaller chunks, be aware that you’ll get to Fort Augustus in 3-4 hours, whereas the section north from there is a bit slower. Remember to call in at the Abriachan Eco-cafe. It’s a rite of passage.

There have been a couple of trail closures and diversions recently. I think the one at Loch Oich might still be in operation. I heavily advise taking the High Level option wherever it’s available. The views more than make up for any additional effort.

You can obtain one-way transport and/or baggage transfer from http://www.johnogroatsbiketransport.co.uk (based out of Inverness) if that helps your logistics.

When I was there in early June, the section by Loch Oich had a diversion in place.

There was also a long term diversion along Loch Lochy.

It’s very nice to do and I had a great time

Thanks for the info all, much appreciated.

Can do on Mtb or gravel. I’ve done both and couldn’t really say one better than other given terrain varies.

IMO Mtb more suited to GGW and the Inv to FA section. Some rougher techier bits and then amount of climbing means less gain from gravel.

If doing a loop and east side of Loch Ness, gravel bike probably better that side but not sure outweighs gravel less suited on GGW.

you’d be fine on either some compromise in whatever you take.

There are several options along the glen, effectively two ways past Loch Oich and three options for Loch Ness.

These sometimes have diversions for forest operations; the high route closure between Fort Augustus and Invermoriston for example has only just been lifted again, so the top route is now open again.  I’m with Scotroutes on this; I always take the top route for those sections as the extensive, relatively mellow singletrack and stunning views are worth it. The entire route from the sea lock at Bannavie to the centre of Inverness is about 74 miles and around 7800′ ascent, so that’s around 10 hours of steady riding, not dawdling, not racing..

At Loch Oich, the currently closed railway line route on the east shore is flat and boring anyway.   The only good bit of that side is the great wee free campsite on the loch shore halfway along.

The NW side is much more interesting and includes a fair bit of singletrack.

Abriachan cake stop is fascinating.  Just don’t leave your backpack unattended, as if Squeak is still around, she will steal your bag and run off with it into the woods…. @Scotroutes is she still alive?  (Squeak is a large, old, grumpy pig; her buddy, Bubble, was rustled a few years ago.)

The south east side of Loch Ness alternative route is sometimes called the Caledonian Way, as it is part of the longer route from Campbeltown to Inverness.  That side too has trail options, such as the Loch Tarff climb to the Suidhe and on to Knockie; also the extra climb up the Farigaig ‘Corkscrew’ after Foyers, to get to the Fair Haired Lad’s pass.  That’s a short but interesting, Alpinesque singletrack descent high above the lochside.   A loch Ness 360 is therefore another fun two day ride option.

The high route is the route of the Badger Divide and is quite a lot of climbing and descending, to repeat again.

Doable on a gravel, better on an MTB IMO – and about 4,000ft of elevation between Fort A and Inverness.