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Great Glen Way

Great Glen Way — the trail guide

The Great Glen Way is a 120.6 km trek in Scotland, typically walked in 4-6 days, with 2352 m of total ascent. It rates Easy on our published rubric (20 m of gain per km, topping out at 382 m).

The Great Glen Way traces the dramatic geological fault line that slices Scotland in two. Following canals, lochs, and forest trails from Fort William to Inverness, the route passes Loch Ness - keep an eye out for the monster. Excellent infrastructure makes this one of Scotland's most accessible long-distance trails.

Quick facts

Distance120.6 km
Total ascent2352 m
Typical duration4-6 days
Difficulty (computed)Easy
Steepness20 m gain per km
High point382 m
CountryScotland
RegionScotland

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Easy" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Elevation profile

Low point 2 m · high point 382 m · 2352 m total ascent over 120.6 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 3 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan6°2°223 mm
Feb7°2°218 mm
Mar9°3°167 mm
Apr11°4°91 mm
May15°7°120 mm
Jun17°10°130 mm
Jul18°12°153 mm
Aug17°12°176 mm
Sep16°10°160 mm
Oct12°7°208 mm
Nov9°4°176 mm
Dec7°3°242 mm

Planning notes

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Great Glen Way?

The Great Glen Way is 120.6 km, and most hikers complete it in 4-6 days. Total elevation gain is 2352 m.

How difficult is the Great Glen Way?

It rates Easy on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 20 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 382 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

Can this climate table tell me when the Great Glen Way is open or safe?

No. The table contains historical ERA5 averages, not a forecast or a report of snow, flooding, fire, closures or route condition. Check the responsible land manager and a current local forecast before departure.

Where is the Great Glen Way?

In Scotland. The route starts near 56.821, -5.107 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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