Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge
Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge
Scotland Coast to Coast Walk and Barge
7 Days Starting in Inverness or Banavie (Fort William) and ending in
Visiting: Scotland
Tour Overview
Scotland's Great Glen Way walking trail stretches 75 miles from Fort William to the capital of the highlands, Inverness. Based on board a comfortable barge at night, this hike and barge cruise offers the opportunity to walk from one coast of Scotland to the other. During the weeklong trip, the barge stops are planned to suit the walking stages, breaking them into manageable day walks of between 10 and 15 miles. Guided along the route by an experienced escort, who will point out places of interest along the way, there is no shortage of highlights. From impressive views of the mystical Loch Ness to glimpses of Scotland's highest peak, Ben Nevis, this relaxed pace walk will immerse you in the Scottish Highlands. In the evening, share stories of your day with like minded travellers and relish in the accomplishment of walking the breadth of Scotland.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Embark Inverness, Walk To Dochgarroch (3Hrs)
We will board the barge at 14:00 (2pm) today and after meeting the crew and other guests, we walk to Clachnaharry Sea Lock, the easternmost point of the Caledonian Canal, to start our coast to coast journey. The canal which was constructed in the early 19th century connects the east coast of Scotland, from Inverness to Fort William. This afternoon we will follow the barge to Dochgarroch, a picturesque settlement located on Loch Dochfour, where we'll stay for the night. The walk follows the towpath with the Caledonian Canal on your right and the River Ness on your left.
Distance: 7 miles/11km; Height gain: 15m/49ft
Day 2 : Join The Great Glen Way To Drumnadrochit (7Hrs)
The day’s walk begins with a climb through the forest to join the Great Glen Way above Loch Dochfour. We stop for lunch at the weird and wonderful Abriachan Eco-Café, a popular stop-off point for both hikers and cyclists along the trail. The afternoon walk is mostly downhill, providing our first glimpses of Loch Ness. The barge will pick us up at Drumnadrochit, a village located on the western side of Loch Ness, and we'll cruise to Foyers, on the eastern side, for the night's mooring.
Distance: 14.5 miles/23.2km; Height gain: 350m/1148ft
Day 3 : Continue Through Pine Woods To Alltsigh (6Hrs)
We start the morning with a breakfast cruise back to Drumnadrochit where we will continue our walk. From the mooring we head through the village, before ascending the trail, with views back over the town and the loch. Our lunch stop today is at the charming Grotaig Pottery gallery, which has a small walkers cafe with tables in the garden or inside the gallery. In the afternoon we'll descend through some beautiful pine woodland back to the loch side, where the barge will pick us up at Alltsigh. We will then cruise to Fort Augustus where we will spend the night.
Distance: 13 miles/21km; Height gain: 400m/1312ft
Day 4 : Walk To Fort Augustus Via A Low Or High Route (6 Or 7Hrs)
This morning we will once again cruise during breakfast back to Alltsigh, where the barge will drop us ashore. The initial section of today's walk will take us to Invermoriston, a highland village located on the northern shores of Loch Ness where we will have lunch. In the afternoon we have the choice of two walking routes both with converge at Fort Augustus. The High Route which takes us above the trees offers breath-taking views over the Monadhliath Mountains (Grey Mountains). The Low Route which stays below the tree line provides walkers with viewpoints across Loch Ness. The barge will meet us at Fort Augustus where we will overnight.
Distance: 13 miles/21km; Height gain: 200m/656ft (High Route: +1 mile/1.6km, +300m/984ft)
Day 5 : Views Of Loch Ness Enroute To Laggan Locks (5.5Hrs)
The walk out of Fort Augustus this morning takes us up a small hill (120m) which commands awesome views over the full length of Loch Ness. These will be our last glimpses of the loch, as the route then takes us back down to the canal towpath to meet the barge at Cullochy Lock for lunch. Our afternoon walk is almost entirely flat following an old railway bed and General Wade’s Military Road along the shores of the picturesque and secluded Loch Oich. The barge will be awaiting our return at the far end of Loch Oich at Laggan Locks. The fascinating water lock gates here connect the highest waters of the Caledonian Canal, at Loch Oich with the lower water levels of Loch Lochy.
Distance: 11.5 miles/18.5km; Height gain: 140m/460ft
Day 6 : Follow The Shore Of Loch Lochy With Views Of Ben Nevis On A Clear Day (7Hrs)
Following close to the shore of Loch Lochy, our morning walk provides some dramatic views of the Munros (a mountain in Scotland with a height over 3,000 feet or 914.4 mt) to the North and, on a clear day, our first sight of Ben Nevis to the South. We stop for lunch on the shore of the loch, before heading inland past Chia-Aig Falls and Loch Arkaig. We continue into the Achnacarry Estate, home of the Clan Chief of the Camerons of Locheil. We return to the loch side, passing wonderful native woodland along the shores, before returning to the barge which will be moored at Gairlochy, a small hamlet located on the southern shore of the loch.
Distance: 14.7 miles/23.5km; Height gain: 140m/460ft
Day 7 : Finish The Walk At Corpach Sea Lock (3.5Hrs), Return To The Barge, Trip Concludes
Our final morning walk follows the canal towpath, passing the only hand wound bridge left in the Great Glen at the small village of Moy. The path offers fantastic views of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain at 1,345 m (4,413 ft). We conclude our walk at Corpach Sea Lock, the most westerly point on the canal and the end of our coast to coast journey. A taxi will return us to the barge for our final goodbyes and departures.
Distance: 8 miles/13km; Height gain: -20m/65.5ft
What's Included
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Accommodation
6 nights barge -
6 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches, 6 dinners Breakfast includes porridge, cereal, yoghurt and fresh fruit, followed by toast and a hot cooked option. At lunchtime we have home-made bread, soup and fresh salads. Packed lunches are individually prepared. Dinn
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Daily tea and coffee
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6 nights accommodation aboard a category C+ barge with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The compact cabins are configured with split level beds. Single cabins are limited and on a request basis (supplement applies).
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Boat crew consisting of skipper, chef, walking guide (who accompanies the group on the daily walks) and bosun.
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Emergency hotline
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Travel to and from the start and end point of the trip
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Drinks - payable locally
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Travel insurance - mandatory *cruise cover may be required - check with your insurer
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Entrance fees and excursions not specified
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Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend GBP20-25 per person (to be distributed between the leader, captain and crew).
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, good walking boots / shoes, water bottle, lunch supplies, mobile phone and sun protection etc.
Grading
Introductory to moderate, walking approx 8 miles/ 13 km to 14.7miles/ 23.5km. 3-7 hours The route has many flat sections close to the canal and lochs but also includes some short steep hills and longer hills. There is an option to stay on board should you not want to walk some sections.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.