Great Glen Canoe Trail
The Great Glen Canoe Trail was Scotland’s first formal Canoe Trail. Following the Caledonian Canal route from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east, this sixty-mile challenge has undergone development over the last few years due to the popularity of this fantastic canoe and sea kayak route.
The Great Glen Canoe Trail sixty-mile route includes twenty-two miles of paddling on sections of man-made canal, with the rest on lochs – Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, world famous Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour. For experienced canoeists, the whitewater sections of River Oich, River Ness and River Lochy can also be included to reduce the number of portage points and add extra excitement to this fantastic across Scotland canoe adventure.
No one knows the trail better than Donald. Through his work with British Waterways Scotland (now Scottish Canals) as Canoe Trail Project Officer, he set up this formal Canoe Trail, and as part of this works wrote the Great Glen Canoe Trail Guidebook published by Pesda Press. Donald is a highly experienced BCU Coach & Guide in open canoe, inland kayak, and sea kayak. So you know you are in safe hands and out on the water.
Why not join Donald on one of his unique all-inclusive Great Glen Canoe Trail multi day paddling adventures;
Private Guided Great Glen Adventure
If you are interested in a bespoke Great Glen Canoe Trail adventure, Explore Highland can offer you a tailor-made package.
Depending on your group’s paddling experience we could link in the River Oich and River Ness to reduce the number of portages and offer a more unique Great Glen Canoe Trail experience.
Accommodation options are available for bespoke Canoe Trails depending on your requirements, however for those wanting the full experience with the best option to counter the weather, group and allowing the route to be flexible wild camping is the best option. Other options could including a mix of using commercial campsites, local bunkhouses, B&B’s, and local hotels but this does limit options.
Our most popular Great Glen Canoe Trail options are listed below:
- Loch Oich to Dochgarroch (2 days) – for those with limited time and want to cover some of the best of the Great Glen
- Banavie to Inverness (3 days) – for those with tandem canoe experience and up for longer days)
- Banavie to Inverness incl. rivers (4 days) – for those with tandem canoe experience and looking for a stunning adventure
- Banavie to Inverness incl. rivers (5 days) – for those with less tandem canoe experience and looking for an easier full coast to coast crossing.
Donald has a vast amount of local knowledge and experience canoeing the route, probably more than any contacts within the Great Glen to make this trip work for you.
Book Your Private Great Glen Adventure
You can book your private Great Glen Canoe Trail adventure by emailing Explore Highland!
Self Guided Great Glen Adventures
Explore Highland offers a range of services specifically for the Great Glen Canoe Trail to help experienced paddlers take on this route. This includes competitively priced open canoe hire for small to medium sized groups, plus drop-off and uplift shuttle service.
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