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Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal Walk

0044 1606 720199

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  • Holiday code
    W06LN
  • Holiday type
    Self-guided walking
  • Duration
    6 nights
  • Accommodation
    hotel-to-hotel
  • Activity level
  • Call usfor dates and prices
  • Departure months
    JFMAMJJASOND
  • What your holiday price includes
  • 6 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • Briefing at the start of your holiday
  • Comprehensive route directions
  • Standard transfers to your first hotel (if booking inclusive flights), pay locally for return transfer
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Walking transfers
  • Optional Upgrades
  • Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels
  • Suitable for
  • Couples
  • Excellent choice for
  • Flora & fauna, bird spotting opportunities, lake & river routes

United Kingdom: Scotland

Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal Walk

This trip is currently unavailable. Please call us on 0044 1606 720199 for further details.

  • World-famous Loch Ness: wild, beautiful and slightly mysterious
  • Dramatic gorges, brooding lochs, tumbling waterfalls, breathtaking views at every turn
  • Superb bird-spotting: ospreys, red kites, peregrines, buzzards, magnificent golden eagles
  • Red squirrels, red deer, pine martens and even dolphin sightings!
  • Rich Scottish Highlands clan culture and history

Few places stir the imagination like Loch Ness; a jewel in Scotland's crown and a window to its wild and wistful soul. This is a magical place of undisputed natural beauty, shrouded in mystery and legend, where history and heritage are greatly revered.

Our 6-night self-guided walk explores the remote, southern side of Loch Ness where shady forests, tumbling waterfalls and rolling, heather-clad moors provide a misty backdrop to some of the most spectacular hiking in the Scottish Glens. It's a timeless and kaleidoscopic landscape and the place to visit if you want peace, tranquillity and an 'escape from it all' experience.

The walking is relaxed, with a few serious climbs, taking in: the serene Caledonian Canal, a section of the Great Glen Way, pretty Beauly Firth and a wealth of lochs and rivers whose glassy waters mirror the seemingly endless sky. Plant and birdlife are prolific, and there's a high probability of spotting deer too.

The south side of Loch Ness was once the main military route from Fort Augustus to Inverness, and its undiscovered woodland, quiet paths and remote villages are steeped in history. Everywhere you'll be staying has its own unique appeal: a Victorian former mansion; a Highlands country inn and a luxury riverside hotel in the heart of Inverness.

Varied walking following a mixture of woodland paths, country lanes and forest tracks. Some steep, but relatively short, ascents and descents, but a good head for heights is not necessary.



We're here to help

If you have any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat (we open again 9am tomorrow) or email sales@headwater.com



We're here to help

If you've any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 , or email sales@headwater.com

Day 1: Arrive in Inverness

Arrive in the wonderful waterside town of Inverness, the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands.
You stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace (breakfast included)

Day 2: The Great Glen Way 13km/8mi/3hr or 19km/12mi/4.5hr

After a transfer this morning, from Inverness to Invergarry, set off along a section of the Great Glen Way, overlooking Loch Oich, to the historic Bridge of Oich. Continue along the Caledonian Canal towpath to Fort Augustus, at the southern tip of Loch Ness.
You stay at The Lovat (breakfast included)

Day 3: At Fort Augustus

Spend the day in Fort Augustus, walking in the surrounding woodland or taking a boat trip on the world-famous waters of Loch Ness to visit Urquhart Castle.
You stay at The Lovat (breakfast included)

Day 4: South Loch Ness Trail to Foyers 17km/10.5mi/5hr

Follow the South Loch Ness Trail with spectacular views of the wild and timeless Highlands. Pass through the village of Whitebridge and on, through shaded forest, to Rabbie Burns' famous Falls of Foyers.
You stay at the Craigdarroch Inn (breakfast included)

Day 5: Foyers to Dores 15km/9.5mi/3.5hr or 19km/12mi/5hr

Head up through the Boleskine woods to Inverfarigaig, with stunning views of the crags of Dun Deardail; from Fair-Haired Lad's Pass down over Loch Ness to the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Take a short bus ride back to Inverness.
You stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace (breakfast included)

Day 6: Caledonian Canal and The Beauly Firth 15km/9.5mi/4hr

Take in the Ness Islands, ancient Craig Phadrig, the sea locks at Beauly Firth and perhaps even spot some dolphins dancing in the waters! Loop back to Inverness to explore its shops, cafes and castle.
You stay at the Best Western Inverness Palace (breakfast included)

Day 7: Leave Inverness


Where you stay

During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.

To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat (we open again 9am tomorrow) or email sales@headwater.com


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

Swimming Pool IconHair dryer icon

Opposite Inverness Castle, Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa is located on the banks of the River Ness. Only a 5-minute walk from Inverness city centre, this hotel offers a swimming pool, leisure club, spa and free WiFi.

Each en-suite room has a flat-screen TV, radio and tea/coffee making facilities. All rooms also feature a private bathroom with a power shower and hairdryer. The accommodation is located in either Victorian properties or garden cottage. Some rooms overlook the castle and river.

Guests have free use of the Palace Leisure Club & Spa’s indoor pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Beauty treatments are available in Sleeping Beauty Spa, and there is a modern on-site gym.

The Brasserie offers informal lunch and evening meals, whilst restaurant Eight on the River offers evening dining and a hot and cold breakfast buffet. You can enjoy Afternoon Tea along with Matthew Algie Freshly Ground Coffee in the refurbished River View Lounge.


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

The Lovat, Fort Augustus

Hair dryer icon NEARBY:

The Lovat is an award-winning eco-conscious hotel, situated on the southern tip of Loch Ness. The beautiful Victorian building with authentic decor is located in the loch-side village of Fort Augustus and has a restaurant which, in 2007, was named a Top 10 Restaurant in Scotland by the Press and Journal. It was recently awarded three AA rosettes for culinary excellence.


Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Craigdarroch Hotel, Foyers

Hair dryer icon

Situated in the village of Foyers on Loch Ness' southern side, surrounded by heather covered hills, sparkling lochs and breath-taking views, with the famous 'Falls of Foyers' waterfall just minutes' walk away. This recently refurbished country hotel has a peaceful ambience, with the comfortable feel of a Highland lodge. The public rooms offer spectacular views over Loch Ness; a perfect place to sit, relax and do a spot of Nessie hunting. It's also possible to sample one of the many whiskies available.

Extending your stay

If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, Inverness

Swimming Pool IconHair dryer icon

Opposite Inverness Castle, Best Western Palace Hotel & Spa is located on the banks of the River Ness. Only a 5-minute walk from Inverness city centre, this hotel offers a swimming pool, leisure club, spa and free WiFi.

Each en-suite room has a flat-screen TV, radio and tea/coffee making facilities. All rooms also feature a private bathroom with a power shower and hairdryer. The accommodation is located in either Victorian properties or garden cottage. Some rooms overlook the castle and river.

Guests have free use of the Palace Leisure Club & Spa’s indoor pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. Beauty treatments are available in Sleeping Beauty Spa, and there is a modern on-site gym.

The Brasserie offers informal lunch and evening meals, whilst restaurant Eight on the River offers evening dining and a hot and cold breakfast buffet. You can enjoy Afternoon Tea along with Matthew Algie Freshly Ground Coffee in the refurbished River View Lounge.


Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Travel

Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Inverness train station at any time (5 mins), no transfer is included at the end of the trip.

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

Reviews

Here at Headwater we thrive on feedback and pride ourselves on our excellent customer service. Below is a small selection of reviews we've received from our satisfied customers.


John Mcgirr, 10/01/2024

Exemplary


06/11/2023

Good communication and rapid responses to questions by e-mail and later by ‘phone. We anticipate the holiday to meet all our expectations.


Denys Macdonald, 01/06/2023

Brilliant ***


15/04/2023

Enthusiastic sales person

Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.

This 6 night self-guided walking holiday includes:

Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of hotels

All breakfasts

Briefing at the start of your holiday

Comprehensive route directions provided prior to departure

Standard transfers to your first hotel (if booking inclusive flights), pay locally for return transfer

Luggage transfers between hotels

Walking transfers


How to book:

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 (we open again 9am tomorrow) or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.

Please call for prices

We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.

Holiday details

Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices

Children
Please contact us for child prices.

Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed by Headwater rep.

Departures

Meals
All breakfasts

Tailor-made travel

Tour only

Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Inverness train station at any time (5 mins), no transfer is included at the end of the trip.

How to book

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 (we open again 9am tomorrow) or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.

If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.

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