Great Glen Highlights

Highlights:

• Explore Loch Ness by boat and visit famous Urquhart Castle
• Magnificent views from less trodden tracks of the Great Glen and to other Highland mountain ranges
• White water rafting on a dam released river
• Climb Ben Nevis or experience the dramatic north face

The Great Glen is a natural geographical fault line which stretches from Inverness in the east to Fort William in the west. From sea to sea there are three Lochs - Lochy, Oich and famous Loch Ness.

Staying in the heart of the Great Glen in the picturesque area of South Laggan we explore this area steeped in history and we climb prominent peaks with fantastic views as well as some excitement from white water rafting and abseiling.

Day One: Sunday

Arrival in South Laggan.

Day Two: Monday

We drive to Drumnadrochit on the shores of Loch Ness for our first walk up Meall Fuar-mhonaidh a lovely peak with has great views down Loch Ness towards Ben Nevis, south towards the Cairngorms and north to Glen Affric and beyond. We descend down and visit Urquhart Castle followed by a boat trip back to Fort Augustus. There is time to try a spot of abseiling before relaxing in the hostel.

Day 3: Tuesday

We drive east to the other side of the Monadliath mountains. Starting in the heart of this range we walk over the famous Corrieyairaick pass, built by General George Wade as part of his network of roads built after the Jacobite rebellions. The views from the top of the pass are again outstanding and we walk down into Fort Augustus with fantastic views of the previous days’ walk as well as of Loch Ness. We have time to relax in the village, watch the boats going through the Locks, or go on an informative cruise on Loch Ness.

Day 4: Wednesday

Ben Tee (901m) is a prominent hill in the Great Glen rising above Glen Garry an area steeped in Jacobite history and the clearances. We walk through the forest of Glen Garry then through the open heather moor land to the summit of Ben Tee. It is only a few metres shy of a munro (mountains over 3000ft in Scotland) but the views of the surrounding area including Knoydart, the peninsula inaccessible by road, certainly make up for its height. Arriving back in Glen Garry we go White Water rafting on the River Garry, a dam released river so white water is guaranteed.

Day 5: Thursday

This day there are is choice of two guaranteed walks (both will depart – weather permitting)

Walk One – Walk to the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. From Glen Nevis we ascend up the mountain path to the halfway lochan, then up the zig zags to the plateau and the summit of Ben Nevis.

Walk Two – Walking from the North face car park we walk up to the hut where climbers stay while tackling some of the hardest climbs on Ben Nevis. We then walk under the magnificent crags which are unseen from the main Ben Nevis track, to the halfway lochan. We descend down into Glen Nevis for a well earned drink in the Ben Nevis Inn.

Day 6: Friday

Depart.

Cost £295 includes Bed, Breakfast (6 nights) and packed lunch 5 days