Information in this site is based on local knowledge of cycling enthusiasts who live and work in this magnificent area of mountains, forests and lochs. We have routes for mountain, hybrid and road bikes over terrain ranging from gentle shorelines and forested glens to rugged, remote wild country - something to suit all riders from children to extreme endurance fanatics!

The Great Glen

The routes described in this website invite the cyclist to explore the landscape around several centres in the Great Glen - these centres may be linked together, using cycle routes following the line of the great glen, to give almost unlimited possibilities for an exciting cycle trip of almost any duration from several hours to a few weeks.

Villages along the Great Glen sprang up around strategic junctions in the network of historic military roads and drover's routes that criss-cross the highlands. Some of these routes became our modern roads whilst others remain in the landscape.

The Great Glen is a spectacular geological feature running 70 miles north east from the small town of Fort William to the beautiful city of Inverness. Along the Glen is a chain of massive lochs, the most famous of which is of course Loch Ness, overlooked at its widest and deepest point by the impressive ruins of Urquhart castle where several sightings have been made of Nessie the Loch Ness Monster. See our Loch Ness page for more details.

Index Map Of Routes

Click the link below for an index map of the main routes, click on the pink line of a route to access the web page for that route. Please note that for clarity, not all routes are drawn on the diagram. Use the main menu to access all other routes. Place names in boxes can also be clicked for further information.
Click here for Index Map of Cycle Routes in the Great Glen

Fort William and Lochaber - Outdoor Capital of UK

At the south west end of the Great Glen stands the town of Fort William lying beneth Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain 1344m (4406 feet).
Fort William and Lochaber "Outdoor Capital of the UK" hosts many cycling events throughout the year including the UCI World Cup Downhill, Cross Country and 4-Cross Championships.

Caledonian Canal

The lochs in the Great Glen are joined by the Caledonian canal which allows small ships and pleasure-craft to cross Scotland from the Irish sea in the west to the North sea in the East, over 60 miles in total. No longer used for towing vessels, the tracks along the canal banks are wide, flat, well-maintained and offer many miles of interesting cycling away from the main road.

The canal was originally surveyed by James Watt in the late 1700's then plans were drawn up by Thomas Telford, work began in 1803 and took until the 1820's to complete, then in 1845 it was improved and made deeper. Less than half of its 60 mile length is through man-made canals. The design relies on 29 locks to accommodate the slight rise above sea-level, 8 of these are at Neptune's Staircase near Fort William with another flight at Fort Augustus.