Great Glen Canoe Trail Expedition
Canoe 100km across the Scottish Highlands
Location: Scottish Highlands
Date: April - September
Length: 5 day
Cost: £690 per person (minimum booking 4 people on private event)
Fitness Rating:
(Challenging)
Join Live Well Adventures for an unforgettable 5-day wilderness canoeing expedition along the Great Glen Canoe Trail, where each day is packed with excitement, adventure, and the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands. With our experienced guides leading the way, each day will bring new challenges, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable wilderness camping experiences! Immerse yourself in the heart of Scotland's natural beauty and make lifelong memories on this truly epic expedition!
The Plan
Introduction
At Live Well Adventures we are committed to delivering exciting and enjoyable adventures with flexible itineraries. The information below is the basic framework around which our 5 Day Great Glen Canoe Trail expedition is constructed. Further information will be automatically sent to you once you have made a booking to join our expedition.
Day 1: Fort William to Gairlochy - Welcome to the Highlands
Distance: 11km
Our expert guides will greet you and provide an introduction to the journey ahead. After gearing up and a thorough safety briefing, we launch our canoes onto the stunning waters of Loch Linnhe, with the iconic Ben Nevis as our backdrop. Your day is filled with exciting wildlife encounters - seals, seabirds, and maybe even a curious dolphin. That evening we establish our first wild camp at Gairlochy and spend our first night under a sky filled with stars!
Day 2: Gairlochy to Laggan Locks - Locks & Lochs
Distance: 25km
Wake up to the serene beauty of the Highlands in your remote wild camp! After breakfast we get back onto the water and navigate our way across the imaginatively named......Loch Lochy, before paddling through the Caledonian Canal’s famous locks and onwards to Loch Oich. Here we will explore the remote shorelines and look for our second remote wild camp.
Day 3: Laggan Locks to Lock Ness – Search for a Monster! Distance: 26km
​After another night in the beautiful Scottish wilderness, we get back to it! You will journey alongside Fort Augustus before entering the world-famous Loch Ness! After spending some time paddling along the remote shoreline of this stunning Loch, you will find a remote spot to set up another wild camp. That evening you will spend your third night in the remote Scottish Highlands camping wild, overlooking the Loch and pretending your not really looking for the Loch Ness Monster!
Day 4: Fort Augustus to Invermoriston – Urqhart Castle and Loch Ness excitement
Distance: 24km
​Once again you wake up to the awesome Scottish wilderness! Today you will continue along the shoreline of Loch Ness, visiting breathtaking coves and remote forest shorelines. You will also paddle past the infamous Urqhart Castle as you make your way to the head of the Loch. That afternoon you will paddle into your fourth wild camp and spend your final night under the stars and reflect upon the amazing adventure you have been part of.
Day 5: Dochgarroh Loch to Inverness - Paddle to the Capital
Distance: 10km
You’ve almost done it! That morning after your final breakfast in the wilderness, we get back on the water and cross Loch Dochfour, before heading along the River Ness and into Inverness. You did it, you successfully journeyed the length of the stunning Great Glen Canoe Trail. You have journeyed through some of the most inspiring, remote landscapes on earth. Epic, what an achievement!
You will be transported back to Fort William safe in the knowledge that you have had the adventure of a lifetime, made memories for life, and achieved something truly epic!
Highlights
Remote Wilderness
The Scottish Highlands are home to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world. Picturesque peaks with rugged open moorland create stunning scenery in every direction you look. By paddling through such a landscape you will be treated to some of the best mountain views the world has to offer.
Breathtaking Lochs & Rivers
World famous for their beauty, the Scottish Highlands are littered with Lochs and rivers that will inspire any adventurer. Throughout your expedition you will visit parts of this breathtaking landscape that few have been lucky enough to journey through, including tranquil rivers, serene coves as well as the world-famous Loch Ness!
Wild Camping!
There is no better way to experience the remote Scottish Highlands than to create your own Wild Camp overlooking a beautiful river or Loch. By camping wild you can experience this breathtaking part of the world in its wild and natural form in a manner that is totally unspoilt. By camping wild you will experience what few others have!
Practicalities
Risk Management and Safety
Live Well Adventures has solid foundations when planning for potential risk. Our founder has over 18 years worth of experience in the British Army that is utilised and subsequently enables us to conduct high risk activities on a more routine basis. Experience and training for Live Well Adventures staff facilitates appropriate action to be taken under potentially dangerous and stressful conditions. Along with experience we implement detailed risk assessments recognised by industry that enable us to identify risks and plan to both mitigate them as well as minimise the impact should the need arise.
For more detail on our approach toward safety and how we manage risk please visit our Safety page.
Self Catering
The expedition is self-catered - please don't hesitate to contact us for advice regarding this. In addition, you may wish to visit our Fitness and Nutritional Plans page if you would like to receive bespoke detailed advice tailored to meet you specific needs for the expedition.
Hou Prospector Canoes, Paddling Equipment & Safety Equipment
Top quality ‘Hou Prospector Canoes’ are included as part of your expedition package – we pride ourselves in only providing top quality equipment! As well as all other essential paddling equipment including; paddles, watertight barrels to help keep your equipment dry and sails (tuition will be given on how best to use these items). In addition, you will be given a buoyancy aid, helmet and tow line to use throughout the expedition.
Tents, sleeping mats & Cooking Equipment
Tents, sleeping mats and cooking equipment (stoves and pans) are included as part of your expedition package. Sleeping arrangements are based on two people sharing one tent. If you would like to have sole occupancy of a tent for the duration of the expedition, please do get in contact with us. Sleeping bags are not provided.
Qualified Paddlesport Leaders and First Aid
Our Live Well Adventures staff are appropriately qualified to lead you throughout your expedition and provide you with the level of assurance you want and need. As trained and experienced Paddlesport Leaders they are capable of addressing and dealing with multiple situations that may arise - in addition all our Paddlesport Leaders are first aid qualified and will carry a First Aid kit throughout the expedition.
Kit List
Once you have booked your Great Glen Canoe Trail expedition with Live Well Adventures, we will send you a detailed kit list explaining exactly what kit we recommend you bring. However, please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss any kit requirements prior to making a booking.
Whats included
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Professional Live Well Adventures Paddlesport Leader
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Hou Prospector Canoe & all essential paddling equipment (including paddles, watertight barrels & sails)
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Transport from Inverness Finish Points) to Fort William (Start Point)
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Tent, sleeping mat & cooking equipment (stoves and pans)
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First Aid Equipment
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First Aid Qualified Expedition Leaders
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Wild camping fees to GGCT Trust
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Specialist equipment (maps & compass etc)
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Public Liability Insurance
Not included
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Travel to and from your Great Glen Canoe Trail expedition
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Travel insurance
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Personal kit and equipment
Booking or Further Information
If you would like more information about our Great Glen Canoe Trail expedition, would like to discuss options, or make a booking, please don’t hesitate to Contact us, we will be happy to help and look forward to hearing from you.