Great Glen Canoe Expedition

The Great Glen is one of the most sought-after canoe trips. During this 5 day trip, you will experience four incredible Lochs including the famous Loch Ness and white water rapids on the River Ness.

Level: Large Open Water Lochs, the canal and simple Grade 1-2 rapids

Contact us for a private group booking or register for our next available trip.
Groups of 6-8
£649

Duration: 4-5 days

Travel across scotland taking in the history and vast vistas of the Great Glen from Fort William to Inverness loch hopping on the Caledonian Canal finishing with the mighty Loch Ness and white waters of the River Ness.

What's Included

Craft
Buoyancy Aid
Basic Map
Dry Bag
Paddles
Helmet
Professional Coaches
Guiding
Water
Cooking Kit
Camping
Food and Meals
Activity Equipment

We also have some back support for those with back problems

What else we can provide on request

Trolley by arrangement
Waterproofs
Hire of Wetsuits
Tipi Tent
Hire of Drysuits

Dates & Requirements

We welcome all abilities, however, you need to have some experience of paddling a canoe. Feel free to contact us to discuss further as we can help bring your skills up to speed.

Contact us to book a tailored or private group booking for this trip which featured in the Great British Paddling Adventures Book.

Dates for 2026 to be confirmed. Email us to join the waiting list.

If you are not able to book this trip then it is at full capacity. Please do contact us if you would like to be added to the waiting list or have group of friends, family or workmates that you wish to book on and we can look at booking a bespoke trip for your group.

ates for 2026 to be confirmed. Email us to join the waiting list

Trip Description

One of the most iconic trips in the paddling world!

Our adventure begins at Banavie by Fort William with a paddle along the Caledonian Canal, with sections on Lochs featuring moving water on the River Ness, taking us into Inverness to our finish point. Join us on this journey through the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands which featued in the Times.

The aim of this trip is traditional canoeing journeying taking each day at a steady pace.

Evenings see us relax around the campfire with home cooking and the odd wee dram under the starry sky. This is a 5-day trip, allowing time to enjoy the beautiful views.

Included

Transportation during the trip
Breakfast and evening meals (you’ll have plenty of opportunities to stock up on snacks and lunches throughout the week)
Expert tuition from professional experienced guides
Hire of drysuits is available for the week on a first come first served basis
Canoes, BA’s, Cags, Trousers, Helmets, Drybags, Paddles, Maps, Tents and safety equipment

What you will need to bring

Sleeping Bag & Roll Mat
Cutlery, Cup, Bowl, Knife & Fork
Personal Kit
A Sense of Humour!
lunch for each day, you can restock at Fort Augustus on Day 3(wraps and snacks are a winner)

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Collect you from Inverness at 9 am and drive to Banavie. After sorting out your kit, we will take to the water and head to Clune on Loch Lochy.
Accommodation – Camping

Day 2

From Clunes, we shall head towards Leiterfern to camp for the evening.
Accommodation – Camping

Day 3

Once we arrive in Fort Augustus, we shall have time for a tea break and then continue on towards our campsite for the evening.
Accommodation – Camping

Day 4

From the campsite, we shall paddle to the end of Loch Ness and visit Dores for a well-earned drink and pub dinner.
Accommodation – Camping

Day 5

From Dores, we shall head to the River Ness and then paddle down to our finish point in Inverness.

Note: Itinerary subject to change at any time if deemed necessary by Canoe Trail

MEET OUR GUIDES

Meet the Canoe Trail Team

Ashley Kenlock

Ash has led expeditions in Canada in Ontario and Manitoba and has over 10 years of paddling experience.

She is a qualified Level 2 coach UKCC and is also a qualified SUP coach. She has also an experienced canoe leader and expedition leader.

Experience includes leading trips on iconic rivers and Lochs including Loch Ness, River Wye, Norfolk Broads, and numerous Scottish Rivers. She has led many overseas expeditions in Canada including Manitoba, Algonquin Park and Temagami wilderness areas.

Calum Steel

Calum is a White Water Kayak Leader, Canoe Leader, Expedition Leader with 16 Years of Experience in the Outdoors.

He has paddled white water all over the world, BASI Level 3 Ski & Snowboard. Scottish born and bred, he has led many canoe and kayak expeditions across Scotland. Calum is an advanced canoe leader, kayak leader and moderate water endorsed coach as well as British Canoeing tutor for safety courses.

Richard Harpham

Richard has completed over 12,00 miles of human-powered adventures all over the world including sea kayaking the channel, 1000 miles from Vancouver to Alaska, canoeing the Yukon River as well as many iconic trips and expeditions closer to home.

Richard has over 30 years experience of in paddling and is a UKCC Level 2 coach, advanced canoe leader, sea kayak leader, moderate water coach, British canoeing tutor for instructor and leadership courses and an endorsed guide / trainer.

Hire FAQ's

What's the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

If you're not sure of what each craft is, then read our guide here.

Are the trips guided?

There are no guides or instructors needed for hire. This is simply a hire where you paddle out and back to our launch point. We recommend our preferred route, however, you are free-range and able to explore the river.

What if it rains?

Unless you hear from us then your booking will run on the day agreed. Canoe Trail runs watersports, paddling, and adventurous activities throughout the year with people enjoying the river and our woodland campsite during the different seasons. On rare occasions (it only happens a couple of times a year) we may move or change your booking. This will be in freak weather conditions such as extremely high river flows in spate or during heavy storms with lightning. You can read our full FAQ here.

How does the booking process work?

We use a live booking system that will assign you the relevant craft and resources. Once you have confirmed your booking date, it is not then transferable and non-refundable in the same way you book an airline seat. Bookings are to be paid in full at the time of booking and are non-refundable. There will be no refunds for early returns, poor weather, or non-usage as per our general terms & conditions.