Hiking the Great Glen Way on a Budget: The Ultimate Hostel Guide
- Jay
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
The Great Glen Way hiking/biking route between Fort William and Inverness is more than just an extension to its well-known sibling The West Highland Way, it's a picturesque, laidback way to take in some of Scotland's most well-known sites. From scenic views of Ben Nevis through to mythical encounters on Loch Ness, you'll find everything you could want from a Scottish adventure on this 79 mile trek through forest, hillside and along the Caledonian Canal.
While many brave souls bring along packed down camping gear with them, you might want to consider taking the hostel route along this picturesque trail. Scottish weather is famously unpredictable, and the hostels along the route all offer a fantastic balance of affordability, comfort, and an opportunity to spend your evenings meeting other hikers, bikers, and backpackers from all across the world.
In fact, choosing to skip many of these hostels might leave you with more than a little bit of FOMO. So explore our picks for hostel stays along the Great Glen Way in this article. Here we've divided the walk up into 5/6 roughly day-long walking sections, though some choose to try and cut it down to 3, especially if biking.
Contents
Fort William Backpackers: Your Great Glen Way Start Point Accommodation
Great Glen Hostel: Budget Accommodation with a Bar & Restaurant Near South Laggan
Morag’s Lodge: Hostel Accommodation in Bustling Fort Augustus
Lochside Hostel: Beachfront Backpacker Hostel on Loch Ness, Close to Invermoriston
Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge: Budget Hostel near Urquhart Castle and Drumnadrochit
Inverness Student Hotel: City Centre Hostel Near Inverness Castle
Heading to Edinburgh Next? Check Out Our Budget Holiday Hostel Accommodation
Fort William Backpackers: Your Great Glen Way Start Point Accommodation
Most backpackers start their trip along the Great Glen Way at the large town of Fort William, located just along the shores of the impressive Loch Linnhe. It's both the end point for the West Highland Way, and the start point for the Great Glen Way, making it a fantastic place for hikers and cyclists to recharge and rest up before the next adventure. With pubs serving traditional Scottish fare, local craft beer and celebratory drams of whisky, and plenty of outdoor shops to pick up any last minute hiking gear, Fort William is well worth a pit stop.
The traditional start point of the Great Glen Way is just outside the Old Fort of Fort William. One of the closest hostels is Fort William Backpackers, located in a Victorian villa overlooking the town. With a relaxed and roomy lounge, well-equipped kitchen, continental breakfast, and even a perfectly-located firepit overlooking the Loch, it makes the ideal base for overnight preparations ahead of your walk beginning.
In the morning, just wander down the hill to get your Great Glen adventure officially off the starting blocks! Beds at Fort William Backpackers start from just £27.50 this summer, available in mixed and female dormitories of various sizes. Book here through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility:
Pro Tip: Try to book your Fort William accommodation as far in advance as possible, as it is the base for many of Scotland's biggest hikes, including the West Highland Way and Ben Nevis, meaning beds can sometimes be in short supply!
Great Glen Hostel: Budget Accommodation with a Bar & Restaurant Near South Laggan
Your first day hiking or biking will take you out along Loch Linnhe and inland past the Shengain Viaduct, Moy Bridge Campsite, leading you up to Loch Lochy. It is possible to camp near Gairlochy, this walk having taken around 4-4.5 hours, although there are no facilities. There is limited bed & breakfast accommodation around Gairlochy.
Continuing on past Loch Lochy, you'll arrive at the first hostel accommodation in around another 4-4.5 hours. The Great Glen Hostel is located near South Laggan, just past the Laggan Locks. Don't miss the chance to stop for lunch at the Eagle Barge Inn, a pub located on a boat moored right in the middle of the Caledonian Canal!
It's clear to see why the Great Glen Hostel is such a popular spot for backpackers, hikers and bikers - located just off of the walking path, with its own delightful restaurant and bar, and accommodation in rooms ranging from single, twin, family, family en-suite up to a six bed mixed dorm room.
Beds here start from just £40 summer, book direct with the accommodation here:
Morag’s Lodge: Hostel Accommodation in Bustling Fort Augustus
On your next leg, you'll continue along the canal-side path past the Great Glen Water Park and over the Laggan Swing Bridge towards Invergarry through forestry paths. Passing Loch Oich on your right, you'll cross the Oich Bridge and continue to arrive at the famous tourist hub of Fort Augustus, located at the foot of Loch Ness. This will again take you around 4 - 4.5 hours.
As the day trip hub for many coaches arriving on the Loch from Edinburgh and elsehwere in the Highlands, many flock to attempt get glimpses of the monster, and enjoy Highland hospitality at the many pubs and restaurants located along the Locks of the Caledonian Canal. It's a scenic, bustling tourist centre that makes a perfect overnight stay.
Just outside of the village you'll find Morag's Lodge, located minutes from the shores of Loch Ness, tucked away amongst the trees and surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. The hostel has a variety of room types to suit all needs with prices starting from just £25, an on-site rustic 'bothy bar' with an open fire, a laundry service, shared lounges and more.
Book direct with the accommodation here:
Lochside Hostel: Beachfront Backpacker Hostel on Loch Ness, Close to Invermoriston
From Fort Augustus, you'll head back into forestry woodland that will take you along the otherwise steep slopes of Loch Ness in a gentle fashion. After around 1.5 hours you'll arrive at the picturesque village of Invermoriston, making a perfect lunch stop. You can take a picnic down to the Falls of Invermoriston, or, our preference, continue up to the Glen Rowan Cafe, with fantastic home made food served throughout the morning and afternoon, scrumptious cakes, and locally-roasted coffee.
Take the path out of town to arrive high on the hillside above Glenmoriston, with epic views out to the Loch on your left. Either taking the High or Low route, you'll arrive at the next overnight stop in another 1.5 - 2 hours, follow signs for Alltsigh / Lochside Hostel.
Lochside offers one of the most incredible opportunities along the route - the opportunity to wake up with an icy dip in Loch Ness itself. As the only hostel on Loch Ness with its own beach, you can't miss the chance to wake up (un)comfortably close to the monster! The hostel has a large common room with nightly activities ranging from pool tournaments to Scottish Folk Dancing.
If you're looking just to rest up, worry not, the rooms are located a fair distance from any evening activities, with their 6 bed en-suite dorms located in their own building just metres from the shorefront. There's a small shop and bar offering on-site, laundry service, open log fire, as well as a fire pit down on the beach itself.
You can stay in cosy dorms ranging from 4 - 8 beds, single, and twin rooms. Make sure to book your overnight stop in an unparalleled location at Lochside Hostel before heading further along the Great Glen Way. It's also one of the most affordable on the route, with beds starting from just £23 this summer.
Book here through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility:
Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge : Budget Hostel near Urquhart Castle and Drumnadrochit
Rejoin the Great Glen Way simply and easily from Lochside Hostel, with a track heading up to the High Route in around 30 minutes, or the Low Route starting just 50m from the hostel's front door. Either way, you'll have around a 3 - 4 hour hike with scenic views over Loch Ness before you arrive to the village of Drumnadrochit in Glen Urquhart. Home to the ruins of Urquhart Castle and the Loch Ness Centre, many choose to take a leisurely stop here.
Located in between both of the aforementioned sites, in walking distance of a supermarket and plenty of places to eat in town, you'll find Loch Ness Backpackers Lodge. They offer two types of rooms – private rooms and shared dormitories. They have 5 dorms, a double room, twin room and 2 family rooms, with beds from just £30. You can enjoy food, drink and well-equipped facilities on-site, or spend the evening in the nearby village centre too.
Book direct with the accommodation here:
Inverness Student Hotel: City Centre Hostel Near Inverness Castle
Heading out of Drumnadrochit you'll continue along forestry trails in the direction of Inverness. Along the way, be sure to stop by Drumbuie Farm where you can get up-close and personal with some Hairy Highland Coos! Passing Abriachan, you can choose to take a pit stop at the Abriachan Eco-Cafe, located right amongst the trees. You'll eventually find yourself pulling up alongside the River Ness, and heading into the city centre, where the trail finally wraps up right in the shadows of Inverness Castle.
The best news? There's a warm hostel bed waiting for you just around the corner at Inverness Student Hotel, just seconds from the finishing mark of your 78-mile trek. Celebrate at the nearby Castle Tavern, with a scenic beer garden, or head for a short walk down into Inverness for live music at the Highlander Bar, or organic craft beer and pizza at the Black Isle Bar.
Beds at Inverness Student Hotel start from just £27.50 this summer, available in mixed and female dormitories of various sizes. Book here through Scotland's Top Hostels to get the best price and flexibility:
Heading to Edinburgh Next? Check Out Our Budget Holiday Hostel Accommodation
On your way to your next destination and stopping through the compact, historic and stunning Scottish Capital?
Explore our three legendary Edinburgh backpackers hostels here:
For the most social and lively party vibes:
To stay right in the middle of town and close to the action, but a bit more laidback:
For the best mix of social and chill:
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