Stage 1 of the Great Glen Way covers 16.7 km from Fort William to Gairlochy, with 24 m of ascent and 0 m of descent. The highest point is 31 m. Allow about 4 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Independent hostel in Banavie, a few hundred metres from Neptune's Staircase and the trail, about 6.5 km from the start. Its own website did not load when checked, so confirm by phone or on a booking site.
36-room hotel beside Neptune's Staircase at Banavie, right on the trail about 6.5 km from the start. Café-bistro open 11am to 9pm every day and a bar; some rooms are dog-friendly.
Small free camping area under the pines at Gairlochy top lock, right on the trail, for about six tents. Toilets and showers need the Scottish Canals facilities key (£10, from the Corpach or Inverness offices or by post); first come, first served, so have a plan B.
Farmhouse B&B on the A82 south of Spean Bridge with views of Ben Nevis, about 3.5 km from the trail and 5 to 6 km by road from Gairlochy. Book online; you need a lift or taxi from the trail.
Small hotel and restaurant in pine woods just north of Spean Bridge, about 3.5 km east of Gairlochy along the B8004 (no bus to Gairlochy). Open and taking bookings for the 2026 season; book rooms and dinner ahead.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "listed, not confirmed" appear on a public listing (OpenStreetMap, Scottish Canals or walkers' trip reports) but could not be confirmed on their own website. Gairlochy and South Laggan have only a few beds, and many campsites and some B&Bs close from October to March: book ahead, especially from May to September.
Emergency: call 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue (Coastguard on Loch Ness). Urgent medical advice: NHS 24 on 111. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.