Stage 2 of the Great Glen Way covers 20.2 km from Gairlochy to South Laggan, with 475 m of ascent and 468 m of descent. The highest point is 146 m. Allow about 6 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.
Floating pub and restaurant in a converted Dutch barge at Laggan Locks, right on the trail. Seasonal: closed for the 2026 season and reopening in April 2027; when open, book food by 3pm the day before.
Free lochside wild-camping site in the forest on the north-west shore of Loch Lochy, on the trail about 14.5 km after Gairlochy and 5.5 km before Laggan Locks. Very basic: a composting toilet at most and no water tap, so treat loch water; no booking.
Family-run guest house in South Laggan between Loch Lochy and Loch Oich, about 800 m from Laggan Locks and the trail. Evening meals can be arranged; book by phone or email.
Independent hostel in South Laggan, about 1 km from Laggan Locks, with single, twin, family and en-suite rooms and a six-bed dorm. Its licensed Farmhouse Kitchen restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Small free camping area at Laggan Locks, on the trail at the north end of Loch Lochy, for about five tents. Toilets and showers use the Scottish Canals key; no booking, so have a plan B.
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.