Laggan Locks Loop

This is a short walk from the hostel, which follows the Caledonian Canal to Laggan Locks, and then crosses the A82 and follows a forestry track along the route of the old Spean Bridge – Fort Augustus railway line back to the hostel.

Turn left out of the hostel and walk with care north on the A82 for 200 metres, then turn off left at a small bridge and left again onto the Great Glen Way which follows the canal to Laggan Locks. The track runs along the top of the ‘spoil’ dug out by hand to create the canal in the 1800’s. About 400 metres before the Locks the path emerges from the trees giving a view of the Locks and the boats moored on the canal with a backdrop of the mountains above Loch Lochy. Continue along to the Locks where on a fine day it's an enjoyable pastime just to watch the boats as they pass through the locks, or you can read the memorial to the "Battle of the Shirts", an ancient clan battle. (So named, the story goes, because the day of the battle was so hot the clansmen were forced to take off their kilts and fight in their shirts).

On the left hand side of the locks is a road that heads back to the A82 - follow it to the highway and then turn right, and cross the A82. Almost immediately on the left you'll see a small clearing and a track heading up the hill. Take this track, which climbs uphill for about 100 metres and emerges onto a forestry track. This is the route of the old railway line. Turn left here, heading back towards the hostel. After about 20 minutes the hostel will come into view on the left across the paddock. Walk a little further and the forest track curves down to the left and back to the A82. Turn left along the road and walk for about 100 metres to return to the hostel.