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Fort William, Inverlochy And Torlundy

Caledonian Canal – Neptune's Staircase loop from Fort William

Fort William, Inverlochy And Torlundy

Caledonian Canal – Neptune's Staircase loop from Fort William

Moderate

4.0

(1)

riders

Caledonian Canal – Neptune's Staircase loop from Fort William

02:53

44.9km

220m

Gravel riding

Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 20, 2026

Tips

Includes movable bridges

Check opening times.

After 15.0 km for 32 m

After 29.8 km for 32 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

4.78 km

Neptune's Staircase Locks

Highlight • River

Barrages from Neptunes Staircases guide the boats over the difference in height

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.61 km

Connecting Inverness and Corpach, the Caledonian Canal stretches 60 miles (97 km) through some of Scottland's most stunning scenery through vast lochs like Loch Ness and magnificent glens. Only one-third of the canal is actually man-made as it flows through many lochs en route.

Built in 1822, the canal was used to transport goods until 2005. Today, it is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and attracts many visitors each year.

Tip by

17.0 km

View of Loch Lochy

Highlight • Lake

Loch Lochy is Scotlands third deepest loch and is part of the Caledonian Canal.

Folklore tales mention a supernatural being called the River Horse which was said to emerge from the lake and assume a horse's shape before feeding on the loch's banks. The River Horse was also known as the Lord of the Lake and the Water King and would overturn boats and entice mares from their pastures.

Tip by

22.4 km

View of Loch Lochy

Highlight • Viewpoint

Difficult to describe and photos are just a snapshot of this magnificent scenery.
You have to experience it yourself, and rain is part of it.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

26.8 km

Wild Camping Spot at Loch Arkaig

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great wildcamping spot right here! ;)

Tip by

29.8 km

Gairlochy Bottom Lock, Caledonian Canal

Highlight • River

10 miles flat ride from Neptune’s Gate. There are benches to stop and refresh. You can either backtrack to Neptune’s Gate, or cross the canal and ride back to Neptune’s Gate on sealed road it’s a few inclines. Or you can ride 11 miles to Laggan....or keep going to Fort Augustus or Inverness. There is an old lighthouse also. This is part of Loch Lochy. Worth a trip! 🚲

Tip by

32.0 km

Moy Bridge

Highlight • Structure

Still hand operated.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

39.6 km

Neptune's Staircase

Highlight • Structure

Built between 1803-22, Neptune’s Staircase is a flight of eight locks on the Caledonian Canal. Set in the shadow of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, it is the longest staircase lock flight in Scotland. This feat of engineering raises the canal by 62 feet (19 m) over a quarter of a mile (400 m) with continuous masonry and takes roughly 90 minutes for a boat to travel up or down.

Tip by

42.3 km

Tail Race

Lake

44.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

23.3 km

13.3 km

4.84 km

1.82 km

1.49 km

115 m

Surfaces

21.9 km

17.5 km

3.53 km

981 m

707 m

287 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (60 m)

Lowest point (undefined)

Weather

Saturday 11 July

23°C

13°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Neptune's Staircase Locks