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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

Hard

4.0

(2)

riders

Caledonian Canal – Neptune's Staircase loop from Fort William

03:43

50.2km

480m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very 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 26, 2026

Tips

Includes movable bridges

Check opening times.

After 35.2 km for 32 m

After 35.3 km for 32 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

2.48 km

Inverlochy Castle Ruins

Highlight • Historical Site

Inverlochy Castle was founded in the 13th century on the site of an earlier fort. The castle, which played a part in Scottish and English history during the civil wars of the 1640s, was abandoned in 1654 in favour of a large timber fort built by Oliver Cromwell.

This new fort was then replaced by a stone fort called ‘Fort William’ and the town that grew around it went on to take the same name. The ruins are a fascinating place to explore and there are lots of information boards so you can learn about the history.

Tip by

3.23 km

Ben Nevis Distillery and Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

Named after the highest mountain in Scotland, just around the corner, is the Ben Nevis Distillery, which invites to round trips and whiskey tastings. For hikers, there are also small bottles to take away;)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

15.5 km

Forest Trail and Waterfall near Spean Bridge

Highlight • Waterfall

This is one of a number of great fire roads connecting Spean Bridge to the Nevis Range trail center and on to Fort William. These roads provide easy and safe off road riding in the beautiful forest in the shadwo of Ben Nevis.

Tip by

35.2 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

37.4 km

Moy Bridge

Highlight • Structure

Still hand operated.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

44.7 km

Caledonian Canal

Highlight • Monument

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

45.0 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

45.5 km

Neptune's Staircase Locks

Highlight • River

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

Translated by Google •

Tip by

50.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

21.1 km

12.7 km

8.13 km

6.03 km

1.97 km

200 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

31.3 km

8.80 km

6.74 km

2.75 km

420 m

259 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (220 m)

Lowest point (undefined)

Weather

Friday 26 June

22°C

17°C

94 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Caledonian Canal – Neptune's Staircase loop from Fort William

Inverlochy Castle Ruins

Ben Nevis Distillery and Visitor Centre

Forest Trail and Waterfall near Spean Bridge

Gairlochy Bottom Lock, Caledonian Canal

Moy Bridge

Caledonian Canal

Neptune's Staircase

Neptune's Staircase Locks

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