Snowgoose Centre is well placed for the Great Glen Canoe Trail. This offers a great opportunity to canoe or kayak along the spectacular Great Glen.
It is an epic 60 Mile (95km) journey crossing Scotland. Can be completed in 4 to 5 Days.
-
-
- Accommodation
- Great Glen Canoe Trail
- Equipment Hire
- Water Adventures
- Mountain Adventures
- More Info
- Blog
- Location
- Weather
- Useful Links
- Activities & Hire - Terms & Conditions
- Accommodation - Terms & Conditions
- Privacy & Cookies
- Contact
-
-
- Accommodation
- Great Glen Canoe Trail
- Equipment Hire
- Water Adventures
Additional Product Information
List of items included in Hire
Open Canoe Bundle per Boat/Group:
2-man Open Canoe (With Block buoyancy and painter Lines)
2 x PFD, 2 x Paddles, plus 1 x Spare Paddle
1 x Barrel
1 x 5ltr Dry Bag
Bailer & Sponge
Per Hire Group 1 x Trolley
Overview of the Great Glen Canoe Trail
We provide one of the most comprehensive services in Scotland for open canoes & sea kayak hire & shuttle services for the Great Glen Canoe Trail and elsewhere on the west coast of Scotland
Snowgoose Centre is well placed for the Great Glen Canoe Trail. This offers a great opportunity to canoe or kayak along the spectacular Great Glen. It is an epic 60 Mile (95km) journey crossing Scotland in 5 days.
Along the Caledonian Canal from near Fort William to Inverness, which follows the Great Glen geological running along the very varied stretches of canal and conquering the formidable open waters of Loch Lochy Loch Oich and Loch Ness, a challenge in itself.
We are located in the Highlands of Scotland at the extreme SW end of the Caledonian Canal, 4 miles from Fort William – literally yards from the real start of the Great Glen Canoe Trail – as well as the other Great Glen Ways by foot, bike or sail.
The canal is operated by British Waterways Board and is very popular for canoeists and kayakers, Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions, families & club groups. Enjoy, stay safe and leave no trace.
We also offer guided open canoe & sea kayak tours and 2 – 5 day expeditions in other fantastic remote and wild locations on the west coast of Scotland.
Suggested Trip itinary:
Day 1
Fort William (Corpach) to New area -Dearg Allt – Ford NN2431092199 Due to Construction work around the Glas Dhoire area.
You may have stayed with us the night before. We meet at Snowgoose Centre, 4 miles from Fort William to get kitted out with your hired equipment, time to pack and a briefing on the journey. The canoes are loaded ready for the drop off at the top of Neptune’s Staircase a short distance away. The first day starts with an easy paddle along the Caledonian Canal section to the foot of Loch Lochy at Gairlochy. There will be a panoramic view to the south of the Ben Nevis Range, Anoach Mor Ski Area & the Grey Corries – as well as views across Loch Lochy as we hug the north side of the loch away from any traffic. Put up tents and cook a meal. Wild camp overnight.
Day 2
Loch Lochy ( Glas Dhoire) to Loch Ness (north of Fort Augustus)
Break camp after cooking breakfast. Take to the water and paddle to Laggan Lochs. There is a short portage around the locks here – then a paddle along the canal section onto Loch Oich, one of the three main lochs in the Great Glen past the Well of the Seven Heads. After Loch Oich there are 3 further short portages around the locks at Cullochy, Kytra and Fort Augustus and a paddle along the canal section all the way to the start Loch Ness, one of the most famous bodies of water in the world! There are shops in Fort Augustus! Paddle onto Loch Ness and wild camp overnight.
Day 3
Fort Augustus to Whitefield (south side of Loch Ness)
A really stunning day canoeing the open waters of Loch Ness, passing the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the north shore – maybe some monster watching along the way. No matter what the weather does – come rain or shine – this journey is spectacular keeping well away from the busier north shore of Loch Ness. If you are lucky enough to be paddling on the Loch when it’s a mill pond then you will enjoy crystal clear reflections of the surrounding mountains. Camping on the wild side of Loch Ness and cook up dinner your last dinner.
Day 4
Campsite south side of Loch Ness to Inverness ( DochGarroch)
Complete the remaining stretch of Loch Ness by canoe, through Loch Dochfour usually ending our journey at Dochgarroch just outside Inverness where your trip comes to an end. We will then load our canoes & gear onto the trailer and head back to Fort William for you to pick up your cars, unless your heading off from Inverness – and a well earned rest after a magic experience.
There is an option to paddle further into Inverness to Tomnahurich or Clachnaharry toward the Beauly Firth – we would recommend that the itinerary is adjusted to accommodate this and allow five days for the journey.
Is it for you
Heading off into the wild yonder is a fabulous, exciting, wholly worthwhile experience but can you and the rest of your party cope if things go wrong or the weather kicks up? which it does at times.
Before you take our boats out on hire we will always ensure you are properly kitted out, equipped and adequately informed for your trip. We do have a duty of care towards our clients. We do not hire out to solo paddlers under any circumstances. We will always have a briefing session with clients before they leave us – please allow for this in your planning.
However, you and your party do have a personal responsibility in terms of your own safety. This is part of your contract with us.
We offer a fully comprehensive information & advice service based on years of experience and local knowledge. Please use this – we are happy to help.
-You must ensure that all of your group have the necessary skills, knowledge & experience to look after themselves and others on the trip you have planned – should the weather & circumstances turn against you.
-We do not hire out to solo paddlers under any circumstances.
-There must always be at least one person 21 years or older in any group hire, that is an experienced paddler. Our minimum age for all activities is 8 years, with responsible adult.
-British Canoe recommend ratios should be followed at all times for –Ratios and/or qualifications
-The group should all be able to right canoes & kayaks; effect rescues on other members of the party as well as self-rescues; raft up boats in adverse weather conditions
-All of the group should have previous paddling experience on open water for at least full day trips & be able to effect rescues in Force 2 – 4 winds
-Please ensure that the entire group – not just the group organiser – is aware of what to do if an emergency does arise.
-If your party has limited paddling experience there is no reason why you should not undertake overnight paddling journeys BUT we do strongly advise that you all will have had qualified instruction before you arrive with us to specifically cover the points above – purely for your own safety, comfort and enjoyment. There are plenty of local clubs with qualified Moderate Water Coaching/Leadership Awards. Who for a fee, will be able to cover all of the above pints in detail – or seek out a experienced qualified local commercial provider who would cover the same.
-We will require a information of the previous paddling experience for all members of the group who hire from us. This will include an overall view of the level of experience / qualifications within the group to be able to take part in self-guided overnight trips in wild & remote country. For hires in a coastal environment suitable qualification / competency are required.
For the more inexperienced we do Guided canoe trips to find out more click here.
The Trail / Route / Usefull Information
Route Maps and Useful Information:
- Great Glen Canoe Trail Map
- Scottish Canals – Caledonian Skipper Guide
- Scottish Canals – Great Glen Canoe Trail Info
- Register your trip – If your group includes 10 or more canoes or kayaks, or if you plan publicity for your trip, this may be classed as a Paddle Event.
OTHER LINKS – Outdoor & Access Guidance from Great Glen Canoe Trail and Outdoor Access Code.
- Loch Safety
- Canal Safety
- In an Energency – HM Coastguard & RNLI
- Check – Clean – Dry.
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- Leave no Trace
Health and Hygiene
- Insects –Flyies , Ticks , Tick Poster Tick Poster
- Camping Information
- SCA – Paddling and Our Environment
- SCA – Poo
- SCA – Inland paddling good practise guide
- SCA – Sea Kayak paddling good practice guide
Local Information
Locally based paddling information and advice from Snowgoose Centre. Before you set off on your hire – based on over 30 years of paddling experience on the Caledonian Canal.
Accommodation options
Comfortable Bunkhouse accommodation for the first and last night of your trip.
Stay for longer in one of our Self Catering Apartment.
Shuttle
A full shuttle service can be provided for canoes plus equipment & max 8 persons for those hiring equipment from us. Note: Where there are additional boats not hired from us to be included in hire shuttle, alongside hiring our own hire boats, an additional £ 25 per boat is charged.
A free drop off to the top of Neptune’s Staircase at Banavie to all our hire customers. We also have ample off road Free carparking at Snowgoose Centre, to leave your car and trailer while you are away. (Left at Owners own risk)
When paddling from one end of the Caledonian Canal from west to east along the Great Glen Canoe Trail paddlers do not often finish in the same place as they started! To this end Snowgoose Centre offers a “shuttle service”. When you have completed your trip we bring boats, gear and people back to Fort William where you can collect your cars. Unless your heading off from Inverness by other means. We will shuttle the equipment back to our Centre. This needs to be by prior arrangement.
Traditional the Great Glen Canoe Trail is started at Corpach and finished in Inverness. But depending on wind direction advise might be a better option to start in Inverness.
We are happy to store any surpluses luggage and gear safely while you are on your trip. You may have made arrangements to travel onwards from Inverness by train or air. Our shuttle service takes all the hassle & complications out of this. At owners own risk
Shuttle service for Open Canoes and Sea Kayaks please contact us direct for further information and prices. Contact us.
Equipment Specs
16 Ft Open Canoe
Weight: From 32Kg
Carrying Capacity: 460Kgs
Length: 15Ft 8″
Width: 36″
Depth: 14″
PFD
Barrel
5 Ltr Dry Bag
Trolley
Where possible the above equipment will be supplied, this may vary due to operations.
Damage Costs
Canoe lost £1,600 Canoe wrapped/folded £1,600 Large scrape Size – Depth and lengths Plus £35 Broken thwart/kneeling thwart £60 Scrape through the outer layer to white £90 Bow or stern Dint £90 Broken seat £80 Splitting/cracking of inner layer, including inappropriate trolley use £110 Recovery of a wrapped canoe from a river £300 + Transport Cost C-Tug Puncture free Wheels – Damage 40 C-Tug SandTrakz Wheels – Damage 40 Words of wisdom & Caution
Words of Wisdom & Caution
Please ask for our advice & information if you are planning a self-guided trip with canoes or kayaks hired from us. There will always be a Approx 30 minute detailed briefing before you leave us.
- If you are planning a paddling overnight trip / expedition in open canoes or sea kayaks, please remember that these are small craft. and have weight limits. Careful consideration needs to be given to the amount of gear to be carried.
- If we feel that you are intending to overload the boats, then we will advise you to reduce the amount of gear to a reasonable level. Alternatively, we reserve the right to cancel the hire.
- Please remember that if you are undertaking paddling expeditions on the Caledonian Canal or any other of our sea or inland lochs – these are BIG wide expanses of open water – in fact classed as inland seas. Waves can set up to 4 – 6’ high on the inland lochs of Loch Ness & Loch Lochy.
- IF IN DOUBT – STAY PUT! On a daily basis you will need to take consideration of the current weather, the forecast, the competence and experience of your whole party, and the amount of gear you are carrying. Quite often the weather can calm down after a few hours – so take a break. It is better to hunker down for a few hours than have a life changing experience – or worse.
- Please remember that alcohol and paddling do not mix under any circumstances.
- While some dogs are more than happy to hunker down in an open boat – this is something that we advise against unless the dog in question has done this sort of thing before and is happy – also remember that you will be going into sheep country where sheep roam wild – in any case all dogs must be kept under control at all times.
Related equipment to hire
EQUIPMENT HIRE ENQUIRY
How Equipment Hire Works!!
- 1. Add the hire items you need to cart.
- 2. Send Enquiry form with addition information.
- 3. We will contact you if we require more details.
- 4. We'll send you a link to complete our full booking form and payment details to secure your hire. We will confirm your hire on receipt of booking form and payment.
You currently have no equipment in your form.
Equipment Hire Enquiry Form
- Great Glen Canoe Trail
- Accommodation
- Great Glen Canoe Trail
- Accommodation
