Loch Ness 360° Trail

For years, Loch Ness has been a fascination to tourists from all over. Notwithstanding its elusive resident, the shores and surrounding scenery of the loch make it a location for those keen to immerse themselves in beautiful Highlands countryside. To help lovers of the outdoors to make the most of what this special area has to offer, the Loch Ness 360° Trail was conceived. This exhilarating 80-mile roundtrip combines Highland heritage with wildlife and stunning sights to give you the perfect day around Loch Ness. The whole trail can take 2-3 days to complete and can be walked or cycled. Guests at Ness Walk in Inverness can do it in sections , returning each night by car for them to pick up where they left off the next day. Speak to our reception team for help with this. 

What is the Loch Ness 360° Trail?

The Loch Ness 360° Trail or LN360 is a fully waymarked route. It loops around the entire circumference of Loch Ness. Weaving together sections of the Great Glen Way and the South Loch Ness Trail, it consists of forest tracks, rolling hills, rugged moorland and peaceful country roads. Of course, the lochside views never get old and change depending on the season. 

Walkers and cyclists are both welcome on this trail. It has been split into 6 sections to help with tackling the route. Doing one section per day is usually doable for those with a vigour for outdoor pursuits.

For keen cyclists, the full LN360 route can be completed in two to three days at a steady pace, although for those with stamina it is possible to do the whole route in one day. Attempting this in the summer months with longer days may be preferred. Setting off from Ness Walk early in the morning allows you to complete the full circuit and return in time for a well-earned dinner and a dram. 

Setting off from Ness Walk Hotel

Begin your journey just after sunrise with a hearty Highland breakfast at Torrish, our in-house restaurant. Fuel up with fresh porridge, smoked salmon, or perfectly poached eggs. Leaving early means you can make the most of daylight hours, which are limited in winter, but this trail offers plenty of sights to enjoy at every tie of year. It tends to be less busy in winter, so this may be exactly the time to enjoy a quieter trail. 

From Ness Walk you’ll join the Great Glen Way, which heads southwest out of Inverness, skirting the Caledonian Canal and offering a gentle warm-up for the day ahead.

The first section of the trail is from Inverness to Drumnadrochit. This route takes you through plenty of woodland as you rise high above the loch – perfect for some stunning photography. 

Six trail sections

The LN360 trail has six sections, and are briefly as follows.

Section 1

Drumnadrochit is about 15 miles west of Inverness. This village is the unofficial centre of Loch Ness legend, host of the Loch Ness Centre. Here, you will be able to find out all you have ever wanted to know about Loch Ness. Certainly make time for visiting nearby Uquhart Castle, perched on the lochside and with hundreds of years of history to tell. 

Section 2

From there, the trail continues south to Invermoriston, climbing into forested trails with further stunning glimpses of the loch far below. The climbing becomes more noticeable in this section, but the reward is waterfalls and landscapes that few get to eperience.

Section 3

The next section brings you to Fort Augustus, located at the opposite end of Loch Ness to Inverness. This charming village offers a welcome break with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and riverside spots to rest. There are many opportunities to sit with a drink and watch the barges float by on the canal. If you’re cycling the full loop in one day, aim to reach Fort Augustus by midday. This gives you a buffer to enjoy the more rugged second half of the journey at a reasonable pace.

Section 4

From Fort Augustus, the LN360 trail transitions to the South Loch Ness Trail, a wilder, quieter route with panoramic views and more remote terrain. Unlike the busier western side, this section feels gloriously untamed. You’ll climb into higher elevations, pass through Whitebridge and Foyers, and roll past dramatic viewpoints over Loch Ness that few tourists ever see.

Section 5

In Foyers, you’ll find the famous Falls of Foyers. This is a 165-foot cascade that you have to see for yourself. It inspired the poet Robert Burns, so what will it stir in you? It’s worth pausing here for a moment to take it in. After Foyers, the trail becomes increasingly undulating, with gravel and woodland paths leading you through peaceful stretches of Highland wilderness.

Section 6

Eventually, you’ll descend back towards Dores, where the trail returns to tarmac roads and finally winds back into Inverness. Dores is where the Nessie Hunter spends a lot of his time. Why not pop over for a breather and a chat? This last section offers a triumphant ride along the banks of the River Ness, where Inverness emerges back into sight.

What to see on the Loch Ness 360° Trail

The trail has been created to give travellers the chance to visit some historical and beautiful sights, as well as immerse themselves in Highland nature. Ancient castle ruins, dense pine forests ( with red squirrels), high moorland and welcoming Highland villages all await. Buzzards, red deer, otters and eagles could all be spotted in the right conditions.

The views of Loch Ness itself are unforgettable. From Urquhart Castle to Dores Beach and everywhere in between, you’ll visit quiet spots and tourist hotspots. And the whole time, the mysterious loch sits before you, a calming presence in our unpredictable world.

Book your stay at Ness Walk

The Loch Ness 360° Trail is a trip through Highland history and nature. For the ultimate in luxurious stays after a busy day on foot or on wheels, Ness Walk is the destination to visit. Our kingsized beds in elegant rooms will welcome you each night, getting you prepared for the next section. And don’t forget to enjoy our charming restaurant as a reward to yourself. Book your stay now. 

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