A Great Glen Way packing list centres on full waterproofs, a 35–45 L pack, and comfortable trail shoes or boots, since Scotland's 117-km trail uses town and village accommodation. With no camping required, base weight stays low — most hikers carry 7–10 kg including rain gear.
The Great Glen Way runs 117 km from Fort William to Inverness, largely on canal towpaths and forest tracks beside Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy. Because you sleep indoors each night, the kit list is dominated by weather protection rather than camping gear — Scottish rain and wind are the real challenge. This list covers exactly what to bring. The full route data is in our Great Glen Way route guide.
What is the most important kit for the Great Glen Way?
Waterproofs come first. A fully taped waterproof jacket and overtrousers are essential in every season, paired with a pack rain cover or a waterproof pack. The Highlands are among Britain's wettest regions, and rain is possible on any day of the year. Quick-drying synthetic or merino layers beat cotton, which stays wet and cold. This is the single biggest comfort factor on the trail.
What size pack do you need?
Because the trail uses accommodation, a 35–45 L pack is ample. The durable, weather-resistant Fjallraven Abisko Hike 35 suits the moderate loads well. Hikers wild camping along the route (permitted under Scotland's access rights) need more volume — a comfortable Osprey Atmos AG 65 for a full camping kit, or a waterproof ultralight Hyperlite 2400 Windrider that shrugs off the persistent drizzle.
What clothing should you pack?
- Hiking layers: two wicking tops, hiking trousers, and a warm mid-layer fleece for cool, breezy days.
- Waterproofs: taped jacket and overtrousers — non-negotiable in Scotland.
- Insulation: a packable down or synthetic puffy for evenings and exposed high-level sections.
- Midge protection: a head net and repellent for June to August.
What is the full Great Glen Way kit table?
| Category | Item | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waterproofs | Jacket + overtrousers | Year-round |
| Pack | 35–45 L | No camping needed |
| Footwear | Trail shoes / light boots | Towpaths, tracks |
| Midge kit | Head net + repellent | Jun–Aug |
| Hydration | 1.5–2 L | Refill in towns |
What footwear works on the Great Glen Way?
The trail is mostly firm towpath and forest track with no scree or scrambling, so trail-running shoes or lightweight boots both work. Waterproof footwear or quick-draining shoes plus good wool socks suit the wet conditions. Carry a blister kit — the long firm-surface days can rub. Trekking poles ease the high-level alternative routes near Loch Ness.
What else should you bring?
Pack a 1.5–2 L hydration system (refill in the regular towns), a small first-aid and blister kit, a power bank, sunscreen for the bright days, and the official guide or GPX. Cash in pounds helps at small B&Bs. Tune the list to your dates using the Great Glen Way season guide. Current trail conditions and access rights for 2026 are published by NatureScot, and daily forecasts by the Met Office. Hikers comparing kit lists for similar British trails also use our Pennine Way packing list, and the kit overlaps closely with the nearby Hadrian's Wall Path.
How do resupply and accommodation work on the Great Glen Way?
The Great Glen Way is generously serviced, so you never need to carry more than a day's food. The trail threads through Fort William, Gairlochy, Laggan, Fort Augustus, Invermoriston, Drumnadrochit and Inverness, giving regular access to shops, cafes and pubs. Fort William and Inverness have full supermarkets at each end, while Fort Augustus, roughly halfway, is a convenient resupply and rest point with several eateries and stores.
Accommodation spans B&Bs, hostels, inns and campsites, typically GBP 40-80 per night for a room with breakfast. Booking ahead is essential from June to August and over bank holidays, when the trail and its towns are busiest. Wild camping is legal along the route under Scotland's access rights, giving budget hikers and those wanting solitude a flexible alternative, provided they follow leave-no-trace practice.
Because resupply is frequent and accommodation removes the need for cooking kit, most hikers travel light in a 35-45 L pack, as our Great Glen Way difficulty guide explains. The full stage-by-stage services are in the Great Glen Way route guide, and the resupply pattern closely resembles England's Hadrian's Wall Path.
What navigation and safety kit do you need on the Great Glen Way?
The Great Glen Way is well waymarked along its 117 km, but you should still carry proper navigation backup. A paper map or guidebook and a compass cover you if your phone dies in the cold or rain, and they are essential if you take the high-level Loch Ness alternatives, where cloud can reduce visibility quickly. A GPS app with the route downloaded for offline use is a useful supplement, not a replacement.
For safety, pack a small first-aid and blister kit, a fully charged power bank, a head torch for short autumn days, and a whistle. Tell someone your daily plan, and carry enough food and water between the regular towns. Mobile coverage is patchy in places along the glen, so do not rely on it for emergencies.
Because the trail is low-level and close to roads and towns, it is forgiving compared with the Munros, but Scottish weather still demands respect, as our Great Glen Way difficulty guide explains. The route detail and high-level options are in the Great Glen Way route guide, and the kit overlaps with England's Hadrian's Wall Path.
One last packing principle for the Great Glen Way: pack for wet, not for warm. Even a mild Highland day can deliver hours of rain, so prioritise items that keep working when soaked, such as quick-drying synthetics, a reliable shell, and spare dry socks sealed in a bag, over bulky insulation you will rarely need at this low altitude. A dry set of clothes kept permanently in a waterproof stuff sack means you always have something warm to change into at the day's end, which does more for morale on a rainy trail than any single luxury item you could carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a tent for the Great Glen Way?
No, not unless you choose to wild camp. The trail passes through towns and villages with B&Bs, hostels and campsites, so most hikers sleep indoors and carry only day kit and waterproofs in a 35–45 L pack.
What waterproofs do you need for the Great Glen Way?
A fully taped waterproof jacket and overtrousers are essential in every season, plus a pack rain cover or waterproof pack. The Highlands are among Britain's wettest areas, and rain is possible on any day, so quick-drying layers beat cotton.
Are hiking boots necessary on the Great Glen Way?
No. The trail is mostly firm towpath and forest track with no scree or scrambling, so trail-running shoes or lightweight boots both work. A comfortable, broken-in fit and good wool socks matter more than stiff boots.
Do you need midge protection on the Great Glen Way?
From June to August, yes. The wooded, lochside sections are prime midge habitat at dawn and dusk. A head net and repellent are worth carrying in summer, while walking in May or September largely avoids the problem.
How heavy should your pack be on the Great Glen Way?
Most hikers carry 7–10 kg, since accommodation removes the need for camping gear. The weight is mainly waterproofs, layers, water and snacks. Wild campers carrying a full kit will be heavier and need a larger 60-litre-class pack.
