Free taster · 21km of 70km
Walk Loch Ness from your own street
A 70km virtual challenge along the real shoreline, narrated by Nessie herself. Your opening 21km are completely free, so you can see exactly how everyday walking turns into an adventure before you spend anything.
What you are taking on
The deepest loch in Britain, one walk at a time
Loch Ness holds more fresh water than every lake in England and Wales combined. This route follows it end to end: past the ruins of Urquhart Castle, over Invermoriston Bridge, down to Fort Augustus, on to the thundering Falls of Foyers and the quiet sand at Dores Beach.
You cover it in the walking you already do. Nessie narrates the history, the legends and the hoaxes as you reach each one.
The route
Where the loch takes you
0km Inverness
The start line, where the loch begins its run southwest
8km Dores Beach
The quiet shingle shore with the clearest view down the whole loch
21km Urquhart Castle
Where the free taster ends. Thirteenth-century ruins and the most watched water in Britain
34km Invermoriston Bridge
Telford’s 1813 crossing over the falls of the River Moriston
45km Fort Augustus
The staircase of five locks at the foot of the loch
58km Falls of Foyers
A 140ft drop through the gorge, loud enough to hear before you see it
70km Journey’s end
Certificate, finisher medal and your route to keep
Why this one first
Built to be your easiest start
It is genuinely free
No card, no trial that bills you later. The first 21km cost nothing because we would rather you saw it working.
It syncs itself
Strava, Apple Health, Google Health, Fitbit and Polar feed in automatically. Or log by hand in about five seconds.
A story, not a step count
Seven landmarks, each with its own narration and Street View, so arriving somewhere actually feels like arriving.
Your first steps are on us
Twenty-one kilometres of the real Loch Ness, free. If it clicks, the rest of the route and every other challenge is one step away.
Common questions
Loch Ness challenge FAQ
Is the Loch Ness challenge really free?
The 21km taster is free and needs no card. The full 70km route unlocks with a single purchase or with membership.
How long does 70km take?
At 2km a day, about five weeks. At 5km a day, a fortnight. There is no deadline, so it takes exactly as long as you want.
Do I have to go to Scotland?
No. You cover the route wherever you are. The map, the landmarks and the narration are real; the walking is wherever you live.
Does cycling count?
Yes. Walking, running, cycling, swimming and wheeling all count toward your distance.
What do I get at the end?
A finisher certificate, your completed route to share, and the option of a physical medal and finisher tee.
