How to get the the Highlands
The event starts in Fort William and follows the Great Glen Way up to Inverness. Travel options will depend on where/when you are finishing.
Fort William is approx 2.5 hours (driving)/107 miles north of Glasgow and is served by regular rail connections. Inverness is a further 65 miles (driving) north, also served by regular rail connections and an airport, with flights to and from most UK destinations.
Travelling from England?
Keen to take part but not too sure where it is or how to get there? Read on & enjoy the delights of the Scottish Highlands...
We want to reassure you that Fort William is really quite easy to get to! Below is a bit of information that we’ve pulled together to put your mind at ease about the journey up north for your Monster challenge.
Maggie’s Monster Bike & Hike starts in the town of Fort William, so where exactly is Fort William?
Situated 101 miles or a three-hour drive North West from Glasgow, Fort William is in the Scottish Highlands and sits at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Great Britain. Known as the hiking and biking district and outdoor capital of the UK, Glen Nevis and Fort William attracts around 400,000 outdoor enthusiasts every year.
The event takes place along the popular walking route, the Great Glen Way, which goes through spectacular Scottish countryside on a 73 mile route from Fort William to Inverness.
Take a look at the Great Glen Way website for more information about the route and area.
What’s the weather like?
The Met Office has an up to date weather forecast for Fort William. Remember it is still winter and over the past few years we have experienced lovely warm sunny days over the May bank holiday weekend so please don’t be put off by the current winter climate!
How can I get there?
You can travel to Fort William by train, plane, bus or car. Below is more detailed information on each mode of transport and how long you can expect your journey to take.
By train
Whether you are flying into Scotland or catching a train, there are excellent rail links from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Fort William. You should expect a three-hour journey from Glasgow and a four-hour journey from Edinburgh.
Sleeper trains run daily from London Euston to both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Visit the National Rail website to find out your journey details
By plane
There are regular flights from major cities in England to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and from London to Inverness.
Visit the Glasgow Airport, Edinburgh Airport and Inverness Airport websites for more information on which airlines fly from your nearest airport and for car hire and taxi services.
If you hire a car from the airport, the driving distance to Fort William from Glasgow is 101 miles; from Inverness is 65 miles and from Edinburgh is 134 miles.
By bus
If you choose to take the bus from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Fort William you should expect a three to five-hour journey respectively. Take a look at the Citylink service timetable for more information.
By car
If you decide to drive up to Fort William you can expect a travel time of 8.5 to10 hours from London. To find out how long it will take to drive from where you are to Fort William, visit Google Maps, click 'Get Directions' and type in your postcode. This will give you the drive time, mileage and suggested route.
By taxi
If you need to arrange for a taxi to collect you from the train station in Fort William or one of the airports be sure to book one in advance. Use the Visit Fort William site for their recommended taxi companies.