caledonian canal on road bike

[sparkyman]

Has any one ridden the Stretch from Fort Augustus to fort william avoiding the A82?

Day three of My ride (JOG to Blackpool) from Conon Bridge is along the south side of Ness to fort Augustus and then on to fort william.

I would like to avoid the A82 as much as possible.

I can see on Google maps a tow path and some minor roads are they passable for a tour/ road bike?

Any sugestion as to the best ridable route through this stretch?

Sparkyman

 

[Big T]

We did the stretch from Fort Augustsus to Bridge of Oich, which is Ok for road bikes (apart from one 50 yards stretch of "cobbles"), but after that it becomes much rougher and is only suitable for MTB's, IMO. We used the A82 to Spean Bridge, then turned right at the Commando memorial and dropped down to Gairlochy and took the back road into Fort William. This is a great road, it has fine views of Ben Nevis on the other side of the valley and you emerge at "Neptune's Staircase" near Fort William.

The A82 from Bridge of Oich to Spean Bridge wasn't too bad. The worst stretch is south of Fort William, which is very busy and very narrow.