The West Highland Way is 152km (95 miles) long. The walk links Milngavie to Fort William from the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, to the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, following the shores of Loch Lomond, it's largest freshwater loch.
The route passes Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro, from the lowlands, across the Highland Boundary Fault, and on into the Scottish Highlands. Passing such places as St Fillan's Priory, near the mining village of Tyndrum. Also nearby is the area known as Dalrigh or Kings Field, it was here that Robert the Bruce was defeated by the MacDougalls in 1306.
As you pass through Rannoch Moor, one of the most isolated and bleakest places in Scotland, you will be impressed by the spectacular views, over this vast area, continuing into Glencoe, the famous scene of the massacre, which took place in 1692. This area attracts many walkers and climbers from all over the world throughout the year.
Much of the Way follows ancient and historic routes of communication, and makes use of military roads built by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans, and the drove roads along which Highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the lowlands. You also make use of the old coaching roads and disused railway lines from the more recent past.
The last part of the walk takes you into Glen Nevis, which leads to the foot of Ben Nevis, the movie location for Braveheart and Rob Roy. This beautiful area is famed for it's outstanding scenery, making it a superb finishing point.
If you are lucky whilst walking the Way, you may also see some of the wildlife of the area. The Feral Goats left behind following the clearances, the magnificent Red Deer and, away over the mountains soaring Golden Eagles.
| Day 1: | Milngavie-Drymen | 12m/19km |
| Day 2: | Drymen-Rowardennan | 14m/22.5km |
| Day 3: | Rowardennan-Inverarnan | 14m/22.5km |
| Day 4: | Inverarnan-Tyndrum | 13.25m/21.25km |
| Day 5: | Tyndrum-Kingshouse | 18.75m/29.75km |
| Day 6: | Kingshouse-Kinlochleven | 9m/14.5km |
| Day 7: | Kinlochleven-Fort William | 14m/22.5km |
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Milngavie to Drymen
The first day starts with a brief introduction to the guides who will be accompanying you on your walk, and the collection of luggage to go by road. From here we start the walk, the first day is relatively easy starting from the town square in Milngavie, we set off through Mugdock Wood the views soon open up, looking over the Kilpatrick Hills and Campsie Fells, finally arriving in Drymen, where we will be collected by our transport and taken to The Rowardennan Youth Hostel, where we spend night one.
Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km)
Drymen to Rowardennan
On day two we start off again in the transport back to Drymen! From here we follow part of the old military road to the Garadbhan Forest and then make our way up and over Conic Hill where there are excellent views of Loch Lomond and the surrounding area. We then drop down onto the shores of the Loch, following the shoreline into The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, for our second nights stay at the Rowardennan Youth Hostel.
Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km)
Rowardennan to Inverarnan
Day three starts by taking us past Ben Lomond (Scotland's most southerly Munro) and into Rob Roy country, hugging the shoreline of Loch Lomond, we pass Rob Roy's Prison and cave, which we will visit. Soon after our stop at Rob Roy's cave we stop again at Doune Bothy for some lunch shortly before arriving at Inverarnan. Again we meet our transport to take us to our overnight stay in the village of Crainlarich.
Distance: 13.25 miles (21.25 km)
Inverarnan to Tyndrum
From Crainlarich the transport takes us back to the previous day's finishing point to begin day four. We follow the track into Glen Falloch, past The Falls of Falloch, where remanants of the old Caledonian pine forest remain, which once used to cover the area many centuries ago. St Fillan`s Priory near Dalrigh, where Robert The Bruce was defeated by The Mac Dougalls Of Lorne in 1306, sees us near the finish of day four in the mining village of Tyndrum where we spend the night again at the Crainlarich Youth Hostel.
Distance: 18.75 miles (29.75 km)
Tyndrum to Kingshouse
Hopefully an early start as this is a long day. From Tyndrum we head off toward Bridge of Orchy and skirt the shores of Loch Tulla, a beautiful Loch which is most recognised from appearing in many Scottish calendars and postcards, the Loch itself is surrounded by Scots Pine, again remnants of the old Caledonian pine forest, from here we head up the old military road into the vast heather clad wilderness of Rannoch Moor, past Ba Bridge to the old drovers inn of the Kingshouse Hotel. Once again the transport meets us, to take us to our overnight location in Glencoe (A visit to the Clachaig Inn in the evening is a must!).
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
Back at the Kingshouse we set off towards Altnafeadh, and our ascent of the Devil's Staircase (not as fierce as the name might suggest), the total climb is 849ft (259m) and from here there are great views back over the Glen and the 'Buachaille'. From the top of the staircase we then start our long descent into Kinlochleven, at the head of Loch Leven, where we will meet the transport once again, to take us back to our second nights stay at The Glencoe Youth Hostel.
Distance: 14 miles (22.5 km)
Kinlochleven to Fort William
The final day! A fairly steep path sees us leave Kinlochleven village behind and continues only for a short while until we join the old military road for the last leg towards Fort William. From here we walk through the Mamore mountains which tower above on both sides until we enter the conifer forests which surround us and the path as we near Glen Nevis, every now and again glimpses of Britain's highest mountain can be seen through the tree tops. A short descent into Glen Nevis sees us to the finish in Fort William, and the end of this wonderful walk. After the certificate presentation and photographs at the finish, we move down into Glen Nevis for showers etc. Before our transport takes us back to Glasgow.
We provide you with all the relevant information and administration on the run up to your event, including packed lunch requests, Kit lists, FAQ's, contact numbers etc.
All accommodation is either youth hostels or bunkhouses, which are of a very high standard of comfort and cleanliness. This type of accommodation involves small groups sharing.
Packed lunches are distributed each morning prior to the walk commencing and will contain whatever you requested on your daily lunch form. We will provide you with breakfast each morning prior to your walk, and your evening meal will be at one of the local inns or hotels where you can relax and have a drink or two before the transport takes you back to the accommodation.
All of our guides are highly motivated, experienced mountaineers, and also qualified first aiders. They offer both experience and encouragement, as well as sharing their great sense of humour, you really couldn't be in better hands!
Transport will always be on hand during the trip. Its main role is to transport us to any outlying accommodation that we may be staying in the evening, and for the movement of luggage to each overnight location. It is also there for safety reasons should anyone retire medically, or for any other reason. The guides are in contact at all times with the transport through radio communications should it be required. At certain locations along the Way, we have the transport meet us to serve tea, coffee or orange juice, and let us replenish our water bottles. And not forgetting our transport back to Glasgow!
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