- Distance: 96 miles / 154 km
- Available: March to October
| Miles* | Km* | |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 Arrive in Milngavie for your first night's accommodation | ||
| Day 2 Milngavie to Drymen | 12 | 19.5 |
| Day 3 Drymen to Rowardennan | 14 | 22.5 |
| Day 4 Rowardennan to Inverarnan | 14 | 22.5 |
| Day 5 Inverarnan to Tyndrum | 13 | 21 |
| Day 6 Tyndrum to Kingshouse | 19 | 30.5 |
| Day 7 Kingshouse to Kinlochleven | 9 | 14.5 |
| Day 8 Kinlochleven to Fort William | 15 | 24 |
| Day 9 Depart your accommodation after breakfast | ||
| *Note: Cumulative distance may exceed official trail length because of the need to sometimes walk in and out of towns for accommodation | ||
If our ready made itineraries don’t suit your needs please
contact us for a bespoke itinerary.
About this trail
The West Highland Way begins on lowland terrain passing through the delightful Mugdock Wood onto Craigallian Loch and past the Dumgoyach Standing Stones. For the best part of two days Loch Lomond is your companion as you traverse its shores and pass under the towering slopes of Ben Lomond en route.
The scenery becomes more dramatic and typically Highland in nature as you turn up Glen Fillan, the route meandering across the valley and its sides to reach the village Tyndrum, just over halfway to Fort William. Onwards you pass the beautiful Loch Tulla at Inveroran, then enter the dramatic valley of Glen Coe before reaching Altnafeadh where you climb up the Devil’s Staircase – the highest point on the walk. From here it is a gradual descent to Kinlochleven back down at sea level!
On the final day you are rewarded with views across the glen to Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. The path drops down into Glen Nevis and follows it to the finish of the West Highland Way at the busy town of Fort William.
Terrain and navigation
The West Highland Way is a popular route and is well signposted with the Scottish thistle waymarks. The path underfoot is generally well-trodden and easy to discern. The trail uses a combination of paths including rocky and gravelled sections alongside the lochs and grassy routes across moorland. For many the toughest section is between Rowardennan and Inverarnan owing to the uneven ground (rocks, tree roots) underfoot. There are some sizeable ascents and descents particularly in the latter part of the walk, but nothing that a walker with good fitness cannot manage.
Route elevation
Highest point: 548 metres
Total ascent / descent: 3335 metres / 3384 metres
Included as standard in the price
The price quoted is per person and is based on two people sharing a room. It includes:
- Carefully selected, en-suite bed and breakfast accommodation*
- Daily luggage transfers to your accommodation**
- All the necessary maps and guidebooks for your walk
- Route notes and maps detailing how to find your B&B at the end of each day
- The cost of any transfers that are required from the route to your accommodation if we are unable to book you into a B&B within easy walking distance of the trail
- Information of any special facilities offered by your hosts (eg hot tub or licensed bar)
- Suggestions and contact details for places for an evening meal each day
- Telephone support if and when required
- Advice from our team on travel to and from the start and end of the hike.
*En-suite is always chosen unless all options are booked out, in which case private bathrooms are sought. Customers are always consulted about non-en-suite options before details are finalised.
**Standard package includes one piece of baggage per walker, up to a maximum weight of 20kg. Additional bags can be transferred but incur an additional cost. Please enquire if you need this service.
Packed lunches and evening meals
The cost of these is not included in our standard package. All the accommodation providers we use offer packed lunches to keep you well fed during your walk. Payment is made directly to your hosts. Similarly, if you have an evening meal either at your accommodation or another local establishment, you pay them directly for it.
Optional extras that can be provided by Discovery Travel
Discovery Travel specialises in providing completely tailor-made services to our clients. This means that if our standard published itineraries do not suit our customers’ needs, we are always happy to discuss ways in which we can adjust accommodation, shorten or lengthen itineraries and distances to make for the perfect trip.
We also offer the following services to make for a seamless holiday:
- Transport to and from the start and finish of a trail
- Airport transfers
- Minibus and driver service, in particular for large groups where multiple accommodations are required each night and transfers are frequently required at the end of the day’s walk
If you are interested in any of the above or have any particular requirements, please do contact us to discuss your needs.
Make more of your break
If you would like to pause during your walk and explore one of the overnight locations for longer, you are free to select and add extra days to your holiday at any of your overnight stops. Prices for extra days are quoted above and will be added to the total cost of the holiday. If the itineraries on our website do not quite meet your requirements please do get in touch to arrange a bespoke trip.
Below are some suggestions for good places to spend an extra day or so.
Tyndrum
Tyndrum is a good place for a rest day, at just over halfway along the trail. It’s not a big place, but there are some shops, some cafes and pleasant local walks. For a day away from the trail, take the train to Oban (it takes just over one hour) for a day’s sight-seeing at this bustling coastal town and port.
Fort William
If you want to complete your holiday with the additional challenge of climbing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, then Fort William is the ideal place to add an extra night. It’s also where you can board the Jacobite steam train to Mallaig, which doubled as the Hogwart’s Express of Harry Potter fame.
When to go
The weather in the UK can vary hugely so be prepared for all weathers whatever time of the year. April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking. September is one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather can be much more changeable, particularly in parts of Scotland.
Getting to and from the trail
By Air: Glasgow is served by a range of inter-continental flights.
By Rail: Milngavie and Fort William both have train stations with direct services to Glasgow. Fort William is also served by the Sleeper train to London. For train times and fares visit National Rail Enquiries.
Got a question about travel? If you need any advice about travel to and from your walk please get in touch with Discovery Travel and we will be happy to help.