West Highland Way walking tour
Walk the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William in 7 stages
Briefing
The West Highland Way stretches 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie to Fort William and has been rated as Scotland's best long-distance walking route.
Booking this 8-day self-guided tour will take you at your own pace along the trails that cross the Scottish Highlands from south to north in a total of 7 stages. The tour includes 7 nights' accommodation with breakfast and luggage transfer during the entire trek.
You will cross the most iconic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands in comfort. You will sleep every night in cozy country inns and you will walk without having to carry your backpack due to the luggage transfer service included in the tour.
Loch Lomond, the Arrochar Alps, the Inversnaid Hotel, Rannoch Moor or Ben Nevis are just some of the iconic landscapes you will meet on this 96 miles (154 km) walking tour.
Tour details
Included
- 7 nights lodging
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfer during the 7 days
- Daily route information, maps and GPS tracks
- 24-hour telephone assistance from the United Kingdom
Not included
- Transfer Fort William - Milngavie
- Guide
- Other meals
Important information
The minimum recommended age to join the West Highland Way walking tour is 12 years old.
It will be essential to be in good physical shape to be able to complete the 7 stages of the route totaling 96 miles (154 km).
The West Highland Way walking tour can be done from the end of March to mid-October. From Howlanders we recommend booking the tour as far in advance as possible, as it is a very popular route and the availability of accommodation sells out quickly. If you plan to travel in high season (April/May or July/August) we recommend booking at least 6 months in advance.
The route is completed from south to north, because the southern stages are easier and will prepare you for the more demanding northern stages.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 45 days before the start of the tour, you will receive a refund of 70% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 44 and 30 days before the start of the tour you will receive a refund of 60% of the amount paid. If you cancel between 29 and 15 days before the start of the tour you will receive a refund of 40% of the amount paid. After this time or in case of not doing the activity, no refund will be made and it will not be possible to modify the reservation.
Reservation modifications are subject to the cancellation policies indicated, and the corresponding penalty will be applied in each case according to how far in advance the cancellation is requested.
Tour itinerary
BEFORE STARTING 👀
🎒The West Highland Way walking tour includes luggage transfer for the 7 days of the trek. The luggage transfer service will come to your accommodation each morning to pick up your backpack and take it to your assigned accommodation for the night. You will only have to leave it at the reception every morning.
💙Howlanders recommends you stay in Milngavie the day before the tour starts. At your accommodation, you will be given the labels you must stick on your backpack to deliver it the next day to the luggage transfer service.
If you decide not to stay in Milngavie the night before the tour starts, you can deliver your backpack directly to the Milngavie train station between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. on the same day the tour starts. In that case, you will be given the labels directly at the station.
📲With the confirmation of your booking you will have access to an app where you will find all the information you need to complete the route and you can download the maps and GPS tracks to use them offline, all directly from your smartphone!
📘If you also want to know more and discover all the secrets hidden along the West Highland Way we recommend you get the guide West Highland Way: Milngavie to Fort William (British Walking Guide).
DAY 1
Stage 1: Milngavie → Drymen
Difficulty: Low 🟢
Distance: 12 miles (19.5 km)
Elevation gain: +426 ft./ -394 ft. (+130 m./-120 m.)
Lodging in: Drymen
📸 Highlights: Campsie Fells and Blane Water.
Stage 1 West Highland Way
The luggage transfer service will come to your accommodation in Milngavie to pick up your backpack before the start of the tour and take it to your accommodation in Drymen. If you are not staying in Milngavie the night before the tour starts, you will meet the transfer at Milngavie train station between 8:30 and 9:00 am. And once the backpack is packed, the adventure begins!
On the first day of the West Highland Way walking tour, you will depart from Milngavie following the path that runs through Lennox, between the Campsie Fells and the Blane Water River. And you will reach the small village of Drymen. End of the route and well-deserved rest.
DAY 2
Stage 2: Drymen → Rowardennan
Difficulty: Medium 🟡
Distance: 14.5 miles (23.5 km)
Elevation gain: +1398 ft./ -1604 ft. (+426 m./-489 m.)
Lodging in: Rowardennan
📸 Highlights: Loch Lomond and Balmaha
Stage 2 West Highland Way
You will depart from Drymen and walk through a forest plantation to ascend Conic Hill, located on the route of The Great Divide that separates the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. A fairly steep climb culminating in views over Loch Lomond. Descend down a steep path to Balmaha, a small village nestled on the shores of the loch.
From Balmaha, you will follow the path along the loch through a natural forest. You will meet numerous short, steep climbs until you reach Rowardennan.
🟦 KEEP IN MIND
Rowardennan accommodations are limited and during high season (April-May and July-August) sell out well in advance. If there is no accommodation available in Rowardennan for the requested date, we will assign you an alternative accommodation in Balmaha or Drymen for the second night and add a shuttle service to your booking.
DAY 3
Stage 3: Rowardennan → Inverarnan
Difficulty: Low 🟢
Distance: 14.5 miles (23 km)
Elevation gain: +709 ft./ -751 ft. (+216 m./-229 m.)
Lodging in: Inverarnan
📸Highlights: Arrochar Alps and Inversnaid Hotel
Stage 3 West Highland Way
Leaving Rowardennan, the route through the Scottish Highlands climbs above Loch Lomond. You will have unique views of the peaks of the Arrochar Alps. From here, the road narrows, and you will cross a bridge in front of a spectacular waterfall and arrive at the iconic Inversnaid Hotel.
You will then pass through the RSPB's Inversnaid Nature Reserve and Rob Roy Cave. This section of the trail will be rough, with numerous ups and downs and a generally rough surface. After passing the Doune Bothy hut, the road will become better, but the last 2 miles from Ardleish to Inverarnan may seem long due to accumulated fatigue. Beinglas Farm will mark the end of this third stage.
📍 Recommended stops:
DAY 4
Stage 4: Inverarnan → Tyndrum
Difficulty: Medium 🟡
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Elevation gain: +1260 ft./ -584 ft. (+384 m./-178 m.)
Lodging in: Tyndrum
📸Highlights: Ben More and Stob Binnean
Stage 4 West Highland Way
The fourth day of the walking tour will begin by following a path along the River Falloch and ascending from Inverarnan towards Crianlarich. Ben More and Stob Binnean will be your backdrop. In addition, the views towards Loch Lomond at this point will undoubtedly be among the best of the entire route.
From Crianlarich, the road will continue through a large forest until you reach Tyndrum, a small village of less than 200 inhabitants where you will spend the fourth night.
DAY 5
Stage 5: Tyndrum → Kingshouse
Difficulty: High 🔴.
Distance: 19 miles (30.5 km)
Elevation gain: +1798 ft./ -1736 ft. (+548 m./-529 m.)
Lodging in: Kingshouse
📸 Highlights: Rannoch Moor and Buachaille Etive Mòr
Stage 5 West Highland Way
You leave Tyndrum following the valley towards the village of Bridge of Orchy. The Beinn Dorain hill will be ahead of you and the railroad on your right.
On leaving Bridge of Orchy you will find a steep climb. But you will see that it is well worth the effort. At the top, you will find some of the best views of the Scottish Highlands. Next, a short descent will take you to the secluded Inveroran Hotel.
You will leave Inveroran along Loch Tulla to reach the track across the moorland of Rannoch Moor. This is possibly the most scenic section of the West Highland Way. Stage 5 will end when you reach the village of Kingshouse where you will stay for the night. From here, you will have the best views of Buachaille Etive Mòr, Scotland's most photographed mountain.
🟦 KEEP IN MIND
Accommodation at Kingshouse is limited and in high season (April-May and July-August) sells out well in advance. If there is no accommodation available at Kingshouse for the requested date, we will arrange alternative accommodation in the villages of Glencoe or Ballachulish for the fifth night and will add a shuttle service to your booking.
DAY 6
Stage 6: Kingshouse → Kinlochleven
Difficulty: Medium 🟡
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Elevation gain: +1112 ft./ -1906 ft. (+339 m./-581 m.)
Lodging in: Kinlochleven
📸Highlights: Altnafeadh Cottage and Devil's Staircase
Stage 6 West Highland Way
You will leave Kingshouse following an old military road until you reach the Altnafeadh hut. From here, you will have a unique view of the weeping valley, the scene of the massacre of Glencoe in 1692.
From Altnafeadh you will zigzag up the Devil's Staircase to reach the highest point of Scotland's West Highland Way at 1797 feet (548 meters). Weather permitting, from here, you will have incredible views of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain at 4413 feet (1345 meters).
You will then descend following a path to the small village of Kinlochleven, which will mark the end of the sixth stage.
DAY 7
Stage 7: Kinlochleven → Fort William
Difficulty: High 🔴
Distance: 15 miles (24 km)
Elevation gain: +1654 ft./ -1670 ft. (+504 m./-509 m.)
Lodging in: Fort William
📸Highlight: Glen Nevis
Stage 7 West Highland Way
A steep climb marks the start of the seventh and final stage of the West Highland Way walking tour. From the top, you will follow the path through the valley towards Fort William.
A narrow, winding track through an area of cultivated woodland will take you to the Glen Nevis visitor center. Ahead of you will rise Ben Nevis again. For the last two miles, you will follow the Glen Nevis road, which will take you to the official end of the Scottish Highlands route on the main street of Fort William.
DAY 8
End of the West Highland Way in Fort William
Fort William
After breakfast at your hotel in Fort William, the West Highland Way walking tour will have come to an end.
💙 HOWLANDERS TIP
If your adventure continues to the city of Glasgow, from Howlanders, we recommend that you travel from Fort William to Glasgow by train following the West Highland Line. A 3h45min journey that connects both cities through the most iconic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.
What to bring to West Highland Way walking tour
Scotland's climate is very changeable and generally rainy, so it will be important to pack appropriate clothing. July and August tend to be the warmest months, with average temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius and highs of up to 20 degrees Celsius. If you are traveling in March or April, be aware that there may be some snow on the roads or even snow on the higher parts of the route. May is usually the month with the least chance of rain.
- Small backpack to carry with you during the route (recommended between 10 and 20 liters).
- Rain jacket to cover your backpack
- Backpack or suitcase to carry all your luggage (maximum 20 kilos).
- Raincoat
- Waterproof pants (recommended)
- Hiking boots (waterproof recommended)
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
- Hat or cap
- Refillable water bottle
- Mosquito repellent
- Comfortable hiking clothes
- Resting shoes for the lodges
- Gloves
- Waterproof jacket
- Personal hygiene products
- Cash money
Questions & Answers
How is a self-guided tour?
It is a route in which you do not have a guide and you will walk at your own pace. This self-guided tour is very easy to follow, since the paths are very well indicated and a map is provided explaining both the route and the areas where it takes place.
How does the baggage transfer work?
The luggage transfer service will pick up your suitcase or backpack every morning and take it to your assigned accommodation that day. You will only have to leave it in the reception area and they will take care of moving it to the next village. The weight of the suitcase is limited to 20 kg and only one suitcase/backpack per traveler.
If you are not staying in Milngavie the night before the tour starts, you can meet the luggage transfer service at the train station between 08.30 and 09.00 am.
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to do the West Highland Way Scotland with dogs, as many of the accommodations do not accept pets and several sections of the trail are closed to dogs as they are permitted trails through farmland.
Is the West Highland Way Scotland available all year round?
No, the West Highland Way is available from late March to mid-October. From Howlanders we recommend you to make your reservation as far in advance as possible, as it is a very popular route and the availability of accommodation sells out quickly. If you plan to travel in high season (April/May and July/August) we recommend booking at least 6 to 12 months in advance.
Can I walk the West Highland Way with children?
It is not possible to walk the West Highland Way with children under 12 years old. Remember that it is essential to be in good physical shape to be able to complete the 7 stages of the route totaling 154 km.
What is the weather like during the West Highland Way Scotland?
The weather you will encounter in the Scottish Highlands will generally be rainy. However, keep in mind that the weather in this area of Scotland is very changeable and you may encounter sun, rain, wind and even snow in the same day. It is therefore important that you pack the appropriate clothing in your backpack. July and August tend to be the warmest months, with average temperatures around 14 degrees Celsius and highs of up to 20 degrees Celsius. If you travel in March or April, be aware that there may be some snow on the roads or even snow on the higher parts of the route. May is usually the month with the least chance of rain.
Can I split stage 5 (Tyndrum → Kingshouse) into two stages?
Yes, the fifth stage of the West Highland Way Scotland is the hardest both for the distance covered and the accumulated positive and negative elevation gain and you can do it in two days if you prefer. You will walk from Tyndrum to Iveroran on the fifth day, and from Iveroran to Kingshouse on the sixth day and the tour will become 9 days. If you need to make this or any other changes to your booking, please contact us and we will help you customize your tour to your needs.
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