Our approach to the West Highland Way
We follow the official West Highland Way route from Milngavie to Fort William. You’ll set off from a small town at the Northern edge of Glasgow, passing through rolling terrain on the way to Loch Lomond. You’ll then climb Conic Hill and descend into Balmaha on the shore. On the next stage you follow the loch for a long stretch, later walking inland to Crianlarich. Once you reach Strath Fillan at Tyndrum, you’ll notice that the Highlands really start to show themselves. Trek to Bridge of Orchy and beyond as it crosses the edge of wild Rannoch Moor. Our favourite stage is walking to Kingshouse and over the Devil’s Staircase to Kinlochleven. This part reveals some of the best views of the route, as you look out onto a still-distant Ben Nevis over the Mamores. For the final stage, you’ll ascend a high valley and drop down through trees to Glen Nevis and Fort William.
Latest
research on the West Highland Way by Alpine Exploratory’s
Evie
The Terrain
The walking is excellent underfoot. Enjoy the mix of old military tracks over the Highland moors, solid narrow paths in forests, and lochside trails. A few short sections are rockier and twistier, most noticeably between Inversnaid and Inverarnan, on the banks of Loch Lomond. The route does not climb any mountains apart from (optionally) Conic Hill at 360m; instead it meanders amongst the feet of the higher hills (3,000ft and over) known as the Scottish Munros. The sharpest and highest climb of the West Highland Way comes on the crossing of the pass between Glencoe and Kinlochleven towards the end of the trip, but there is no great difficulty.
Is it for me?
The West Highland Way is a long-distance trail, suited to most walkers. Being just 20 minutes away from Glasgow the start point is easily accessible to all. The route eases you in gently, as you leave the lowlands behind to enter the wild Highlands.
The route is well marked and maintained throughout. For the first half of the trip, until Tyndrum, the route never strays too far from the road. After Tyndrum the route becomes a little wilder, and over Rannoch Moor the route can feel quite remote. The landscape should be treated as wild terrain in which you will need to be self-reliant. We strongly recommended that you know how to navigate with a map and compass.
Difficulty
The West Highland Way is a great introduction for walkers new to long distance trails. It’s not technically difficult and, taking the standard stopping points, none of the days are exceptionally long. The going is generally flat, especially when compared to Alpine walking, with only a couple of sections which reach over 300m.
We describe alternatives to vary the level of the walk a little. Some of the hardest sections along Loch Lomond between Rowardennen to Inversnaid can be avoided by an alternative high path. Or for walkers up for a challenge, the West Highland Way lends itself to further exploration of the Highlands and the Munros. (Please ask us to book you extra nights to climb Ben Lomond or Ben Nevis). While your routecards make up the walking for the trip, you are of course free to walk wherever you choose, taking side trips or going by a different route of your own choice. Please note that if you follow your own route you will have left the holiday for the duration.
West Highland Way Walking Guide – for more background
The making of our West Highland Way – our story
Hebridean Way – 12 stages, 13 nights
