This 10-day self-guided walking tour leads you along the iconic West Highland Way long distance national trail, from Milngavie to Fort William. Covering a total of 154km, you’ll enjoy a huge variety of scenery, from the pastoral landscapes of the Campsies, to the shores of Loch Lomond and the awe-inspiring expanse of Rannoch Moor. Starting relatively gently in the South, the trail will gradually prepare you for the more demanding Northern stages.
10 days, zero-hassle and all this included:
- 8 days self-guided hiking with gpx route maps provided
- 9 nights accommodation in a range of good quality hotels, guesthouses and one hostel
- breakfast each day
- luggage transfers each day
- starts in Glasgow for easy access
- rail transfer from Glasgow to the trailhead at Milngavie
- handy mobile app to keep every trip detail at your fingertips
- 24/7 telephone support during your adventure
- 1 native tree planted in our woodland
Plus flexible booking terms as part of our Adventure Promise, including instalment payments to spread the cost of your adventure.
See the full itinerary in the tab above.
For adventurers who:
Are experienced walkers or willing to train for multiple days of walking. The walks are moderately challenging and can take you over difficult paths. Expect undulating paths on the early stages, with the mid & later stages including significant ascents and descents
Perfect for couples, friends and solo hikers
Day 1
Arrive into Glasgow to check into your Victorian Guest House. Take the opportunity to explore the sights of the city, including Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis. If you are a fan of art, the Kelingrove Art Gallery & Museum and a visit to see the city’s famous street art is a must.
Within walking distance of your accommodation there are a number of different options for your evening meal. Tuck into a tasty dinner before getting a good night of rest, ahead of your first day of walking.
Day 2: Milngavie to Drymen (19km | 240m)
Rise and shine! Fuel up with a hearty breakfast, lace up your boots and do a last kit check. Leaving the comfort of the guest house behind, take the train from Glasgow to Milngavie town centre. Drop your bags off for onward transfer to Drymen and stock up on last-minute supplies before setting off on the first leg of your West Highland Way adventure.
Today is a relatively flat introduction to the trail, passing by small lochs and rivers as the views begin to open up and reveal the Highland landscape beyond Drymen.
Arrive in Drymen where your first day on the West Highland Way finishes. Check into your cosy guest house and enjoy a well deserved rest.
Day 3: Drymen to Rowardennan (23km | 600m)
Today you head onwards and upwards, getting your first taste of the incredible Highland landscape as you climb to the summit of Conic Hill. Far below is the world-famous Loch Lomond and its chain of islands that mark the Highland boundary fault.
From here the route descends into the village of Balmaha, the perfect place to pause for lunch or learn about the area in the National Park Visitor Centre. As you continue along the shores of Loch Lomond, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for Ospreys hunting above the water.
Your walk today concludes in Rowardennan. This evening you will spend the night at a comfortable hostel, set in an idyllic location right on the banks of Loch Lomond. Enjoy the panoramic views across the Loch, before heading to bed.
Day 4: Rowardennan to Inverarnan (22km | 460m)
As you set off today, energised by a hearty breakfast, you’ll continue along the more remote northern end of Loch Lomond. The terrain is wild and challenging, but it’s worth it for the reward of experiencing this incredible wilderness. Marvel at the spectacular waterfall at Inversnaid, plunging into Loch Lomond, as you cross the footbridge.
There is plenty of wildlife to watch for as you walk today, from the local wild goats to more Ospreys and even the magnificent Golden Eagle. The RSPB centre at Inversnaid is perfect for finding out more about these impressive birds of prey.
Your walk today ends in the village of Inverarnan where you will spend the night. Your Inn accommodation serves traditional hearty Scottish fare in the bar & dining rooms. Treat yourself to some pub grub before calling it a night.
Day 5: Inverarnan to Tyndrum (20km | 546m)
Prepare yourself for a combination of gentle glen walks and soaring mountains today. As you continue along the River Falloch you will glimpse the famous Falls of Falloch, before reaching Crianlarich and the half way point of today’s walk. A small detour will take you into the village for refreshments, otherwise enjoy a picnic and continue along the way-marked trail, following the River Fillan along the valley. Keep your eyes peeled for St Fillan’s Priory and graveyard, before joining the River Cononish and heading into Tyndrum, your overnight location.
Optional: If you would like a (well earned!) rest day. Simply let us know and we can add an extra night in Tyndrum. From here a day trip to Oban is a wonderful way to spend a rest day and explore the seafood capital of Scotland!
Day 6: Tyndrum to Inveroran (15km | 287m)
Take the opportunity to replenish your supplies this morning, there are no more shops until you reach Kinlochleven in 3 days time.
Continuing northwards you’ll see the recogniseable pyramid of Beinn Dorain ahead as you skirt along the steep sides of Beinn Odhar. Continue along the glen, looking out for the Allt Kinglass Viaduct to your right before you reach the Bridge of Orchy.
After a short gentle descent, the West Highland Way joins the Old Military Road, with a short climb up the hill rewarding you with a dramatic viewpoint across Loch Tulla and the Black Mount.
Your overnight stop is in Inveroran. Celebrate passing the halfway mark with a drink at your hotel, overlooking the river.
Day 7: Inveroran to Kingshouse (16km | 362m)
As you set off along the Old Military Road this morning, the remote Rannoch Moor beckons ahead. This is a wild and remote section of the West Highland Way with a lot of exposure. Ensure you are well kitted out for all kinds of weather and be prepared for tough going if the weather is inclement. The ruins of Ba Cottage lie just over halfway along today’s route – perfect for a picnic lunch stop and providing a little shelter if needed.
As you pass the Glencoe Ski Centre, one of Scotland’s most photographed mountains, Buachaille Etive Mor, comes into view. Your rest stop for the night is just a little further on at Kingshouse, where you can relax for the evening in a stylish boutique hotel.
Day 8: Kingshouse to Kinlocheven (15km | 380m)
Today’s walk heads out from Kingshouse and into one of the most iconic areas of the Highlands. The Buachaille Etive Mor, one of Scotland’s most famous Munros, dominates the scene, sitting at the entrance to Glen Etive on the left and the scene of the James Bond film Skyfall. To the right is the historic Glen Coe, and the scene of the massacre of Clan MacDonald in 1692.
The switchback climb of the Devil’s Staircase will take you up to the highest point of the West Highland Way at 550m. Marked by a cairn, the views back to Buachaille Etive Mor and northwards towards the Mamores mountain range are breathtaking.
The remainder of the route flattens out for a while across moorland, before descending into Kinlochleven, your resting place for tonight at a comfortable guesthouse.
Day 9: Kinlocheven to Fort William (23km | 648m)
Fuel up with a decent breakfast as the final leg of your long distance adventure is both long and steep. Be prepared for a big ascent as you make your way out of Kinlochleven, before the path flattens a little and provides superb views back along Loch Leven.
Enjoy a section of easy walking between imposing mountains along the Great Pass, Lairigmor, continuing on into the woodlands before Glen Nevis. From here Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, comes into view and you begin your last descent into the final destination of the West Highland Way, Fort William.
Celebrate your epic achievement with a well-earned drink and a hearty meal in one of the town’s many pubs.
Day 10
After breakfast it’s time to depart, still buzzing (and possibly aching) from your impressive achievement of completing the iconic West Highland Way!
If you require assistance with onward travel or accommodation to extend your time in Scotland, or a return rail transfer to Glasgow, please let us know when you enquire about dates. We’ll be happy to help with any additional arrangements you need.
What’s included
- 8 days self-guided hiking with gpx route maps provided
- 9 nights accommodation in a range of good quality hotels, guesthouses & one hostel
- breakfast each day
- luggage transfers each day
- starts in Glasgow for easy access
- private transfer from Glasgow to the trailhead at Milngavie
- rail travel from Fort William back to Glasgow
- handy mobile app to keep every trip detail at your fingertips
- 24/7 telephone support during your adventure
- 1 native tree planted in our woodland
Supercharge your trip
- Private room – this trip is based on a 2-person booking in a shared room. We can usually accommodate requests for private rooms, please check when you enquire about dates
- The West Highland Way is no easy feat! If you would like to add in a rest day mid trip, simply let us know and we can arrange an additional night in Tyndrum from where you can enjoy a rail trip to Oban
What you need to bring
- Comfortable waterproof walking boots or shoes
- Walking socks
- Waterproof jacket & trousers
- Walking poles (optional)
- Warm layers for walking
- Warm hat and gloves
- Suncream
- Head torch
- Small first aid & blister kit
- Day backpack – to carry hydration, lunch, snacks and spare clothing
- Portable battery charger – to keep your phone powered for navigation
What you need to know
- Dates are booked to suit you – please use the enquiry form to request availability of your preferred dates
- Enjoy the reassurance of flexible booking terms, part of our Adventure Promise
- Spread the cost of your adventure with instalment payments
- Check in is from 15:00 on your arrival day
- Suitable for age 16+ years (accompanied by a parent or guardian)
- Expect to be out walking for 5-6 hours per day
- This is your adventure and you’re in control – if you’d like any additional experiences or an extended stay, simply let us know when you submit your enquiry
- We’ll manage all the bookings and arrangements to make your experience perfect
Getting here
By Air
- The closest international airport to the start point is Glasgow Airport
- It is approximately a 40-minute journey by Airport Bus and train or a 20 minute taxi journey from the Airport to your trip start point
By Rail
- The closest train station to the trip start point is Bellgrove Station
- It is approximately a 5 minute walk from Bellgrove Station to your trip start point
By Road
- The trip start point in Glasgow is located less than 30 minutes from the M8 and less than 20 minutes from the M74
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