More about the route
It is important to be in good shape to cope with the West Highland Way. The ascents are usually not a problem, but the long stages can be strenuous. The route is well maintained and the signage on the route is perfect.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the trip.
The city is pronounced "Mull'guy" and is located about 60km (37 mi) north of Glasgow. Depending on when you arrive, you can explore the city's pedestrian streets and, if needed, take care of the last provision before the hike.
Hotel Example: Hotel Premier Inn Milngavie
Today's walk takes you outside the city through a quiet forest area towards the highlands. On the way to Drymen you will pass the Glengoyne distillery, where we recommend that you take a break, taste a little whiskey and learn how to make this Scottish specialty. Drymen is the last major city you'll be in for quite some time.
Hotel Example: Bed & Breakfast Ashbank
You set out to climb "Conic Hill" from where you can enjoy the view of Loch Lomond - Scotland's largest lake. The trip down brings you to Balmaha, after which civilization ceases for a few kilometers. The lake's eastern shore has only small paths and the walk is pure poetry for the soul.
Hotel Example: Hotel Rowardennan
This is one of the finest stages along the West Highland Way. You walk along forest roads to the waterfall at Inversnaid. Then the path turns idyllically along the lake shore. Up, down, right and left - the walk is both idyllic and varied with views to small islands. Along the way, the path brings you past Rob Roy's last hiding place.
Hotel Example: Hotel Ardlui
After having walked up and down a lot during the last couple of days, now you get a lovely day without the big climbs. The West Highland Way sets off with a slow rise from Inverarnan until you pass Crianlarich. From here you can see the peaks of Ben More and Stob Binnean and the view of Loch Lomond. You continue through the quiet forests to Tyndrum.
Hotel Example: B&B Glenardran House
Today you will once again experience a fantasticly beautiful landscape. A slightly longer rise awaits you just after the village Bridge of Orchy. Then you follow old military roads that lead you along small forest areas to the hotel in Inveroran - which is extremely remote in the Scottish Highlands.
Hotel Example: Hotel Bridge of Orchy
An old military road takes you past countless deep black lakes. Today's goal is Kingshouse, a former trading station in the middle of the highlands. On the way you also pass a small ski resort.
Hotel Example: Hotel Kingshouse
During this day's hike, you walk past Scotland's most impressive mountain peak - Buachaille Etive Mòr - after which you reach the "Devil's Staircase". It were the soldiers, who were forced to walk along the winding path, who named it back in the day.
The tour takes you down a small valley from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of the surrounding peaks. The small village of Kinlochleven offers the first sign of civilization after a few days in the pristine highlands.
Hotel Example: B&B Edencoille
Today's long walk is the final stage of the trip along the West Highland Way. You follow another ancient military road that leads you to a plateau. You walk through quiet forests and past the ruins of an ancient fort until Ben Nevis appears. The walk to the small town of Fort William completes the hike along the West Highland Way.
Hotel Example: Guest House Myrtle Bank
This is the last day of the trip. You leave the hotel and go home or to your next destintion. It is also possible to get an extra night here if you wish.
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
Price includes
- 9 nights at 3-star hotels and small Bed & Breakfasts in double rooms
- Breakfast every day
- Thoroughly prepared route material
- Luggage transport between the accommodations
- Guided tour of the Glengoyne distillery incl. tasting
- Possibility of GPX files for use in your own GPS
- Service hotline during the trip
- Access to the route in our GPS-app which works offline while you walk
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Singleroom
- Transportation to/from the destination
- Cancellation- and travel insurance
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. It is also possible travel alone in a single room. Simply choose "1 person" in the booking form and it will automatically add the single room surcharge.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Glasgow or Edinburgh are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
On this trip you spend the night both at 3-star hotels and at small Bed & Breakfast places in the small towns.
Breakfast is included every day. It is possible to buy lunch and dinner in the small towns along the route.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 20kg each.
This trip has a difficulty level of 3-4, which means that most hiking days on the tour are level 3 and a few are level 4.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Grade 4
Demanding hiking with daily marches of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain at higher altitudes. There can be longer ascents of up to 1,000 meters. Requires good physical condition, endurance, and knees and ankles capable of enduring prolonged descents. You need to be in good health and preferably have hiking experience. Requires good hiking boots and regular outdoor clothing. There can be significant temperature differences.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"