Walking the West Highland Way is the perfect introduction to the endless beauty of Scotland‘s rugged highlands, while also being surprisingly easy to access. The 96-mile trail starts off at the small town of Milngavie (Mul-guy) – just outside Glasgow – and gets progressively wilder and more remote as you make your way north towards Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis.
The West Highland Way Route
This iconic long-distance trail passes through some beautiful areas of the both the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands such as Glencoe and Bridge of Orchy. You’ll walk though dappled woodlands and exposed mountain passes, past picturesque lochs and over moorlands. There are several options for walking the West Highland Way. Most people opt for South to North, but some choose to do the walk in reverse from North to South. You can carry tents with you and camp, or do what we did and stay in local BnBs along the route (make sure to book in advance) – also a great option for trying out some local food!
How Long Does it Take to Walk the West Highland Way
We chose to do the 96 miles in 5 days, but that was pretty intense and if I did it again I’d maybe add in an extra night somewhere. If you’re on a longer holiday it could be nice to spend more than one night at some of the stopping points. If you’re pressed for time you can choose to walk just one section.
Is Walking the West Highland Way Difficult?
You do need to be in decent shape to walk the West Highland Way, but it is a beginner trek. Walking the West Highland Way does not require any technical knowledge. You can choose to either carry a backpack or opt to have your luggage transferred between stops and just carry a day bag.
Navigating the West Highland Way
The West Highland Way route is generally easy to follow. I do recommend packing a physical map and also downloading a route map – Maps.me is good for offline maps. You’ll also likely meet other walkers along the way.
5-Day Itinerary for walking the West Highland Way, Scotland
Day 1: Milngavie to Balmaha (18.5 miles/29.75 km)
The starting point for the West Highland Way is Milngavie. You can get here easily from Glasgow. There is a marker in the town centre to mark the start of your trek. The route from Milngavie to Balmaha is probably the easiest section of the West Highland Way, so it makes a good warm up. You will walk across rolling farmlands and quiet woodlands. You can choose to stop in at the Glengoyne distillery. Balmaha is a pretty village on the shore of Loch Lomond. Alternatively, you can stay in Drymen and walk slightly further the next day.
Day 2: Balmaha to Inversnaid (21.5 miles/34.5 km)
The route from Balmaha follows the shore of Loch Lomond. Don’t be deceived by the low elevation, the waterside paths along this part of the route can be quite tiring as there are tree roots and rocks to contend with. The track can be slippery too. You’ll know when you’re almost at Inversnaid once you reach the waterfall. The Inversnaid Bunkhouse is a popular place to stay and is know for delicious meals.
It’s possible to split this part of the route and spend a night at Rowardennan.
Day 3: Inversnaid to Bridge of Orchy (22.5 miles/36 km)
We walked the West Highland Way in May and this part of the route was covered in bluebells. The landscapes will gradually change along this part of the route, becoming more hilly as you approach the Highlands. Once you’ve passed Tyndrum it will start to feel more wild and rugged as Rannoch Moor stretches out ahead of you.
Day 4: Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven (18.5 miles/29.75 km)
The climbs become more vigorous but the dramatic views are absolutely stunning with Buachaille Etive Mรฒr looming in the distance. Stop off at the historical Kingshouse Hotel & Bunkhouse for lunch – their lounge has sweeping views of the glen. Then comes Devilโs Staircase, which sounds worse than it is! And the panoramic view from the top over Glen Coe is really special. The rest of the route is mainly downhill to Kinlochleven. This was my favourite day of the entire trek.
Day 5: Kinlochleven to Fort William (15 miles/24 km)
The last day was the shortest we hiked but it felt the hardest! There is a steep ascent from Kinlochleven but the latter half of the day is mainly downhill – which I find harder on my thigh muscles! Eventually you will reach a gravel road and finally see Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain. This is your sign that you’re almost at Fort William. The official end point of the West Highland way is in the centre of town and there is an archway where you can take a victory photo!
Practical Guidance for the West Highland Way
What is the best time of year to do the West Highland Way?
The best time of year for most people to walk the West Highland Way is between April and October. Spring is a beautiful time to walk the West Highland Way as parts of the route will be carpeted in wildflowers. Summer is a bit warmer – maybe even warm enough for a dip in Loch Lomond! Note that accommodation will be busier during the Easter and Summer holidays. The weather in Scotland is variable and it can rain at any time of year.
Where does the West Highland Way Start?
If you want to walk the full West Highland Way route you’ll need to start in either Milngavie (South to North) or Fort William (North to South).
Transport to and from the West Highland Way
Milngavie is very close to Glasgow airport and you can take an Uber or you can catch the airport shuttle bus into Glasgow city centre and then a train. Trains run from Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central stations to Milngavie every 15 minutes. The journey only takes about 20 minutes and does not cost much.
Fort William is on the train line so you can catch a train back to Glasgow or all the way down to London. The Caledonian Sleeper is a night train to London. There are also buses from Fort William to Glasgow.
How Long is the West Highland Way?
The West Highland Way is 96 miles (154km). The rugged terrain may make it feel like further!
How Long Does the West Highland Way Take?
This will depend on how much time you have available and your level of fitness. I’d recommend 5-7 days, or longer if you’d like some rest days to explore more.
Can You Cycle the West Highland Way?
It is possible to cycle the West Highland Way but note that the route was designed for walkers. There will be sections where cyclists need to dismount and carry their bikes. It’s best to use a bike designed for off-road cycling.
Practical Guidance for Scotland
Money in Scotland (UK): (GBP)
If youโre visiting Scotland youโll need British Pound Sterling (GBP). To get GBP at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into GBP (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then spend on your Wise card as though it were a local bank card or withdraw cash in Scotland without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Get your WISE card here.
Travel Insurance
Make sure that you have travel insurance to cover you for your trip. I can highly recommend Heymondo. I use them to cover me for all my trips and their app is very easy to use.
Purchase Heymondo travel insurance here.
Read my other posts about Scotland here.
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