Getting there
- Flights to Glasgow (GLA) 10 km from the start
Treks / United Kingdom (Scotland)
West Highland Way
United Kingdom (Scotland) · Nearest city: Glasgow (also Fort William)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days5–10
Distance≈ 154 km
Climbing≈ 4,800 m
Highest point550 m
Scotland's most popular long-distance path, from Milngavie to Fort William. Long days on mostly good paths, with rain and midges as the main opponents.
Fitness
Moderate
Best seasonApril to October
High pointDevil's Staircase
Watch out: Rain gear and blister care matter more than hill fitness here. Midges peak in summer.
Why people choose it
It's the classic first long-distance walk: easy to reach from Glasgow, well waymarked, with pubs and B&Bs every night and the Highlands getting wilder every day.
What makes it different
- Starts in a city suburb and ends at the foot of Ben Nevis
- Crosses Rannoch Moor, one of Britain's last great wildernesses
- Wild camping is legal in most of Scotland
Day by day
The standard eight-day itinerary from Milngavie to Fort William. Distances are approximate and there are plenty of places to split or shorten stages.
-
Day1
Milngavie → Drymen
Farmland and the Campsie Fells. The Glengoyne distillery is a short detour.
Sleep: B&Bs and inns in Drymen
-
Day2
Drymen → RowardennanBest views
Your first view of Loch Lomond and its islands from the top of Conic Hill.
Sleep: Rowardennan hostel or hotel, Sallochy campsite
-
Day3
Rowardennan → Inverarnan
A rough, rooty path right along the loch. Slower than the distance suggests.
Sleep: Drovers Inn, Beinglas Farm campsite
-
Day4
Inverarnan → Tyndrum
Waterfalls in Glen Falloch and the first real Highland scenery.
Sleep: Hostels, B&Bs and campsite in Tyndrum
-
Day5
Tyndrum → KingshouseBest views
The crossing of Rannoch Moor ending under Buachaille Etive Mòr, the most photographed mountain in Scotland.
Sleep: Kingshouse Hotel, Bridge of Orchy
-
Day6
Kingshouse → Kinlochleven
The highest point of the route, with views back over Glencoe's peaks.
Sleep: Hostels and hotels in Kinlochleven
-
Day7
Kinlochleven → Fort William
An old military road through a remote glen, with Ben Nevis appearing near the end.
Sleep: Fort William
Where the best view is
Loch Lomond from Conic Hill on day 2, and the pyramid of Buachaille Etive Mòr as you reach Kingshouse on day 5.
Where to take a rest day
Tyndrum, after day 4, has shops, cafés and the famous Real Food Café. The short stage to Kinlochleven on day 6 also works as a lighter day.
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
EU 'roam like at home' doesn't apply in United Kingdom, and many plans charge extra there. A Europe data eSIM covers United Kingdom too.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is allowed in most of Scotland under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, but along the east shore of Loch Lomond you need a permit from March to September. Campsites are spread along the whole route.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (153.4 km) One colour per day Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Milngavie → Drymen → Rowardennan → Tyndrum → Kinlochleven → Fort William
Simple overview map
Step by step
-
Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: April to October.
-
6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
-
Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Glasgow.
-
On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
- You can carry a tent and camp where it's allowed, which saves money and gives more flexibility.
- See the day-by-day plan below for distances, high points and where to sleep.
-
The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: April to October
April to May
Spring
Often the driest time of year, with long days and fresh green hills. Can still be cold and windy on the tops.
Bring
- Warm layer and hat
- Waterproof jacket
- Gloves for high ground
June to August
Summer
Longest days and warmest weather, but also rain showers, busier trails and, in Scotland, midges.
Bring
- Midge head net and repellent in Scotland
- Waterproofs, always
- Book accommodation early
September to October
Autumn
Fewer people and beautiful colours, but wetter, windier weather and shorter days.
Bring
- Full waterproofs, jacket and trousers
- Headlamp
- Waterproof boots
Be ready for
Rain
Plan for rain on most days. A proper waterproof jacket, a pack liner and quick-dry clothes keep you comfortable.
Midges
Scottish midges swarm on calm, damp days from June to September. A head net and repellent are essential.
Long days
Expect 7–10 hour days. Start early, eat little and often, and know your turnaround time.
What you'll see
9 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the West Highland Way
Photo credits: WHW Rannoch-Moor by Mogens Engelund, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Buachaille Etive Mor by Doug Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Milngavie-Center by MartinThoma, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Inverarnan, Wooded area by the River Falloch - geograph.org.uk by Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Lochan Mhic Pheadair Ruaidh from the West Highland Way - geograph.org.uk by Iain Lees, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Towards the Mamore Forest from the top of the West Highland Way - geograph.org.uk by Richard Law, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Semegen Animals - Sarah Semegen by University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability from Ann Arbor, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Bridge across the River Falloch - geograph.org.uk by Alan Walker, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Shoreline of Loch Lomond, towards Rowardennan Youth Hostel - geograph.org.uk by Peter S, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
.jpg){kind=link}
