Trek the Scottish Highlands via the West Highland Way

Hikers seeking intense physical challenge and an opportunity to soak in a visual feast of pastures (moors), lakes (lochs), streams (allts), valleys (glens), and mountains (Munros) will find plenty to appreciate on the West Highland Way.

The trek is typically done as a point-to-point journey, using Milngavie, Scotland as the beginning, southern trailhead and Fort William, Scotland as the ending, northern trailhead.  This northbound route provides for a gentle start, saving the most demanding sections for later in the itinerary after legs and lungs are acclimated.  There are options from many places along the route for trekkers to exit via taxi, bus, or train if required, allowing sections of the route to be skipped in case of bad weather, unsafe trail conditions, time constraints, or injury/illness/fitness.

The traditional 96-mile / 10,351’ gain itinerary uses established, well-marked, heavily-traveled trails.  Several sections of the itinerary offer “high route” alternatives that utilize the same overnight stops as the traditional “low route” itinerary, but head high up into the mountains above the traditional path during the day.  They are unmarked, off-trail / primitive boot paths, require route-finding expertise, and result in a 112-mile / 27,750’ gain itinerary.  Adding an ascent of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain, to the end of the trip adds 10.1 miles and 4,382’ gain to the itinerary.

An array of lodging, dining, and provisioning opportunities exist along the route, from small guesthouses and B&B’s – offering simple, hearty meals – to hotels, restaurants, and boutiques in communities such as Milngavie, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven, and Fort William.

Outfitter / Guide Service:

Using an outfitter or guide service is not necessary when trekking the West Highland Way.  The route’s trails are well-maintained, well-marked, and easily accessed via the region’s public transit network.  Food, lodging, and provisioning opportunities abound.  Guesthouses, B&B’s, and hotels offer web-based booking.  There is no need for tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, stoves, fuel, or cookware.

That said, there is tremendous value in using a booking agent for reserving accommodations.  Booking agents have established relationships with guesthouses, B&B’s, and hotels, and are adept at tweaking itineraries when one or more accommodations in this very popular region are unavailable.

Trekkers preferring easier, higher-service, and/or shorter itinerary options – including daily luggage transfers and certified mountain guides – can select from a multitude of outfitters who offer supported West Highland Way treks.

Getting there:

The main gateways to/from the West Highland Way are Milngavie, Scotland and Fort William, Scotland.  Frequent bus + rail service connects the airport in Glasgow (GLA) to Milngavie – travel time of 1 hour.  Frequent rail + bus service connects Fort William to the airport in Glasgow (GLA) – travel time of 5 hours.  Multiple airlines offer daily service between Glasgow (GLA) and cities across North America and Europe.

• Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Day Hiking, Global Adventures
• Seasons: May, June, July, August, September, October
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Very Strenuous

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 14
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 14