Day 1 - Arrival in Milngavie

We usually stay in Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, so that we can begin our day on foot without needing to take any transfers. We normally hold a briefing in the hotel at 6pm so that you can meet the leader and find out more about the trip.

 

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

​

Day 2 - Trek from Milngavie to Drymen

We begin our trip at the official starting point for the West Highland Way; the granite obelisk in Milngavie (pronounced Mull-guy). It doesn't take long to leave the town centre and enter Mugdock Country Park, through rural farmland on good quality paths. We definitely recommend a stop at Glengoyne Distillery - our first chance to take a tour and enjoy a wee dram of whisky! We then take a short detour from the route in order to stay in good accommodation in Drymen.

 

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 6-7 hours

Distance: 19km (12 miles)

 

Day 3 - Trek from Drymen to Rowardennan

Today we rejoin the route and begin the steep climb up Conic Hill. It is well worth the effort, as on a clear day the views over Loch Lomond are absolutely stunning. Loch Lomond is the largest body of freshwater in Britain. We then descend to Balmaha, and follow a woodland path along the banks of Loch Lomond - this section is deceptively tough, as it's a fairly long day and the path is most definitely not flat, as one might expect from a loch-side trail!

​

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8 hours

Distance: 24km (15 miles)

 

Day 4 - Trek from Rowardennan to Inverarnan

Our journey along Loch Lomond continues, and the terrain is fairly hard-going at first, but we are well-rewarded with great views over the loch and to the distant peaks of the Arrochar Alps. We enter the Inversnaid Nature Reserve (an RSPB site), then pass close to Rob Roy's cave. We'll pay a visit to the world-famous Drovers Inn, with a fantastic selection of beers and whiskies and an interesting collection of stuffed animals and birds.

​

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 8 hours

Distance: 22.5km (14 miles)

​

Day 5 - Trek from Inverarnan to Tyndrum

Much of today is spent on an old military road so the going is slightly easier than we've been used to over the last couple of days. We are now approaching the Highlands, with the mountains of Ben More and Stob Binnean providing a marvellous view before us - and as we climb higher above the loch once more, the views behind us to Loch Lomond just get better and better. The remainder of the day continues with undulating terrain, but on good quality paths and tracks, until we reach Tyndrum.

​

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 7-8 hours

Distance: 19km (12 miles)

​

Day 6 - Trek from Tyndrum to Kingshouse

We have an early start this morning as today is the longest day of the trip. We follow the old military road all the way to Bridge of Orchy, from where a steep climb takes us up to some of the most wonderful scenery in Scotland. Next we cross Rannoch Moor, one of the wildest and most exposed moors in Britain, before descending to the 17th Century Kings House. The hotel at Kingshouse is being renovated during the 2018 season, so we will transfer to either Glencoe or Kinlochleven for the night.

​

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 9-10 hours

Distance: 30km (19 miles)

 

Day 7 - Trek from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

In the morning we will transfer back to Kingshouse to resume our walk. Another military road takes us to Altnafeadh, from where we can see the site of the Glencoe Massacre in 1692. Next we tackle the Devil's staircase; the highest point on the West Highland Way, with a gorgeous view of Ben Nevis. From here we wind our way down to the idyllic village of Kinlochleven.

​

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

Walking: Approx 5-6 hours

Distance: 14km (9 miles)

​

Day 8 - Trek from Kinlochleven to Fort William

We still have one more high point left on our final day, so we begin our day with a climb up to the Lairigmor (330m), but the gradient is not steep. Surrounded by high mountains on both sides, the views are stunning. Our final leg into Fort William descends through the forests of Glen Nevis, with Ben Nevis visible through the breaks in the trees. Our final 2 kilometres are along the Glen Nevis road.

​

Accommodation: B&B/Guest House/Hotel

Luggage access

​

 

Day 9 - Departure day

Our trip finishes after breakfast.

​