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Walking the West Highland Way?
You're not the only one.
Scotland's most popular long-distance trail brings walkers together from all over. See who's walking it at the same time as you.
The Drymen Inn, Drymen
The But n Ben, Croftamie
Bank Street Lodge, Fort William
Braeside House, Fort William
The West Highland Way: Embark on an epic 96-mile (154 km) journey through the heart of Scotland, from the charming town of Milngavie to the majestic Fort William. This iconic long-distance trail promises adventure, breathtaking vistas, and a deep connection with nature.
Before You Set Off
If you are planning to take on the West Highland Way, it’s worth making sure you’re properly prepared for the conditions ahead. The West Highland Way can bring everything from warm sunshine to sudden downpours, often in the same day. A comfortable pair of walking boots will help you handle the varied terrain, while a reliable waterproof jacket is essential for Scotland’s unpredictable weather. A well-fitted backpack will also make a big difference over longer distances, helping you carry everything you need with ease.
STAGE 1:
MILNGAVIE to DRYMEN
(19km/12m)
Stage 1: Milngavie to Drymen (19 km / 12 miles) Begin your odyssey at a granite obelisk in Milngavie’s town center. The path gently winds through Mugdock Country Park, where ancient trees whisper secrets and small rivers play hide-and-seek. As you traverse between the Campsie Fells and the serene Blane Water, the landscape unfolds like a well-worn map. Arriving in Drymen, a village perched on a ridge, you’ll find a picturesque square and a sense of anticipation.
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 2:
DRYMEN TO Rowardennan
(22.5 KM/14 MILES)
Stage 2: Drymen to Rowardennan (22.5 km / 14 miles) Conic Hill looms ahead, a gateway between the Highlands and Lowlands. The ascent is steep, but the reward is a panoramic canvas: Loch Lomond sprawls below, its azure waters stretching into infinity. Descending into Balmaha, you’ll tread a path that dances between the loch’s edge and ancient woodlands. Beware—it’s deceptively challenging, with short, sharp climbs. Yet the forest’s embrace and glimpses of distant peaks make every step worthwhile. Rowardennan, your haven for the night, also beckons intrepid souls to climb Ben Lomond.
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 3:
Rowardennan TO INVERARNAN
(22.5km/14m)
Stage 3: Rowardennan to Inverarnan (22.5 km / 14 miles) Undulating terrain tests your mettle today. Leaving Rowardennan, follow forestry roads that ascend above Loch Lomond. The vista unfolds—a patchwork of water, mountains, and the rugged Arrochar Alps. Inversnaid awaits, its narrow, rocky path leading to a breathtaking bridge and cascading waterfall. Here, wild goats roam, and birds of prey ride the wind. Rob Roy’s Cave whispers tales of old. The final leg, with its ups and downs, culminates at the renowned Drovers Inn in Inverarnan—a well-deserved respite.
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 4:
INVERARNAN to TYNDRUM
(19.5km/12m)
Stage 4: Inverarnan to Tyndrum (19.5 km / 12 miles) As the landscape shifts, your legs find solace. Glen Falloch cradles you, glimpses of the Falls of Falloch teasing your senses. Ben More and Stob Binnean stand sentinel against the sky. Through quiet woodlands and across the valley floor, you journey toward Tyndrum. The ruins of St Fillan’s Priory whisper ancient prayers, and the river sings your arrival.
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 5:
TYNDRUM to INVERORAN
(14.5km/9m)
Stage 5: Tyndrum to Inveroran (14.5 km / 9 miles)
As you continue along the West Highland Way, the rugged beauty of the Highland landscape unfolds before you. The old military roads underfoot lead you deeper into the heart of nature, allowing your legs to find their rhythm. Tyndrum fades behind you, and the imposing silhouette of Beinn Dorain beckons from the horizon—a sentinel watching over your journey.
Descending into the quaint hamlet of Bridge of Orchy, the railway station stands as a testament to both history and connectivity. Glen Orchy stretches out, its contours softened by time and weather. But it’s the ascent that steals your breath away: a steep climb that reveals panoramic vistas across Loch Tulla and the majestic Black Mount. Each step carries you closer to the mountains, and with every stride, you become part of this timeless Highland tale. 🏞️🚶♂️✨
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 6:
INVERORAN to KINGSHOUSE
(16km/10m)
Stage 6: Inveroran to Kingshouse (16 km / 10 miles)
Welcome to the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands! 🏞️ This section of the walk takes you through remote terrain, where nature reigns supreme. Let’s dive into the details:
Inveroran to Loch Tulla: The trail winds around Loch Tulla, its waters reflecting the surrounding hills. Keep an eye out for wildlife—perhaps a red deer or a soaring golden eagle.
Rannoch Moor: As you ascend onto Rannoch Moor, you’ll feel the ancient whispers of the land. This vast expanse was once buried beneath an icecap during the last Ice Age. The moor stretches out, wild and untamed, with heather, bog cotton, and the occasional lonely tree dotting the landscape.
Ba Bridge: Pause at Ba Bridge, where the elements play their symphony. If the weather cooperates, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the moor. Imagine the ghosts of travelers who crossed this bridge centuries ago.
Glencoe Ski Centre: The path leads past the Glencoe Ski Centre, a contrast of modernity against the timeless backdrop. In winter, skiers carve down the slopes; in summer, the slopes rest, waiting for snow.
Buachaille Etive Mor: Behold the majestic Buachaille Etive Mor—the “Great Herdsman of Etive.” Its pyramid-like peak stands sentinel over Glen Coe. Legends swirl around this Munro, and it has witnessed countless sunrises and storms. Remember James Bond’s daring escape in “Skyfall”? That was here.
So lace up your boots, breathe in the Highland air, and let the landscape tell its tales. 🌄🥾✨
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 7:
KINGSHOUSE TO KINLOCHLEVEN
(14.5km/9m)
Stage 7: Kingshouse to Kinlochleven (14.5 km / 9 miles)
Embark on a captivating journey from Kingshouse as you trace the ancient military road toward Altnafeadh. Along the way, catch glimpses of The Buachaille, its rugged silhouette etched against the sky, and soak in the haunting beauty of Glen Coe—a place steeped in history, where the echoes of the Glencoe Massacre still resonate from centuries past.
But the adventure truly unfolds when you make a sharp right turn, ascending the zig-zag path known as the Devil’s Staircase. As you climb, the landscape transforms—the air thinning, the views expanding. At 550 meters, you’ll reach the pinnacle of the West Highland Way, marked by a weathered cairn. On clear days, the panorama stretches toward Ben Nevis, Scotland’s majestic peak, while behind you, Buachaille Etive Mor stands sentinel against the horizon.
From this lofty vantage point, begin your descent—a gradual retreat from the heights. Across moorland and through the very fabric of nature, you’ll find yourself drawn inexorably toward the charming town of Kinlochleven. Here, nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Highlands, your journey takes on a new rhythm—one of quiet streets, friendly faces, and the promise of rest.
ACCOMMODATION | CAMPING | SHOPS | FOOD & DRINK
STAGE 8:
KINLOCHLEVEN to FORT WILLIAM
(24km/16m)
Stage 8: Kinlochleven to Fort William (24 km / 16 miles)
The eighth and final section of the West Highland Way takes you from Kinlochleven to Fort William, covering approximately 23.6 kilometers with an ascent of 615 meters. Here are some highlights of this scenic route:
Kinlochleven to Glen Nevis:
Begin with a steep climb out of Kinlochleven, rewarded by stunning views over Loch Leven.
Follow a narrow, easy track through a remote valley and pretty forest.
Glen Nevis lies ahead, with the majestic Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest mountain at 1,345 meters) dominating the landscape.
The forestry road passes the visitor center, offering a glimpse of the iconic peak1.
Dun Deardail Hill Fort:
Along the way, you’ll encounter the hill fort of Dun Deardail, built around 2,500 years ago.
Although destroyed in an intense fire, it once provided impressive views toward Ben Nevis.
For more information on its history and excavation, check out this booklet2.
Final Descent to Fort William:
The route continues toward Glen Nevis, and just before descending, you’ll pass Dun Deardail.
The final couple of miles lead you along the Glen Nevis road into Fort William.
Look for the official end of the West Highland Way on the main street in town.
What a remarkable achievement!!
If you’re walking the West Highland Way, this guide helps you prepare properly before you go. From planning your route to building your fitness and knowing exactly what to pack.
96 miles. Milngavie to Fort William. 6–8 days. One unforgettable journey.
Follow in the footsteps of drovers, soldiers and Jacobite rebels through some of the most iconic scenery in the Scottish Highlands. From the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, across the vast wilderness of Rannoch Moor, up the dramatic Devil’s Staircase, and into Fort William beneath Britain’s highest mountain.
This isn’t a PDF you’ll forget in your Downloads folder. This is a fully interactive guide that works on your tablet or laptop — online or offline. Built by walkers, for walkers, with everything you need from your first training walk to your final triumphant step.
There is nothing else like this anywhere. We’ve checked. No other walking guide gives you interactive route planning, a personalised fitness programme and a live packing checklist in a single offline-ready guide. This is the first of its kind.
What’s Inside
Stage-by-stage route breakdown — every section from Drymen to Pitlochry with distances, difficulty ratings, terrain notes, accommodation options and insider tips from walkers who’ve done it
Personalised route planner — tell us your pace and preferred daily distance and we’ll build a custom day-by-day itinerary for your walk
Personalised fitness training plan — select your current fitness level and how many weeks you have, and get a tailored week-by-week programme to make sure you’re ready on day one
Interactive kit checklist — tick off items as you pack, with weight estimates and three packing profiles (Essential, Comfort and Ultralight)
Elevation profiles — see exactly what the terrain looks like before you set off
Seasonal guide — season by season advice on weather, trail conditions and the best time to go
Comprehensive safety section — emergency contacts, weather resources, what to do if things go wrong
Why This Guide Is Different
Most walking guides give you a list of stages and wish you luck. Ours actually helps you prepare. The interactive fitness planner builds a training programme around your life. The route planner adapts to your pace. The kit checklist makes sure nothing gets left behind. And because it all works offline.
You’re not just buying a guide — you’re joining The Walkers Club. A community of people who believe the best things in life are found on foot. When you finish your walk, you’ll have earned your place among them.
What You Get for £14.99
✓ Interactive guide — that works on any device, online or offline
✓ Personalised route planner — tailored to your walking pace
✓ Custom fitness training programme — built around your fitness level
✓ Interactive packing checklist — with weight tracking
✓ Stage-by-stage detail — with accommodation tips and insider advice
✓ Lifetime access — download once, keep forever, no subscription
That’s less than the price of a round at the pub — for a guide you’ll use regularly in the lead-up to your walk and to prepare for each day on the trail.