The West Highland Way

Make your own way to Drymen, a small town north of Glasgow that is a gateway to the Highlands. If you arrive early there is a teashop with homemade cakes across the green, as well as the small Clacan Inn where Rob Roy used to come down for a swift pint whilst collecting “Blackmail.”

Overnight: Accommodation in a welcoming guesthouse which has become a firm favourite with walkers.

Distance: 22 km | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

Your first walking day is characterised by gentle scenery on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Passing highland cattle in the fields, the route winds up through forest and across the moors to Conic Hill. From the summit you will enjoy great views over the loch and its islands. This marks the boundary of the Highland fault and the official start of the Highlands proper. The West Highland Way drops down to Balmaha by the water, then winds its way towards Rowardennan. You will walk along the Loch shore with lovely tree-framed views.

An extra day in Rowardennan would be advised if you wanted to make an ascent of Ben Lomond.

Overnight: Accommodation at the Rowardennan Hotel. The Inn is practically on the shore of Loch Lomond with beautiful scenery, including the impressive mass of Ben Lomond. All rooms have en suite facilities. The restaurant provides carefully selected dishes ensuring that you receive a true taste of Scotland.

Distance: 22 km | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

Today you walk in the shadow of Ben Lomond for much of the time, following the Loch edge path. There are no big ascents to make, but a few short steep ups and downs. You can pass by Rob Roy’s cave, where he is said to have stopped in times of difficulty and held prisoners at his pleasure. You could perhaps have a drink at the hotel at Inversnaid, before walking onto Ardleish. Here you can raise a buoy on a pole to attract the attention of the ferryman who will collect you and transfer you to the hotel on the western side of the Loch (approx. £3, to be paid directly to the ferryman).

If you fancy a slightly longer walk (or if the weather is too rough for the boat) you can continue for another 2 km to Beinglas Farm or the Inverarnan Drover’s Inn to call for a taxi to transfer you to the hotel (not included).

Overnight: Stay at a 3-star hotel with comfortable rooms in Ardlui on the western side of the Loch. There are two restaurants, a lounge and public bars.

Distance: 24 km (or 34 km) | Walking time: 5 – 7 hrs approx.

Two choices today: It is a long way from here to Loch Tulla, if you are a strong walker then it is fine, but otherwise we advise you to use the taxi (included) to take you to Crianlarich or further, to reduce the day to a more manageable length. Crianlarich lies under another big peak; Ben Mor.

The largely valley route goes via the ancient priory of St. Fillan associated with both Robert The Bruce and Rob Roy, through the moraines of Dalrigh, where the Bruce was defeated in 1306, then via the old mining settlement of Tyndrum where a seam of gold has been recently found.

The route continues up past the peaks of Ben Lui and Ben Dorain to the Bridge of Orchy for a quick dram before continuing on to Loch Tulla (Inveroran), a beautifully situated lake surrounded by Scots pines a remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest.

Overnight: Stay at the Inveroran Hotel which is 24 km from Crainlarich, or at the upgraded accommodation – The Bridge of Orchy Hotel, approx 21 km from Crianlarich. Both hotels are set in beautiful surroundings.

Distance: 16 km | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.

Head up on the old military road across the wild and heather-clad Rannoch Moor, past Ba Bridge, claimed to be the remotest part of the route. The views become ever more expansive, with a wonderful interplay between land, lake, mountain and sky. There are views into great corries once filled with glaciers. Keep your eyes peeled for deer.

The military road winds down to the old drovers Inn near the Gateway to Glencoe. This is in the shadow of Scotland’s most photographed mountain: Buachaille Etive Mor (The Shepherd of Etive Mor”).

Overnight: The Kingshouse Hotel, one of Scotland’s oldest.*

*Except Fridays & Saturdays. The Kingshouse Hotel only accepts 2-night stays if your booking falls on a Friday or Saturday. The alternative is to stay at the Glencoe Mountain resort on a room-only accommodation in the form of Microlodges (1 x double bed and 2 x single beds). There are shower and toilet blocks and a café open from 9am to 8.30pm (hot food until 7.30pm). You need to provide your own sleeping bag, liner, towel.

Distance: 14.5 km | Walking time: 3½ hrs approx.

From the Kingshouse Hotel, the West Highland Way passes Buachaille Etive Mor and then proceeds to zigzag up the Devil’s staircase to 550 m: not as bad as it seems, a well graded section of the Way. This offers spectacular views back from whence you came, as well as onwards towards Ben Nevis. Then it is a long descent to sea level at the head of Loch Leven with views of the Blackwater Dam, Loch Leven and The Pap of Glencoe.

Overnight: In Kinlochleven stay in a lovely guesthouse where a warm welcome is guaranteed.

Distance: 22.5 km | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

The day begins with a steep climb along old Victorian hunting tracks on the slopes of the Mamore hills. You then re-join the old military road and cross the Lairigmor Pass, continuing through dense coniferous forest to Glen Nevis past the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak (1,345 m).

Overnight: We use many different bed & breakfast/guesthouses in Fort William as it is a popular town.

The tour ends after breakfast. If you wish to stay an extra night to climb Ben Nevis just let us know at the time of booking and we would be happy to arrange this.