Long distance
West Highland Way
Scotland's most famous long-distance trail and the busiest in the UK. Runs from a northern Glasgow suburb to Fort William under the shadow of Ben Nevis, via Loch Lomond, Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 154 km/ 96 mi
- Typical days
- 7
- Total ascent
- 3200 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Milngavie → Fort William
- Best direction
- South to North
✔ Waymarked throughout
Our take
The West Highland Way is the beginner's long-distance walk — waymarked to a fault, supported by a dense chain of hostels, campsites and bunkhouses, and achievable by anyone fit enough to walk 20km a day for a week. It's also crowded in July and August, and the Loch Lomond section is genuinely busy. Do it in April or September for the best experience. Skip it entirely if your idea of a long-distance walk is solitude.
Highlights
- Conic Hill viewpoint over Loch Lomond
- The Devils Staircase descent into Kinlochleven
- Rannoch Moor crossing
- Final approach to Fort William under Ben Nevis
Best months
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Accommodation
Everything from campsites to 4-star hotels. Book 6+ months ahead for high season. Macs Adventure and similar companies run baggage-transfer itineraries.
Resupply
Resupply available at Drymen, Balmaha, Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Tyndrum, Kingshouse, Kinlochleven, Fort William. No genuinely remote sections.