West Highland Way · Overnight stop
Accommodation in Fort William
154km / 96 miles — the finish, at the statue in the town centre.
154km from Milngavie · Stage stop
A Highland town of real size under Ben Nevis, and the end of the walk. It is also the start of the Great Glen Way and the Cape Wrath Trail, a hub for Ben Nevis, and on the sleeper line to London — which means you are competing for beds with several groups who are not walkers at all.
The last night of every schedule, and the one people most often forget to book.
What is actually in Fort William
Everything, from hostels to hotels. The deepest supply on the route by a wide margin — which is why people assume it is safe and leave it late.
How far ahead to book
Two to three months in high season despite the size of the town. Ben Nevis, the sleeper and two other long-distance trails all converge here, and a Saturday finish in July is a genuinely difficult night.
When it is full
Glen Nevis has campsites and hostels a short distance out of town. Failing that, take the train south the same evening — a real option, and one that ends the walk on a very long day.
Getting there, and getting out
West Highland Line to Glasgow Queen Street (about 4 hours), the Caledonian Sleeper to London, and Citylink buses. The train south crosses Rannoch Moor and Loch Lomond, so it shows you the whole walk again in reverse.
Camping
Campsites in Glen Nevis. Wild camping in the glen itself is heavily used and heavily regulated in places — check locally rather than assuming.
Food and resupply
Full supermarkets, outdoor shops and everything else. If you are continuing onto the Great Glen Way or the Cape Wrath Trail, this is where you rebuild the pack.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.