West Highland Way · Overnight stop
Accommodation in Kinlochleven
129km / 80 miles in — the end of stage six, at the head of Loch Leven below the Mamores.
129km from Milngavie · Stage stop
A former aluminium-smelter town at sea level, reached by descending the Devil's Staircase — the highest point on the Way at 548m — which means the shortest day of the walk ends with the biggest descent. Not picturesque in the Glen Coe sense, and much the better for it: it is a working village with actual shops.
The standard sixth and final night before Fort William on the 7-day schedule.
What is actually in Kinlochleven
The Blackwater Hostel, the Tailrace Inn, B&Bs, a bunkhouse and camping. One of the better-supplied stops on the northern half.
How far ahead to book
Three to four months in high season. Better stocked than Kingshouse or Bridge of Orchy, but it is still the last night of most people's walk and everyone wants it.
When it is full
Awkward. Kingshouse is 14km back over the Devil's Staircase, and Fort William is 25km on with a serious climb early. Glencoe village is reachable by road but not on foot. Of the two, pushing on to Fort William is the more common solution and it makes for a very long final day.
Getting there, and getting out
Buses to Fort William and Glencoe. No railway. A reasonable bail-out point by bus, though by this stage almost nobody stops.
Camping
Outside the permit zones, with camping in the village. The valley floor is enclosed, so a wild pitch means climbing back out of it.
Food and resupply
Good shops — the route record singles them out for resupply, and it is the last proper restock before the finish.
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