West Highland Way

✓ Balanced itinerary matched to availability
✓ Finding, booking and paying for the accommodations
✓ Breakfast in the hotels
✓ Comprehensive hiking guide with everything you need
✓ Standby hiking advice from our experts

Bookatrekking offers the West Highland Way as a fully self-guided, independently walked experience. There is no guide, no group and no fixed departure date: you choose when you go, we arrange everything in advance, and you walk at your own pace.

We offer two accommodation tiers. Premium packages use hand-picked inns, B&Bs and small hotels selected for character, location and comfort. Basic packages use simpler guesthouses and hostels along the same route at a lower price point. The walking itinerary and baggage transfer service are identical in both tiers.

The table below shows all current West Highland Way packages. Prices are per person based on two travellers sharing, valid for the April–November 2027 season.

Prices as of September 2026, per person based on two travellers; solo travellers pay a single supplement. Premium = hand-picked inns and B&Bs, Basic = simpler accommodation. All packages include pre-booked accommodation, breakfast, daily baggage transfer between stops, and access to the Bookatrekking app with offline navigation. If you plan to finish in Fort William and want to make the most of arriving at the foot of Ben Nevis, the Ben Nevis Summit Hike (4 days, from €590) can be added directly after your West Highland Way finish.

Browse all itinerary options, check live availability and book your preferred start date using the packages below.

The West Highland Way is Scotland's first and most famous long-distance trail, officially opened in 1980. It follows ancient drove roads, old military routes, and former coaching paths for a total West Highland Way distance of 154 km (96 miles) from Milngavie to Fort William — making it one of the longest waymarked routes in Scotland.

The trail is signed throughout with the distinctive thistle-in-a-hexagon marker, so navigation is straightforward in good weather. The West Highland Way start point is the obelisk in Milngavie town centre, 16 km north of Glasgow. From there the route heads steadily north, crossing the Highland Boundary Fault at Conic Hill, skirting the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, crossing the vast emptiness of Rannoch Moor, descending into the drama of Glencoe, and finishing in Fort William at the foot of the UK's highest mountain.

Total cumulative elevation gain is around 3,650 metres. There are no technical scrambles or exposed ridges. The highest point is the Devil's Staircase at 548 metres, a steady zigzag climb on an old military road. More than 30,000 walkers set out on the West Highland Way every year, yet once you leave Loch Lomond behind and step onto the open moorland, it rarely feels crowded. Whether this is your first multi-day hike or your tenth, the trail's combination of scenery, infrastructure, and clear waymarking makes it an outstanding choice.

The classic West Highland Way route runs north from Milngavie to Fort William. The table below shows the seven stages of our 9-day Medium itinerary; our other packages split the same route into 5 or 10 walking days. Most walkers follow the south-to-north direction: the southern stages are gentler and build your legs for the more demanding northern terrain.

Stage distances are sourced from our own GPS-verified route data. The official West Highland Way length is 154 km; our packages cover 156 to 159 km because some of the accommodation lies slightly off the trail and the approach is included. The longest day on the classic itinerary is Stage 5, Tyndrum to Kingshouse at approximately 30 km, which crosses Rannoch Moor and includes around 580 metres of ascent.

How many days do you need for the West Highland Way?

3 or 4 days: Completing the full 154 km in 3 or 4 days means averaging well over 35 km per day with significant elevation. This is territory for experienced fell runners, not recreational walkers, and it is not an option we offer through Bookatrekking.

5 days: Five hiking days is feasible for fit, experienced walkers who are comfortable with long days of 30 km or more. Our Intensive package covers the full route in 7 days total, including 5 walking days, with stages ranging from 24.6 km to 35.4 km. This is the fastest full-route option we sell.

6 days: Six days works well for each half of the route. The Northern Half (Tyndrum to Fort William) is a 4-walking-day itinerary packed with the wildest Highland scenery. The Southern Half (Milngavie to Tyndrum) covers the lochside and moorland sections at a comfortable pace in 4 walking days.

7 days: Seven walking days is the pace chosen by the majority of West Highland Way hikers and corresponds to our Medium 9-day package (7 walking days, plus arrival and departure days). Daily distances range from 15 km to 30.2 km, making this a well-rounded challenge without being punishing.

8 to 12 days: For a more relaxed walk the West Highland Way — ideal if this is your first long-distance trail or you want more time to explore villages and viewpoints — our Easy 12-day package keeps daily distances to a maximum of 24.6 km, with several shorter stages of 10–13 km through the Loch Lomond section.

West Highland Way map and navigation in the app: Every Bookatrekking package includes the full West Highland Way route loaded into the Bookatrekking app, available for offline use without a mobile signal. The app displays your position on the route, turn-by-turn guidance, and the current weather forecast for each hut or accommodation stop based on its GPS coordinates — useful when Scottish conditions change rapidly mid-day. Official printed maps covering the route are also available from outdoor shops and the official trail website; we recommend carrying one as a backup.

Conic Hill

The first real viewpoint of the walk, Conic Hill sits directly on the Highland Boundary Fault and rewards you with a panorama across Loch Lomond and the islands below. Reaching it on day two feels like crossing a threshold into proper Highland country.

Loch Lomond

The trail follows the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, Britain's largest freshwater lake by surface area, for two days. The path weaves through ancient oak woodland, over rocky shorelines and past sandy beaches with the Arrochar Alps rising across the water. The northern section around Inversnaid is rougher underfoot and slower going than the map suggests — factor in extra time here.

Rannoch Moor

One of Europe's last great wildernesses. This vast peat bog covers more than 100 square kilometres of open moorland: no trees, no houses, just heather, bog pools, and sky. On a clear day it is magical; in mist it is elemental. Crossing Rannoch Moor between Inveroran and Kingshouse is the most remote stretch of the entire walk.

The Devil's Staircase

The highest point on the West Highland Way at 548 metres, this old military road zigzags up from Altnafeadh and rewards you with a sweeping panorama across Glencoe and the Mamores. Despite the name, the climb is manageable and takes most walkers under an hour.

Glencoe

The route skirts the northern edge of Glencoe's dramatic glen, with towering ridges and plunging waterfalls visible across the valley floor. Glencoe carries both extraordinary beauty and a haunting history; the landscape stays with you long after the walk is over.

Ben Nevis

The West Highland Way ends in Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,345 metres. Many walkers add an extra summit day: our dedicated guide to hiking Ben Nevis covers everything you need to know about the ascent from Glen Nevis.

Beyond Fort William, the Great Glen Way continues northeast to Inverness, and the Isle of Skye is a natural next adventure. If the Highlands are calling you further, our Skye Trail guide is a good place to start planning.

Short answer: probably yes. The West Highland Way is one of the most accessible long-distance hikes in Europe precisely because it has no technical sections: no scrambling, no exposed ridges, no river crossings without bridges. The trail is well-maintained and well-signed for its entire length.

“Amazing organisation where everything is planned for you. The locations are stellar and I can recommend it to everyone who wants to do the West Highland Way with a bit of luxury mixed in.”
— Ardavan, Trustpilot review, May 2026 (5 stars)

That said, it should not be underestimated. The full route totals 154 km with around 3,650 metres of cumulative ascent. Some days involve 5 to 7 hours of walking. Scottish weather can change dramatically within a single afternoon, and the exposed moorland sections around Rannoch Moor offer no shelter.

For beginners: If you can comfortably walk 15 to 20 km on hilly terrain, you are ready for the West Highland Way — particularly if you choose a relaxed itinerary. Our Easy 12-day package keeps daily distances manageable and includes shorter stages through Loch Lomond, giving you time to find your rhythm before the terrain gets wilder. Children of around 12 and above with some hiking experience can also complete the route.

The hardest day: The toughest single stage in terms of combined distance and elevation is Stage 5, Tyndrum to Kingshouse (around 30 km, approximately 580 metres of ascent), which crosses the full width of Rannoch Moor. For most walkers this is the most demanding day. The Devil's Staircase the following morning is steep but short, taking most people under an hour to climb; the tougher element of that day is the total distance from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven (around 15 km with 360 metres of ascent), which comes at the end of several big days.

Walking solo: The West Highland Way is one of the best trails in Europe for solo walkers. The trail is busy enough that you will meet fellow hikers daily, villages with pubs are spaced along the route, and our packages are fully available to solo travellers (a single supplement applies). You walk independently, at your own pace, with no group to keep up with.

Choosing the right package: If this is your first long-distance walk, choose the Medium 9-day or Easy 12-day itinerary. If you are fit and comfortable with long days, the Intensive 7-day option delivers the full route at a real pace. Short on time? The Northern Half in 6 days captures the wildest and most dramatic half of the trail.

One of the West Highland Way's great strengths is the variety of accommodation along the route. Options range from cosy B&Bs and country inns to hostels and bunkhouses, with something to suit most budgets and preferences.

Most walkers stay in B&Bs and small guesthouses: comfortable beds, hot showers, and a full Scottish breakfast to fuel the day ahead. These are typically family-run and located in or very close to the trail villages. The Kingshouse Hotel, one of Scotland's oldest licensed inns and positioned perfectly after the crossing of Rannoch Moor, is a legendary overnight stop — and one that sells out many months in advance. Kinlochleven, the penultimate stop before Fort William, fills up quickly during peak season for the same reason.

Booking early matters. Peak season (May to September) sees accommodation along the most popular stages book out months ahead. This is precisely the problem Bookatrekking solves: we secure your rooms across the full itinerary before you travel, matching availability to a balanced day-by-day schedule so you are never stuck without a bed.

Baggage transfer is included in every Bookatrekking package. Each morning your main bag is collected from your current accommodation and delivered to that evening's stop. You walk the West Highland Way carrying only a daypack with your lunch, waterproofs, and essentials. It transforms the experience, particularly on longer days.

Wild camping is legally permitted along most of the West Highland Way under Scotland's Land Reform Act (right to roam). The exception is the eastern shore of Loch Lomond between Drymen and Rowardennan during the camping management zone season (March to September), where a permit is required in advance. Wild camping is a perfectly valid way to walk the trail, but it is not something Bookatrekking packages include; our packages are accommodation-based.

The West Highland Way can be walked from early spring through late autumn, typically April to October. Here is what to expect month by month.

April: Quiet on the trail, longer days beginning to return, snow still possible on higher ground. A good choice for walkers who want solitude, though some accommodation may not yet be open at the very start of the month.

May: The most popular month and arguably the best overall. Days are long, midges have not yet emerged in full force, and the Highlands are at their most vivid green. Accommodation books up quickly, so plan well ahead.

June: Maximum daylight (up to 18 hours in midsummer), warm temperatures, but this is when midges peak alongside the summer crowds. The combination of warm, humid and still conditions in sheltered glens and near water is ideal midge territory.

July and August: Peak season. The trail is at its busiest and midges are at their most intense. Expect heather still to be pre-bloom (peak bloom is typically late August). Accommodation is hardest to find without advance booking.

September: Arguably the finest month for walking the West Highland Way. Midges thin out significantly after mid-month, crowds drop, and the early autumn colours add warmth to the landscape. Days are still long enough for comfortable walking.

October: Beautiful autumn colours but days shorten noticeably and some accommodation closes. Suitable for experienced walkers who are comfortable with reduced daylight and wetter conditions.

Scottish weather is famously changeable. Rain, low cloud and wind are possible in any month; locals talk about experiencing four seasons in one day. Waterproof clothing is essential year-round. The Bookatrekking app shows the current weather forecast for each accommodation stop based on that location's GPS coordinates, which is far more accurate than a general regional forecast when you are moving between valleys and exposed moorland day by day.

The West Highland Way start is in Milngavie (pronounced "Mul-guy"), a small town 16 km north of Glasgow city centre. Glasgow is well-connected by air and rail from across the UK and Europe.

By train to the start: Regular ScotRail services run from Glasgow Queen Street to Milngavie in around 25 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day. There is no need to arrange a transfer; the station is a short walk from the trail obelisk.

Returning from Fort William: At the end of your walk, Fort William is linked to Glasgow by the legendary West Highland Line, a four-hour scenic rail journey regularly cited as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Citylink coach services also run the route. Check current fares directly with ScotRail or Citylink.

Flying in: Glasgow Airport receives flights from most major UK and European cities. Edinburgh Airport, about an hour from Glasgow by bus or train, is another option. We recommend arriving in Glasgow the evening before your walk starts so you can reach Milngavie fresh the following morning. Check current flight prices with your preferred airline or comparison site.

The West Highland Way is one of the best-waymarked trails in the UK. The route is marked throughout with the distinctive thistle-in-a-hexagon symbol, and in good visibility navigation is rarely a challenge for its entire length.

In poor conditions, two sections require more attention. On Rannoch Moor, low cloud and mist can reduce visibility to a few metres across completely open terrain with no landmarks. On the Devil's Staircase, strong winds and cloud can roll in quickly. In both cases, having the route loaded on your phone before you leave the morning's accommodation is essential.

Every Bookatrekking package includes the complete West Highland Way route in the Bookatrekking app, downloadable for offline use with no mobile signal required. The app shows your real-time position on the route, upcoming waypoints, and the weather forecast for your next hut or accommodation stop based on that location's coordinates. This is particularly useful when conditions look changeable mid-stage: you can check what is happening at your destination before committing to a higher or more exposed line.

The route is also available on official Ordnance Survey maps (Explorer sheets 347, 348, 364 and 377) and on the Harvey West Highland Way map. We recommend carrying a paper backup on Rannoch Moor and above Kinlochleven regardless of how good your phone battery is. A power bank is a sensible addition in cold conditions, as GPS use drains batteries significantly faster than normal.