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Basic West Highland Way – Medium

Name: Basic West Highland Way – Medium
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 690.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 9 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: More than 20 km per day

Ascent per day: 250 - 500 m ascent per day

Hiking Holidays

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ
Reviews

> Hike the full West Highland Way at your own pace
> Sleep in simple, friendly accommodations
> No luggage transfer, just your boots and a backpack

Early morning mist rising off Loch Lomond. The crunch of gravel under your boots as you leave the woods and walk into the wild emptiness of Rannoch Moor. And that first sip of whisky in Fort William when you’ve made it all the way. The West Highland Way is a journey through Scotland’s greatest hits, and this version keeps things real and affordable.

This is our basic package for the classic 9-day trek. You walk the full route from Milngavie to Fort William with overnight stays in simple B&Bs and guesthouses. No luggage transfer here, you carry your pack and feel the miles. Accommodation before and after the trek is included, so you’re all set from day one. A solid option for trekkers who want the full experience without the frills.

Itinerary

Day

Arrival in Milngavie

Today you will travel to Milngavie. You will have an overnight stay here so that you can start the trip well rested.

Day

Milngavie to Drymen

Duration: 05:20 h

Distance: 20.4 km

Ascent: 170 m

Descent: 170 m

The trip from Milngavie to Drymen is a good warm-up for the rest of the West Highland Way route. The route is relatively flat and is a nice introduction to the diverse landscapes you will encounter over the next 96 miles. Along the way you will encounter some smaller lochs and rivers, revealing the Highland landscape beyond Drymen. The official route takes you around the village of Drymen and then to Balmaha. Many hikers prefer to end this first day in Drymen or at least stop there for shopping and a drink.

Day

Drymen to Rowardennan

Duration: 07:00 h

Distance: 24.3 km

Ascent: 540 m

Descent: 560 m

After leaving Drymen, rejoin the West Highland Way as it veers away from the A811 and towards Conic Hill. The view from Conic Hill is breathtaking. Below, stretching across the famous Loch Lomond, there are a series of islands that mark the highland boundary fault, between the lowlands and the highlands of Scotland. You will then descend into the village of Balmaha. Here you can enjoy a hearty meal and refreshments, and also learn about the region in the National Park Visitor Centre. If you want to explore a wider area along the route, you can also visit the island of Inchcailloch. This stage then continues along the shores of Loch Lomond. The trail takes you through an ancient oak woodland and, on the way, you will pass three campsites: Cashel, Milarrochy, and Sallochy. You will finally reach Rowardennan, the ending point of this stage.

Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel (Rowardennan)

Day

Rowardennan to Inverarnan

Duration: 06:20 h

Distance: 22.1 km

Ascent: 300 m

Descent: 310 m

This section guides you through the northern, more remote section of Loch Lomond. The terrain is challenging, but the wildness and soaring mountains are worth the effort. One of the highlights of today's stage is the breathtaking waterfall at Inversnaid. The West Highland Way route guides you over a footbridge over the waterfall as it cascades down into Loch Lomond. Along this stage, you may well encounter some wild goats and catch a glimpse of magnificent birds of prey, like the Golden Eagle and the Osprey. Once in Inverarnan, you can visit the famous Drovers Inn and share a beer with fellow West Highland Way walkers.

Day

Inverarnan to Tyndrum

Duration: 05:26 h

Distance: 19.7 km

Ascent: 410 m

Descent: 200 m

This stage takes you into a new and different landscape, a landscape of high mountains. You'll first follow the Falloch River, where you'll catch a glimpse of the Falloch Falls, to the halfway point of the stage, Crianlarich. You can walk past the town, or walk into Crianlarich for refreshments. You then continue your journey to Tyndrum, following the Fillan River. When you reach Kirkton Farm, you will find the ruins of St Fillan's Priory and its cemetery. You then follow the River Cononish until you reach Tyndrum.

Day

Tyndrum to Kingshouse

Duration: 08:05 h

Distance: 29 km

Ascent: 600 m

Descent: 470 m

Important: make sure you have everything you need before leaving Tyndrum since there are no more shops until Kinlochleven, 28 miles away! This section of the West Highland Way offers unique views of the surrounding mountains. Soon after leaving Tyndrum, you will skirt the steep sides of Beinn Odhar and you will walk across the floor of the glen until you reach Bridge of Orchy. To the right you will discover the famous railway and you’ll see another viaduct showcasing the engineering skills of the West Highland Railway Line. From here the glen widens and flattens and the trail guides you with a gentle descent down to the railway station. After leaving Bridge of Orchy, the WHW joins the Old Military Road. After a short climb up the hill, you will be able to enjoy the dramatic views from the viewpoint across Loch Tulla and the Black Mount. Beyond Inveroran, the remote Rannoch Moor beckons.

From Forest Lodge follows an ascent to the edges of Rannoch Moor. Make sure you are prepared for unfavorable weather since the terrain on this section is exposed and getting across can be tough with bad climate. Ba Bridge is halfway across the moor and is a good spot for a break, surrounded by good views. A short walk to the left of the bridge takes you to the ruins of Ba cottage, a lovely spot for lunch. While following the undulating old military road you will walk past the Glencoe Ski Centre, Black Rock Cottage, and one of Scotland’s most famous mountains, Buachaille Etive Mor.

Day

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

Duration: 05:40 h

Distance: 16.8 km

Ascent: 330 m

Descent: 680 m

Today you head toward Altnafeadh, near the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor, before turning sharply right to the Devil's Staircase. A zigzag path takes you to the highest point of the West Highland Way, located at 550 meters. The summit is marked with a stone mound and offers breathtaking views back to "The Buachaille" and north toward the Mamores Mountains. After overcoming the Devil's Staircase, the WHW takes you through moorlands to Kinlochleven.

Blackwater Hostel, Campsite & Pods (Kinlochleven)

Day

Kinlochleven - Fort William

Duration: 07:00 h

Distance: 24.8 km

Ascent: 560 m

Descent: 560 m

This section begins with a steep climb from Kinlochleven. Ahead of you is Lairigmor, also known as The Great Pass. The trail follows the valley as it curves north, leads you through forests and then takes you to Glen Nevis. The HRA then continues through forest plantations. Before finally descending to Fort William, you can visit the remains of Dun Deardail, an Iron Age fort in Glen Nevis. Then follow the trail to Fort William and make your way to the center of town. The end point of the WHW is the bronze statue of a fellow hiker in Gordon Square.

Day

Departure

After breakfast, our package and your Ben Nevis adventure is over. Have a good trip back!

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Included

Accommodation

We will arrange your accommodation on the West Highland Way in hotels, inns, and guesthouses. Accommodation will be private in single, double or twin rooms and with en-suite bathroom where possible.
Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the West Highland Way. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.
Breakfast (when possible)

We will arrange breakfast for you whenever possible. Some accommodations on the West Highland Way, however, do not allow us to pre-book it. In those cases, you can usually request breakfast for the next morning directly at the accommodation (at your own expense), or simply enjoy one of the cafés in the area.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport. This also applies to any transport from the end point of your trail.
Transfers

If you require any form of public or local transport during the trek, it is not included in the package unless stated otherwise. This applies to taxis, buses, cable cars, gondolas, and similar services.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Lunch and Dinner

Breakfast is, if possible, included in the price of the trek. You can get lunch and dinner at the shops, hotels, and restaurants along the way.

FAQ

Is The West Highland Way For Me?
Tips for Hiking the West Highland Way
Traveling to and From
How to get back after your trek from Fort William
What if the dates I want are not available?
If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?
How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

Booking
Availability
Cancellation policy

Reviews

Basic West Highland Way – Medium

Itinerary

Arrival in Milngavie

Milngavie to Drymen

Drymen to Rowardennan

Rowardennan to Inverarnan

Inverarnan to Tyndrum

Tyndrum to Kingshouse

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

Kinlochleven - Fort William

Departure

Included

Accommodation

Full travel guide

Navigation support

Breakfast (when possible)

Excluded

Traveling to and from

Transfers

Travel Insurance

Lunch and Dinner

FAQ

Is The West Highland Way For Me?

Tips for Hiking the West Highland Way

Traveling to and From

How to get back after your trek from Fort William

What if the dates I want are not available?

If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

Booking

Availability

Cancellation policy

Reviews

Reviews

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