Essential Info
Length
7 nights, 6 days walking
Standard Price
£407.00
Price with Luggage Transport
£443.00
Holiday Code
WH7
Grade
Moderate to Challenging
Why do this walk?
A tremendous route joining the Scottish lowlands with stunning Highland scenery.
Walk along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond with great views of the mountains.
Cross the remote Wilderness of Rannoch Moor, with its unique landscape.
Spend a night at the remote Kingshouse Hotel, nestling underneath the breathtaking Buachaille Etive Mor.
Savour the excitement & achievement as you near Fort William, with Ben Nevis towering above.
The Whole West Highland Way
Milngavie to Fort William in 6 days Walking Code: WH7
Of all our West Highland Way holidays this is the one for the more serious walker, covering the entire Way in 6 days. If you are a fit walker and want to concentrate on completing the Way, then this is the walk for you.
| Miles | Km | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Travel to Milngavie for your first night's accommodation | ||
| Day 2 | Milngavie to Drymen | 12 | 19 |
| Day 3 | Drymen to Rowardennan | 14 | 23 |
| Day 4 | Rowardennan to Crianlarich | 20 | 32 |
| Day 5 | Crianlarich to Inveroran | 16 | 26 |
| Day 6 | Inveroran to Kinlochleven | 19 | 31 |
| Day 7 | Kinlochleven to Fort William | 14 | 23 |
| Day 8 | Depart from Fort William after breakfast |
Milngavie - Drymen
The Way starts in Milngavie, a suburb of Glasgow. It travels across rolling hills and lowland plains. This is an easy pleasant walk along the valleys of Blane and Endrick with good views of the hills.
Drymen - Rowardennan
The Way continues with a mixture of good woodland paths, moderate gradients on Conic Hill and hillside tracks. The approach to Loch Lomond is very picturesque.
Rowardennan - Crianlarich
Today is mainly rugged walking over loch side rocks and tree roots with some scrambling. This can be a wild and demanding section of the Way, especially north of Inversnaid.
Crianlarich - Inveroran
With typical highland walking in glens and over low passes with moderate ascents and descents, on mainly well surfaced paths and tracks. There are many fine mountain views to be enjoyed today.
Inveroran - Kinlochleven
A moderate to hard day with amazing scenery. The terrain is mainly good underfoot but it is highly exposed and can be difficult in bad weather - be prepared!
Kinlochleven - Fort William
Starting with a steep climb out of Kinlochleven followed by rough paths in Nevis Forest, your final day finishes with a gentle descent into Fort William.
Moderate to Challenging
Thousands of regular walkers complete the WHW every year – but remember this is a challenging route passing through increasingly remote and mountainous terrain. There are some longer days too. This is a route for experienced walkers.
Terrain: Varied – lowland meadows, foothills, loch sides, remote moorland, and high mountain passes – it has it all!
What’s it like underfoot? The route is generally well maintained but there are sections where the going is rougher, and others where it can get muddy. The side of Loch Lomond is infamous for its difficult tree roots.
How Much Up & Down? Not too much considering where you are! Over 4000m of ascent in total, with climbs of 300 - 500m on most days. The 2 biggest climbs – 500m up the Devils’ Staircase, and 700m out of Kinlochleven, are saved for the final 2 days.
Signposting: Good.
Navigation: Signposting is good and the route follows well defined paths, so no particular difficulties. But there are sections of remote wilderness (Rannoch Moor), and higher mountain terrain (where you may be in the mist on a bad day) so you need to be able to navigate – these aren’t places you want to get lost.
Weather: Some people complete the whole route in fine weather, but most will encounter at least some rain, and possibly hill fog on the higher ground. Early or late in the season hail or snow are possibilities. Good clothing and waterproofs absolutely essential, even if you end up not needing them too often.
| Accommodation | Overnight Bed and Breakfast accommodation in selected hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest houses and family B&Bs. Full English or Continental breakfast. |
| Guidebook | A detailed guidebook with route information, maps, photos and background information. |
| Information of Services Along the Route | A comprehensive Service Info sheet, including services such as cash points, banks, post offices, village shops, inns, cafes and taxis. |
| Maps | A waterproof 1:40000 map from Harvey Maps covering the whole route. |
| Personal Itinerary | A personal itinerary setting out each overnight stop, including large scale maps of each accommodation, to ensure you find it easily. |
| Emergency Telephone Support | If you get in to difficulties during your holiday, we are always available to help, even out of office hours. |
| 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoors | We will issue you with a 15% Discount Card valid at all Cotswold Outdoor stores, and online, for the whole year on confirmation of your booking. |
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Options
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| Luggage Transport | We will transfer your luggage between each overnight stop – if you leave your luggage at the accommodation when you set off in the morning, it will be moved on to your next B&B. You only need to carry a small day sack with the clothes and provisions you require during the day’s walk. |
| Packed Lunches |
Provided for each day's walking and recommended on this holiday as there will not always be a handy shop or cafe on the route. |
| Off Road Parking | If you are travelling by car we can usually arrange off road parking for the duration of your trip. (There may be a small charge for this). |
| Arrangement of return transport | We can also arrange your transfer back to your car, (or advise you when public transport is a better option)! |
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What's not Included
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| Evening Meals | Your evening meal isn’t included in the package, but we include full details and recommendations for each evening meal in your itinerary. You will normally be within walking distance of a pub and/or restaurant, or where there is good food available at the accommodation, we’ll book that for you. Allow about £20.00 per night. |
| Transport to the Start & Away from the Finish | Have a look at the "Travel Info" tab above for suggestions. If you're still struggling, get in touch and we'll help you sort it out. |
| Travel Insurance | Even if you are based in the UK travel insurance is worth having. |
One of the great features of our West Highland Way holidays is the quality of the accommodation, including small country house hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and farm house accommodation. In selecting the accommodation we look for helpful, friendly hosts with good quality, characterful accommodation close to the trail. We always try to arrange en suite accommodation, i.e. rooms with their own bathrooms for each night of your stay. However, in some of the more remote locations accommodation is limited and occasionally we may have to book rooms with shared bathrooms for one or two nights of your holiday, (especially if the booking is made at short notice), but we will always let you know if this is likely to be the case.
Single Rooms We are happy to book single rooms on this walk but cannot normally book more than 2 for any one group. Single room bookings include a supplement.
Here are a few examples of the accommodation we use along the West Highland Way:
The Inveroran Hotel
The Inveroran Hotel is an old Inn on the old drovers trail that is now known at the West Highland Way. You will be received with such warmth here that you will feel like you are being welcomed like an old friend. The small bar is full of character and a great place to meet, chat and exchange stories with other walkers.A characterful Scottish Inn, in spectacular surroundings.
Visit their website at: www.inveroran.com
Ashbank B&B
Ashbank is a really cosy guest house run by a lovely and welcoming couple who do all they can to make your stay an enjoyable one. In the beautiful village of Drymen and not far from the pub, Ashbank is a popular choice for walkers. You will be sure to get an excellent breakfast and enjoy your stay in this delightful B&B.
Visit their website at: www.ashbank-drymen.co.uk
The Kings House Hotel
Possibly one of Scotland's oldest Inns, The Kings House is in a very remote location in the Highlands, so you will be especially happy to be received such a warm welcome. It has provided respite for travellers for centuries, offering shelter from the elements and rest from their journeys. You will appreciate the comfortable accommodation, hearty meals and delicious breakfasts.
Visit their website at: www.kingshousehotel.co.uk
General travel information on the West Highland Way area will be in your holiday pack including train and bus timetables where available.
Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps.
To view train times please visit www.qjump.co.uk where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit www.traveline.info
If you require secure car parking whilst walking this route, please contact us for information.
Getting There:
By Air: The nearest international airport is Glasgow (GLA). There is a regular shuttle bus into Glasgow city centre (approx 25 mins). Glasgow to Milngavie is 7 miles, you can either: take a taxi from Glasgow city centre; travel by train directly to Milngavie, this takes 25 minutes; or travel by bus, which takes 40 minutes.
By Public Transport: Milngavie has a railway station. Most services will pass through Glasgow.
By Road: Milngavie is 7 miles north of Glasgow. For Glasgow, travel on the M6 north followed by the A74 (M). From Glasgow, follow the A81 direct to Milngavie.
Returning from Fort William:
By Public Transport: Fort William has a railway station. Most services will pass through Glasgow (GLA).
By Road: Head for either Glasgow (107 miles) or Edinburgh (136 miles) depending on the direction of your final destination.
Crianlarich
The name Crianlarich comes from the Gaelic for low pass. In the 1750s two military roads met here. Crianlarich makes a good location for a “rest day” in order to travel along the picturesque West Highland Train Line to visit Oban – a coastal resort with a difference - the town and its bay are virtually land-locked, giving it a sheltered setting. For memorable views walk up Oban Hill to McCaig's Tower or take a walk to Ganavan Sands and relax on the beach.
Fort William
Fort William is the capital of the West Highlands, situated at the head of Loch Linnhe. It’s not the prettiest of towns, but there are good number of shops, and some good outdoor stores to browse around or buy new gear. A lot of people take an extra day here to climb Ben Nevis – Britain’s highest mountain (1344m / 4409ft). It’s a long day, and the weather can be harsh, so make sure you are fit and prepared!
Prices GBP (£)
| Accommodation, map & guidebook only | £407.00 |
| with Luggage Transport | £443.00 |
| with Packed Lunches | £446.00 |
| with Luggage & Lunches | £479.00 |
Other Options |
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| Extra Nights (per night) | £48.00 |
| Single Supplement (per night) | £25.00 |
