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Walking the West Highland Way is a great challenge and one which we can help you do. It is a stunning highland walking holiday in Scotland where you can explore on foot this well-known trail.
Our West Highland Way Self Guided Walking Holiday lets you walk the route over 8 walking days. Giving you time to enjoy the route even if you are not an experienced walker. Sit back and relax while we make your accommodation arrangements, luggage transfers and any other transfers needed to complete your West Highland Way Adventure. Then all that is left is for you to prepare yourself for walking the way!
The West Highland Way was Scotland’s first official long-distance route. Originally conceived in the 1960s, it was completed in October 1980. The way links Milngavie to Fort William, a distance of 152km (95 miles), from the outskirts of Scotland’s largest city to the foot of its highest mountain, following the shores of its largest freshwater loch; Loch Lomond. Much of the Way follows ancient and historic routes of communication and makes use of Drove Roads, Military Roads and Disused Railway Tracks. The trail passes from the lowlands, across the Highland Boundary Fault and on into the Scottish Highlands, basically from city to wilderness.
This West Highland Way walking holiday passes through a wide range of different terrain, ranging from lowland moors, through dense woodland and rolling hills, to high mountainous regions. This variety of environments provides habitats for a diverse range of wildlife species, both flora and fauna. Some species are more common than others and some are rarely seen. If you are lucky enough to spot one of the rarer varieties, consider yourself privileged.
We can customise your West Highland Way holidays if you are looking for long walking days or shorter days. We have also our 3 standard options which you can book online. However, if you are looking for a custom West Highland Way adventure get in touch and we would be happy to help.
Milngavie
We are not like other operators we do not just provide a map and a guidebook from a bookshop, we have walked this trail and provided detailed Navigation by our Smart Phone App.
A level 3 tour with walks up to 7 hours and climbs up to 540m.
3/4 star hotels & guest houses. Please note we first try and book 4 star accommodation, if these are full we then book high 3 star. Sometimes due to availability transfers may be provided particularly the first two nights.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Walking that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Arrive in Milngavie train station early morning and start your hike. A relatively simple start to your West Highland Walk on footpaths, tracks, lanes and an old railway with no major climbs. The route runs through the ancient earldom of Lennox between the Campsie fells and Blane water through beautiful rural scenery to Drymen, a small market town. On the way, you will pass Glengoyne Distillery.
Today on your West Highland Way Holiday, you will follow good paths or tracks most of the way. As you leave Drymen the first major climb is over Conic Hill near Balmaha which separates the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. At the top, you will have wonderful views of Loch Lomond – Britain’s largest freshwater lake at 27sq. miles. The lochside route to Rowardennan is twisty and undulating but with stunning views across Loch Lomond.
This is by far the roughest section of the Way, particularly north of Inversnaid where the path makes a tortuous route along the side of Loch Lomond with many ups and downs. A full, hard days walk but the scenery is superb. First, you will walk on forestry trails towards Arrochar Alps but then the path narrows. At Inversnaid you will pass over a fantastic bridge and waterfall. After Inversnaid when the going gets tough, you will pass through the RSPB centre and Rob Roy’s Cave.
The path and tracks are mainly well-surfaced, much of the way consists of an old military road. Moderate ascents and descents, but it is a nice relaxing walk after the previous days walk. The way actually bypasses Crianlarich so you will have a short detour if you are staying here tonight.
With good paths and tracks and some moderate ascent and descent, today’s route has nothing unduly difficult and is nowhere far from services. A straightforward day of the glen and low pass walking amid outstanding mountain scenery.
The surfaces are mainly good underfoot but you are highly exposed; in bad weather, Rannoch Moor has to be taken seriously. The scenery is spectacular. The climb is moderate before Inveroran, then there’s a higher level path before descending into the eastern end of Glen Coe. You will skirt around Loch Tulla on the way and join a military road across the moor. This can be very contrasting, in bad weather it can be tough going but in good weather extremely scenic and inspiring.
You will follow the trail to Altnafeadh, which gives great views of the famous ‘weeping glen’ and site of the Glencoe Massacre in 1692. Then you zigzag up the Devil’s Staircase to the highest point of the Way at 548m. You will be rewarded with stunning views towards Ben Nevis, given clear weather. From here you wind our way down into the pretty little town of Kinlochleven.
The final stage of the West Highland Way. There is a steep climb out of Kinlochleven, and then there are no more serious gradients. The path through Nevis Forest is a bit rough when descending down towards Fort William. Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest peak and you will see the footpath to the summit as you branch left down to Fort William.
Depart after breakfast.
By plane to Glasgow International airport or Prestwick airport. For Prestwick, a train to Glasgow takes around 1 hour from International airport to the city centre 15 minutes by bus or Taxi.
To reach Milngavie an outlying of suburbs of Glasgow and there are several ways of making the short journey.
Trains run from Queen Street Station (Central Station on Sundays) every half hour and take approximately 20 minutes.
The Number 109 bus runs regularly from Renfrew Street but takes slightly longer.
A taxi from Glasgow is often the most convenient option and shouldn’t cost more than £15 for the twenty-minute journey.
Car parking is available at the station in Milngavie or alternatively, the Premier Inn offers parking if you stay with them.
2025 Prices – For a complete tour price breakdown please click the book now button and select your holiday tour date. Prices will then be listed.
Tour Code | Prices From (per person) | Book Now |
WHW8 (8 Nights) | from £1645 | Book Now |
Just to say we had a great holiday walking the west highland way, and thank you again for the brilliant organisation. This is the 5th or 6th Holiday we have done with you, but the others we all cycling holidays
Have contacted Sammie for some opinions and got prompt feedback afterwards. I think you will keep doing great in the future. Thanks for the arrangement. We are very satisfied.