Hiking Tours on the West Highland Way

Yes, your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

It's vital that you adhere to these limits. Heavier bags, or additional items might not be transferred, and you may be charged locally. Airlines may have different allowances, but our luggage handlers do not have the same capacity or equipment, and their health and safety is our priority.

If you're not overnighting in Glasgow or Milngavie before you start walking, you'll meet our luggage transfer partners at Milngavie Rail Station on the morning of Day 1 to check your bag in for the first time.

Most hikers choose 8 or 9 days. Very fit hikers can do it in 6 or 7. If you'd like shorter days and more time in the villages, go for 10 or 11. Short on time? Our 5-day Escape hikes the northern stages from Bridge of Orchy.

Yes, solo travelers are very welcome. There will be a supplement because some costs, like transfers, aren't shared. Or if you'd like to book a single room, just ask. These are available for a supplement.

The West Highland Way is a great fit for hikers of all experience levels. Depending on your fitness and personal preference, the route can be graded easy to moderate, moderate, or moderate to strenuous.

To get trail-ready, we recommend heading out on regular hikes before your trip and working some hills into your routine. Be sure to check the daily distances and elevation gain in your itinerary, so you know exactly what each day has in store.

Most of the trail follows well-maintained paths, though the terrain is varied and can be rough in places. The most challenging stretch underfoot runs along the shore of Loch Lomond. Here you’ll need to be sure-footed, with frequent short sections of rocky ground. Trekking poles are a big help.

Choosing the right itinerary for you

To help you find the best fit, here’s how our West Highland Way hiking trips compare, from easiest to toughest:

• Easy to moderate (10 and 11 days): Shorter daily distances for a more relaxed pace, with extra time to explore the villages and glens along the way.
• Moderate (8 and 9 days): Our best-selling itineraries, with a good balance of challenge and time to soak up the scenery.
• Moderate to strenuous (6 and 7 days): Longer days on the trail, best suited to seasoned hikers who are comfortable covering bigger distances.

Other ways to hike the West Highland Way

Short on time, or looking for a little extra comfort? These trips offer a different way to experience the trail:

• Best of the West Highland Way: The trail’s highlights, on and off the path, with extra comfortable accommodations each night.
• West Highland Escape: A taste of the trail. Hike the northern section from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William, past the dramatic peaks of Glen Coe.

Getting to the Start

Glasgow and Edinburgh are the key gateways for this tour.

Glasgow Airport (GLA) is around 8 miles west of the city, with flights from across the UK and beyond, including seasonal nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) and Toronto (YYZ). Regular shuttle buses run into the city center or you can jump in a taxi outside the arrivals hall. Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is around 45 miles east of Glasgow and has the widest choice of nonstop flights from North America, with United, Delta and American Airlines all flying direct. From Edinburgh Airport, take the bus to Glasgow’s Buchanan Street Bus Station (around 1 hr), or the tram to Edinburgh Haymarket (around 30 mins), then the train to Glasgow Queen Street (around 1 hr).

Your route to the start depends on which tour you choose.

West Highland Way (full tour), starting in Milngavie

Milngavie is around 8 miles from Glasgow city center. The easiest way there is by ScotRail train from Glasgow Queen Street station (around 25 mins). Milngavie station is close to the start of the trail, and it’s also where you’ll leave your luggage with our local team. A taxi or Uber takes around 15 mins.

Best of the West Highland Way, starting in Glasgow

Your tour begins in Glasgow itself, with a night in the city before a transfer out to Balmaha to start walking.

West Highland Way Escape, starting in Bridge of Orchy

Bridge of Orchy is around 2 hours from Glasgow, with four ScotRail trains and four Citylink buses a day. Whichever you choose, the journey to the start of your trip takes you through some fantastic Highland scenery.

West Highland Way North, starting in Inverarnan

Inverarnan sits roughly halfway along the West Highland Way. The easiest way there is to take the Fort William train from Glasgow Queen Street and get off at Ardlui, then take a 5-minute taxi to Inverarnan.

Planning Your Trip

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Getting from the End

Your route home depends on where your trip finishes.

Tours finishing in Fort William

The West Highland Line back to Glasgow is one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys (around 4 hrs, with 2 to 4 departures a day). We recommend reserving seats in advance for the best fare. Scottish Citylink buses run up to 8 times a day directly to Glasgow (around 3 hrs 15 mins), Edinburgh city center (around 5 hrs 20 mins) and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) (around 5 hrs). Scenic Scottish Transfers offer a premium onward transfer service to Glasgow (GLA) and Edinburgh (EDI) airports.

Want to keep exploring? From Fort William, ScotRail trains and Citylink buses continue to Inverness and Mallaig, for the ferry to the Isle of Skye.

West Highland Way South, finishing in Inverarnan

We recommend the Citylink bus back to Glasgow, which runs up to 8 times a day and takes around 1 hr 30 mins. Citylink also runs north from Inverarnan to Fort William, Inverness and Skye.

Yes, many hikers do. Ben Nevis is the UK's highest mountain at 4,413 ft, and the round trip from Fort William takes most people 6 to 9 hours. Ask us about adding an extra night in Fort William.