West Highland Way Highlights - 7 Days & 6 Nights
7 Days & 6 Nights 4.8 Read 959 reviews- Complete Scotland's most famous long distance trail from Milngavie to Fort William
- Enjoy camaraderie on the trail as you meet fellow walkers from around the world
- Walk from the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond to the remote Rannoch Moor
- Stay at the Kingshouse Hotel with views onto Buachaille Etive Mor
- Make your proud final steps into Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis
Discover Scotland's spectacular landscape on the West Highland Way; towering mountains, tranquil lochs and rushing rivers combine to reward you with a unique and ever-changing experience as you journey from Drymen to Fort William.
This highlights itinerary takes in 66 miles of walking with an included transfer that skips the section between Inverarnan and Bridge of Orchy. Depart the village of Drymen where the route leads you up the shores of Loch Lomond giving a splendid panorama south over the loch. From Inverarnan you are transferred north to Bridge of Orchy where you'll walk via Inveroran and the remote Loch Tulla to Kingshouse Hotel on the open expanse of the Rannoch Moor. This really is Scottish Highland scenery at its best! Continue onto Kinlochleven via the “Devil’s Staircase” (not as intimidating as it sounds), before finally reaching Ben Nevis and, Scotland’s outdoor capital, Fort William.
Macs Adventure has been operating self guided walking holidays on the West Highland Way since 2003. Based locally, just a few miles from the start of the West Highland Way, our team has walked the West Highland Way countless times. So we really do know every step of the way. Each year over 2500 people trust us to organise their West Highland Way adventure and 99% would recommend us to a friend! But don’t just take our word for it, you can read over 800 authentic and unbiased West Highland Way customer reviews below.
What To Expect
Tour Style:
Self Guided | Go at your own pace on an independent active trip.
Activity:
Inn to Inn Walking | A classic point to point walking trip, staying in a different location each night
This trip is suitable for:
Solo Travelers, Families, First Timers
Ideal if you have an interest in:
- National Parks & Trails
Featured in our collections:
- Most Popular
- Classic
Activity Level & Terrain
This holiday is graded moderate overall with individual itineraries varying from easy to moderate through to moderate to strenuous. Daily walking distances vary between 7 - 21 miles. Some days will be more challenging than others and the terrain will be varied with some rough and rugged footpaths. There are ascents and descents involved so a good level of fitness will be required.
Navigation
The route is well waymarked and easy to follow. We supply a detailed map and guidebook so will easily find your way.
Experience & Fitness
This route is suitable for most regular walkers of average fitness. You should train by walking some daily walks of similar daily distances to your planned itinerary.
Accommodations
Our West Highland Way holidays include overnight accommodation in a mixture of country inns, small hotels, guest houses and B&B’s. We have worked with many of our accommodation partners for over 10 years and have great relationships with them ensuring you receive the best attention from the moment you check in.
We carefully select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay and all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.
We book en suite rooms as standard. If there are no en suite rooms available in an overnight location, we may book a room with shared facilities, but we will always inform you in advance if this was the case.
Accommodation Location
We will always try and accommodate you at the locations detailed in your itinerary. Occasionally, because of limited availability, there is the option to be accommodated at an alternative location. In the unlikely event that we have to accommodate you elsewhere, we will advise you of this before confirming your booking. In this case we can amend your trip dates or arrange transfers to and from an alternative overnight accommodation (supplement payable)
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
This holiday is available to solo walkers, although a supplement is payable. If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate your request, although it is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party. A single room supplement is payable.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively, your guidebook includes details of local shops and convenient lunch stops on the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or nearby pubs and restaurants and your info pack has recommendations.
Additional Nights
You may wish to take some extra nights along the route, either to rest or to explore some of the other walking opportunities nearby. We would recommend extra nights at Rowardennan - For climbing Ben Lomond, Crianlarich - A halfway stop with options for visiting Oban, Fort William - For climbing Ben Nevis.
- Overnight in hand-picked B&B’s, small hotels & guesthouses
- Breakfast at each accommodation
- Baggage transfer
- We include an overnight in Fort William at the end of your trip as standard
- Transfers to your accommodation (if included as part of your itinerary)
- Information pack and access to maps & GPX tracks with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office
- Travel to Drymen / from Fort William
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
- Travel insurance (required)
- Personal equipment
- Additional nights along the route
- Pre-tour accommodation in Glasgow / Milngavie
When To Go
The trip is available from the end of March to mid-October and while it does get very busy, we are always willing to try and get you booked in.
There are a few dates throughout the year when events in the local area will prevent us from being able to book accommodation. The following are particularly difficult to secure:
Kinlochleven – Pre 65 Trails, held every year in early May
Weather and Climate
Scotland's climate is notoriously changeable! Expect some amounts of both sunshine and rain regardless of the time of year, so always pack both waterproofs and sunscreen. July and August are usually warmest with average temperatures around 14 degrees centigrate, and highs of up to mid-twenties. Some snow may remain or even fall on the higher parts of the route in March & April, and even beyond. May has the least rainfall on average, but you would still expect some wetter days, and each year can vary greatly.
Getting to the Start
By Air
Glasgow International Airport
Located 8 miles west of Glasgow is served by routes from around Britain and the world. A regular shuttle service runs to the city centre. Visit their website for details of operators and routes. From Glasgow local bus services serve Drymen
Web: http://www.glasgowairport.com/
Prestwick International Airport
Located 30 miles south of Glasgow, Prestwick is served primarily by Ryanair. A train service runs from Prestwick to Glasgow city centre. Note that this takes approx. 50 minutes so don't cut it too fine. Again their website has details of routes and operators. From Glasgow local bus services serve Drymen
Web: http://www.glasgowprestwick.com/
By Rail
Glasgow is served by several operators from throughout Britain. It is important to book as far in advance as possible to get the best fares. For information on all routes contact National Rail Enquires. From Glasgow local bus services serve Drymen
Web: www.nationalrail.co.uk
By Road
Glasgow is served by an excellent motorway network. Long term parking is generally not available in the city centre but unsecure parking is available in Milngavie and Drymen. For directions and journey planner visit:
Web: http://www.bing.com/maps/
Services from UK destinations are operated by National Express. From Glasgow local bus services serve Drymen
Web: www.nationalexpress.com
Services from Scottish destinations are operated by Scottish Citylink. From Glasgow local bus services serve Drymen
Web: www.citylink.co.uk
Getting from the End
Return transfers from Fort William to Glasgow are NOT included in the price of your holiday.
If you are returning to Glasgow we suggest the Citylink Bus (up to 8 departures daily, approx. 3 hours) or Scotrail train (one of the UK's most spectacular journeys, 2-3 departures daily, approx. 4 hours, also available for continued journey to Edinburgh).
Trains and buses also operate north to Inverness and Skye; a great website for public transport planning within Scotland is Traveline Scotland, or give us a shout to discuss extending your stay further.
Transfers
We are able to offer transfer arrangements at attractive prices, for your convenience. Just give us a call to talk through your plans.
Luggage Transfer
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 per person.
General Information
The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Drymen Day 2 Drymen to Rowardennan 14.5 miles / 23 km Day 3 Rowardennan to Inverarnan 14.5 miles / 23 km Day 4 Transfer to Bridge of Orchy, walk to Kingshouse 12.5 miles / 19.5 km Day 5 Kingshouse to Kinlochleven 9 miles / 14 km Day 6 Kinlochleven to Fort William 15 miles / 24 km Day 7 Onward travel from Fort WilliamBlog Articles
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