The West Highland Way

Walking the West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is Scotland’s first long distance route which links Milngavie on the northern outskirts of Glasgow to the foot of Ben Nevis at Fort William.

It passes from the lowlands, over low rolling countryside, across the Highland Boundary Fault Zone and on through the Scottish Highlands via lochs, moorland and mountain passes. Much of the West Highland Way follows ancient and historic routes of communication and makes use of Drove Roads, Military Roads and Disused Railway Tracks. The Route passes through Mugdock Country Park, follows the shores of Loch Lomond, passing Ben Lomond, through Glen Falloch and Strathfillan, crossing Rannoch Moor, past Buachaille Etive Mor to the head of Glencoe, climbing the Devil’s Staircase, descending to sea level to cross the River Leven at the head of Loch Leven before entering Lairigmor and Glen Nevis.

The usual convention is to describe the route from south to north, as the southern stages are easier and will prepare walkers for the more demanding northern stages. There is however no reason why the West Highland Way cannot be walked from north to south, starting at Fort William and ending in Milngavie.
The terrain ranges from lowland moors, dense woodland and rolling hills, to high mountainous regions in the Scottish Highlands.

Mileages / Times

The distances and timings shown below have been taken from the official website and should only be used as a guide. Mileages have been rounded to whole numbers and the timings take account of the terrain but include no allowance for stops.

Milngavie to Carbeth	5 miles (8 kms) / 3 - 4 hours
Carbeth to Drymen	7 miles (11.2 kms) / 3 - 4 hours
Drymen to Balmaha	8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Balmaha to Rowardennan	7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Rowardennan to Inversnaid	7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Inversnaid to Inverarnan	7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Inverarnan to Crianlarich	6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Crianlarich to Tyndrum	6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy	7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours
Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran	2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 - 2 hours
Inveroran to Kingshouse	10 miles (16 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven	9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 - 5 hours
Kinlochleven to Fort William	16 miles (24 km) / 7 - 8 hours
Note that wild camping is not permitted on the east shore of Loch Lomond. There are camp sites between Balmaha and Rowardennan and hostels at Rowardennan and Inversnaid