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West Highland Way: The Best Section

€965 per person
Below we have proposed a program of what we believe to represent the best part of the West Highland Way. Get in touch with us to check details for other options (easier/harder/longer) of this world-famous trail.

Scotland’s West Highland Way is one of the classic world-famous long-distance self-guided walking tours. It covers 152 kilometers from the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands. Enjoy hiking through an iconic landscape of imposing mountains, playful rivers, and peaceful lakes. The trail is very well-marked and passes by the shores of the famous Loch Lomond, and across the lush Rannoch Moor to finish at the foot of the highest mountain in Britain – Ben Nevis. This trail is rightfully named the finest in Scotland and popular with travelers of all ages from all around the world. Join us on one of the most unforgettable independent walking experiences in Europe!

*The below itinerary includes arguably the best section of the West Highland Way. Please contact us if you are looking for other tour options (easier/harder/longer).

  • Destination
  • Duration
    6 Days I Level: 3/4 (of 5)
  • What is included
    Hand picked B&B, guesthouse and small hotel accommodation incl. breakfast; Luggage transportation; People transfers to/from the trail when changes in overnight places require that; Detailed roadbook, maps and GPS tracks (1 set per reservation); Emergency phone support
  • What is not included
    Other meals and drinks; Travel insurance; Any entrance fees, admissions or services not specified.
  • Best period
    April, May, June, July, August, September, mid-October
1
Day 1. Arrival in Tyndrum
Tyndrum is a small village in the heart of the hillwalking country around Glen Lochy. Its Gaelic name translates as "the house on the ridge". The village's origins date back to the days when droves of highland cattle from the north and west passed through en-route to markets in central Scotland bringing lots of tired, hungry and thirsty drovers with them. Nowadays it is of one of the major junctions in the Highlands, where travellers must choose whether to head north to Glen Coe and Fort William, or west towards Oban. *Easiest arrival via Glasgow Airport. Glasgow is appr. appr 2hrs by bus (Scottish Citylink) and by train (First ScotRail Service). Edinburgh Airport is also an option (add 50min train ride to Glasgow and follow the same instructions from there, or take a train to Carlisle and there change for bus to Tyndrum (faster option).
2
Day 2. Tyndrum - Inveroran (15km, 4,30hrs, +/- 350-500m)
The first section of your self-guided hiking adventure offers some up close and personal views of the surrounding mountains. Soon after leaving Tyndrum you will skirt the steep sides of Beinn Odhar and the pyramid of Beinn Dorain sits ahead, a companion all the way across the floor of the glen until you reach Bridge of Orchy. After Bridge of Orchy the way joins the Old Military Road. A short walk up the hill gives a dramatic viewpoint across Loch Tulla (Inveroran, a beautifully situated lake surrounded by Scots pines a remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest) and the Black Mount. Beyond Inveroran, the remote Rannoch Moor beckons.
3
Day 3. Inveroran - Kingshouse/Kinlochleven (16km, 4,30hrs, +550m/-400m)
Head up on the undulating Old Military Road across the wilds and the heather clad wastes of Rannoch Moor, past Ba Bridge, claimed to be the remotest part of the route. The views become ever more expansive with views into great corries once filled with glaciers. Often you can see deer and a great interplay between land, lake, mountain and sky. The military road winds down to the old drovers Inn near the Gateway to Glencoe. This is in the shadow of perhaps the most impressive looking mountain of the tour: Buachaille Etive Mor - the shepherd of Etive Mor.
* Accommodation options in the area of Kingshouse is very limited. As a standard base for two consecutive overnights we normally use Kinlochleven.  Transfer to Kinlochleven in the afternoon of Day 3 and back to the trail in the morning of Day 4 will be organized in this case.
4
Day 4. Kingshouse - Kinlochleven (15km, 4,30hrs, +450m/-200m)
After a healthy breakfast (and a transfer back to the trail), follow your independent walking trail north towards Glencoe: a beautiful valley which draws people who want to see some of the most spectacular Scottish Highlands scenery. Glencoe has been designated as both a national nature reserve as well as part of a national scenic area. Continue past Buachaille Etive Mor and climb up the "Devil’s Staircase" (a legendary and arguably the most popular section of the West Highland Way) until you reach the highest point of the trail at 548m. Enjoy a spectacular view of Ben Nevis (Britain's highest mountain) and descend to the charming small town of Kinlochleven (for maybe your second overnight there in case of lack of alternatives around Kingshouse).
5
Day 5. Kinlochleven - Fort William (24km, 6,30-7hrs, +/-450m)
We have saved some breathtaking views for desert along the longest stage of the program. A steep ascend through the woods above Kinlochleven await you before following the route of the old Military Road through an empty glen flanked by grand mountains. It will bring you to a secluded valley past abandoned stone cottages on your way to Fort William. Follow a forest trail in Glen Nevis with great views of Ben Nevis. Finally, reach the official end of the West Highland Way at the main street of Fort William, which beckons for a deserved celebration. You short independent hiking tour along the West Highland Way is over.
6
Day 6. Fort William: Departure day
Your tour ends after breakfast. *Easiest departure via Glasgow (3,45hrs train ride) and Edinburgh (4,45hrs train ride, 1 change in Glasgow) airports. Check the Traveline website for timetables.

TOUR LOCATION

Price
965 Euro per person in twin/dbl room
*The West Highland Way is arguably the most popular long-distance route in the UK! Accommodations are small and get booked well ahead of time. Book early to avoid disappointment. This will also leave us better choice in terms of accommodations, providing en-suite rooms.
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 310 Euro
Solo Traveler supplement (incl. also sgl. room supplement): 490 Euro
Tips
The tour can start on any day of the week between the beginning of April and mid-October. The route is well waymarked and easy to follow. We supply a detailed map and guidebook so will easily find your way. One piece of luggage per person is allowed for the daily luggage transfers (20kg).
Arrival: best airports to lands: Glasgow and Edinburgh. Glasgow is well-served by rail from across the UK. There are direct bus/train options (appr. 2hrs ride) to Tyndrum. Departure: returning from Fort William: 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).
Midges: If you are travelling in the middle of high season, the notorious midges may be a problem. Midges favour still conditions in the morning and evening and are generally not a problem while you are on the move in the middle of the day. There are many repellents on the market (with mixed reviews), and also midge/mosquito head nets, but not leaving too much skin exposed seems to be the tried and tested way of dealing with them.
Accommodation
Our West Highland Way holidays include overnight accommodation in a mixture of country inns, small hotels, guesthouses and B&B’s. 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 would always inform you in advance if this was the case. 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 also 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 will of course have recommendations. Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Day 1: Tyndrum - Glengarry House; Day 2: Inveroran - Inveroran Hotel; Days 3/4: Kinlochleven - Allt Na Levenl; Day 5: Fort William - Guisachan House;

Send an enquiry about this tour

    The reservation confirmation you will get right after placing an order only confirms that your booking is received and an agent has started working on it. It doesn't mean your tour is guaranteed! Wait to hear from us with final confirmation before booking flights or making any other arrangements, related to your holiday. The dates as listed below do not correspond with real-time availability!

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