Independent Trails: Fact File.WHW3

Scotland ~ The West Highland Way

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Much of the West Highland Way follows ancient tracks through glens, forest and moorland, such as the drove roads along which Highlanders moved their cattle to market in the Lowlands; military roads built by troops to control the Jacobite Clans and old coaching roads. Many of these tracks are rough and stony and can muddy in wet weather. There are some remote sections, but the trail is well-established, clearly waymarked and very popular.

Trail Facts

Total distance: 95 miles (152km)
Duration: 10 nights, 9 days walking
Minimum/maximum daily distances: 6 ½ miles (10.5km)/14 miles (22km)
Waymarking: The trail is clearly waymarked and very easy to follow.
Season: April to October
Starting point of holiday: Milngavie
End of holiday: Fort William
Holiday code: WHW3

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to Milngavie.

Day 2: Milngavie to Drymen. 12 miles (19km).

Day 3: Drymen to Balmaha.  6½ miles (10.5km)

Day 4: Balmaha to Rowardennan. 7 ½ miles (12km).

Day 5: Rowardennan to Inverarnan. 14 miles (22km).

Day 6: Inverarnan to Tyndrum. 13 miles (21km).

Day 7: Tyndrum to Inveroran. 10 miles (16km).

Day 8: Inveroran to Kingshouse. 10 miles (16km).

Day 9: Kingshouse to Kinlochleven. 9 miles (14.5km).

Day 10: Kinlochleven to Fort William. 14 miles (22km).

Day 11: Depart Fort William.

Extra nights/Rest Days

Book an extra night in Rowardennan if you would like to climb Ben Lomond, which provides amazing views of both the Lowlands and the Highlands.   Many people take an extra night in Fort William at the end of the trail to climb Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.

What's included

• 10 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms with private bathrooms (where available) in selected guesthouses, inns and hotels.
• A traditional Scottish breakfast
• Door to door luggage transfer along the trail.
• A map with the route marked on and a guidebook to the route.
• An information pack containing an itinerary, detailed instructions on how to find your accommodation each night, information about facilities and places of interest along the trail and a kit list.
• Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it.
• Emergency assistance.

Travel Information

Detailed instructions on how to get to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you on booking.   A summary is given below.

Most convenient major city and International airport: Glasgow Airport.   From the airport take a taxi or bus (21 minutes) to Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station and then a train to Milngavie (20minutes).

Outward journey from London to Milngavie: Train from London Euston to Glasgow Central Railway Station (approximately 5 - 5 ½ hours), short walk (10 minutes) or bus to Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station, then train to Milngavie (20 minutes).   

Return journey to Glasgow (or London) at the end of the holiday: Short walk or taxi to Fort William Railway Station, then train to Glasgow Queen Street (3 hours 40 minutes), then taxi or bus to Glasgow Airport (approximately 21 minutes) or to continue to London; short walk (10 minutes) or bus to Glasgow Central Railway Station and then train to London Euston (approximately 5 – 5 ½ hours).

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