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West Highland Way - North Section

West Highland Way - North Section

A walk through the mountainous north section of the West Highland Way, from Crianlarich to Fort William.

4 to 6 nights
49 miles
Moderate to Demanding

From £385 per person

Discover the available tours

About this route

On old military and drovers’ roads, the north section of the West Highland Way departs Crianlarich and strikes into the mountainous heart of the Highlands. It tours over desolate Rannoch Moor, up through the Aonach Eagach mountains on the Devil’s Staircase, and through the Lairigmor pass to Glen Nevis and Fort William.

This shortened version of the West Highland Way is the perfect way to ensconce yourself in Scottish mountain scenery.

This route can be walked in the opposite direction upon request. Please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays West Highland Way - North Section map
Crianlarich to Fort William
49 miles (79 km)
24th March to 13th October

Holiday highlights

Climbing the challenging highland section of the West Highland Way.

Admiring the breath-taking pinnacles of the Aonach Eagach mountains.

Looking out over beautiful Loch Leven at the end of your walk in Fort William.

Available tours

CodeTourDurationDifficultyPrice per person
WHWN1 From Crianlarich to Fort William 4 nights, 3 days walking Demanding£385
WHWN2 From Crianlarich to Fort William 5 nights, 4 days walking Moderate / Demanding£480
WHWN3 From Crianlarich to Fort William 6 nights, 5 days walking Moderate£575

West Highland Way - Northern section 4 nights, 3 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather

Important information

Please note that accommodation along the West Highland Way is in extremely high demand, so be sure to await confirmation of your booking before making firm travel plans. If you wish to enjoy a similar Scottish walk, both the East Highland Way and the Loch Lomond & Cowal Way are excellent alternative trails to consider.

As an additional side-effect of this high demand, accommodation providers at the Kingshouse and Bridge of Orchy overnight stops have limited availability for their standard rooms. If these rooms are not available, an additional supplement may be necessary, or alternatively, transfers to nearby accommodation may be provided. You will be contacted if this circumstance should arise for your booking. 

Start

Travel to Crianlarich where your first night's accommodation has been booked

Day 1

Crianlarich to Inveroran. 16 miles (25.5km) / 1926 ft (587 m) ascent

Day 2

Inveroran to Kinlochleven. 19 miles (30km) / 2365 ft (721 m) ascent

Day 3

Kinlochleven to Fort William. 14.5 miles (23km) / 1998 ft (609 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Fort William after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£45.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£40.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£55.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Inveroran)
£55.00 per person / per night

What's included?

  • 4 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

Rest days provide the opportunity to explore some of the fascinating little towns along trail. Whether you spend your time exploring the sights and sounds of Scotland or simply rest your weary feet, an extra night is a wonderful way to extend your holiday.

Many people take an extra night in Fort William at the end of the trail to climb Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£55.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Inveroran)
£55.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 49 miles (78.5 km)
Duration: 4 nights, 3 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 14.5 miles (23 km)
Maximum daily distance: 19 miles (30 km)
Code: WHWN1 Grade: Demanding
Season: 24th March - 13th October
Start of holiday: Crianlarich
End of holiday: Fort William

Route Profile

West Highland Way - Northern section Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Glasgow and Glasgow Prestwick.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (Crianlarich) and also at the end of the trail (Fort William).

By Bus - Various bus services run to Crianlarich and from Fort William.

From London - Trains run from London Euston station to Glasgow. From there take the train or train & coach to Crianlarich.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to catch the train or coach from Fort William to Crianlarich.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.

Routes on this trail

West Highland Way

West Highland Way

6 to 10 nights
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From £545 per person
A walking holiday from Milngavie to Fort William along the Highlands of Scotland.Find Out More
West Highland Way - South section

West Highland Way - South section

4 to 6 nights
47 miles
Moderate+
From £385 per person
Milngavie to Crianlarich along the southern half of the West Highland Way through the Scottish lowlands.Find Out More
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Customer reviews from the West Highland Way - North Section

“Scotland's West Highland Way was wonderful. We did it North to South (half way) and thought that this way was preferable to the other more common one. Our lodging was great. Contours staff over and over and over again were so helpful in making this trip happen. Thank you for the help. Contours even gave me detailed help for trains to get from one area of Scotland to the starting area as well as from the ending city to another city. Being very unfamiliar with the train/bus systems in the UK, it is hard to figure out from afar. Again, thank you.”
Mrs Woodward, USA
“The scenery was incomparable.”
Mr Hart, USA
“The delivered package was very helpful. The West Highland Way booklet, directions etc. etc. helped in the total great experience. Apart from the perfect arrangements the weather was perfect. Five days of Scotland and not one drop of rain! If this is the standard, we'll be back.”
Mr Buurman, Netherlands
“The hike is awesome and highly recommended for fit travellers. Had a great time and met many wonderful people.”
Mr Osmus, USA
“It was one of the best walks we have done - we loved it. We were so lucky with the weather - blue skies, sunshine, warmth - and this was the Scottish Highlands!”
Mr Hamon, UK
“Smooth sailing! We had an excellent trip! Just perfect itinerary for our group.”
Ms Kampmann, UK
“Thank you for your hard work in booking this walkers holiday for us. We had a wonderful walk over 5 days of glorious sunshine. Much enjoyed & all went well.”
Mr Williams, UK

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