A GUIDE TO THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY ROUTE SECTIONS
The West Highland Way is a classic long-distance walking trail, covering a variety of scenery and terrain over its 96 mile route. Stretching from the outskirts of Glasgow to the Scottish Highlands, it leads through rolling farmland, along the rocky shores of Loch Lomond, over scenic passes, and across a vast heather moorland, before reaching the dramatic mountains of Glencoe and ultimately emerging at the foot of Ben Nevis. Although a well-trodden trail, it is a highly rewarding journey.
In this guide we share detailed trail notes and a complete breakdown of each West Highland Way route section, to ensure you know exactly what to expect throughout your walk. We include practical info about food, accommodation, and facilities along the Way, and offer a downloadable map for easy on-trail navigation.
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Hi guys, I just watched your film on the West Highland Way and absolutely loved it. Your website is fantastic too. I plan to walk the WHW over 8 days in the first week of July this year and planning to camp while doing this trip over 8 days. If I need to take a break from wild camping and stay at any official campsites, do I need to make a booking earlier or can I just show up for a spot on the same day? Not sure which nights I may feel the need to stay in an official… Read more »
Hey Sunny, glad you enjoyed the film and that’s great you’re planning to walk the WHW yourself! I would say that you can’t rely on being able to just show up at that time of year. Some of the campsites are quite small (like Blackwater at Kinlochleven and Glencoe Mountain Resort) and all of the campsites have the potential to be fully booked. I would try to call ahead and check availability the day before or early morning on the day you would like to stay. That way if it’s fully booked, you can make an alternative plan to wild… Read more »
Searching for Beinglas Farm, it looks like they might re-open in 2023
Yes, my understanding is that it will only reopen if someone is found to take over the lease. Worth keeping an eye on it! Hopefully it will re-open. Kim
Is it possible to stay in Glencoe villiage and take the bus to the trailheads (and back to accommodation at the end of the day) for the Inveroran to Kingshouse and Kingshouse to Kinlochleven sections of the trail? Having a bit of trouble finding available accommodation (and not wanting to camp due to the weather) but still hoping it is possible to do these sections as they look so beautiful!
Yeah those sections are really beautiful! As far as we know there is no public transport to Inveroran. There is a bus connecting Kinlochleven and Glencoe village (check here https://shielbuses.co.uk/route-n44-monday-to-friday) and the Citylink bus stops at Glencoe village and on the main road a short walk from Kingshouse (‘Glencoe Ski Centre’ on the timetable, check here https://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables-service-updates/glasgow-to-skye/). There are local taxis too. Hope this helps. Cheers, Kim.
Would it be mad to attempt Milngavie to Balmaha on the first day and camp on the island just off the shore? Should I split this into 2? Loving your website by the way. It’s becoming my WHW bible ✌️
Hey Sarah, glad you’re finding our guides helpful! Personally, I wouldn’t be able to cover all that distance in one day (about 31 km), especially with the added pressure of needing to arrive in time to get the last boat over to the island (at 5 pm I believe). If you’re fit, fast, and used to walking that kind of distance with your camping gear then go for it, but otherwise I’d suggest splitting it up over 2 days, or wild camping somewhere around Conic Hill on the first day instead of on the island. Cheers! Kim
Is it possible to stay two nights in some of the places. There are 4 of us interested in supported hiking (bags brought to next location).
Hi Mary, yeah you can organise your walk any way you like, and if you prefer to stay 2 nights in one place this is possible, although you need to consider public transport options/taxi to get you back to your accommodation at the end of the day, and back to the trail the following day. Unless you want to stay 2 nights in order to have a rest from walking the second day? Either way, it’s possible. You would just advise the baggage transfer company of the dates and locations to transfer your baggage. Cheers, Kim