The West Highland Way runs from Milngavie, which is north of Glasgow, to Fort William at the base of Ben Nevis. The route stretches 96 miles and gives you a beautiful introduction to the Scottish Highlands.

The hike was the first long-distance route (created in the 1980s) in Scotland and made it a trendy walk for many keen hikers. And still today, it’s favoured among many as the best hike the country has to offer.

But what makes this hike really special isn’t the fact it was the first long-distance route in Scotland… it’s the variety of landscapes it offers the hiker. Throughout the route, you’ll be introduced to the:

• The beauty of Lock Lomonds
• Vastness of Rannoch Moor
• Landscapes below Campsies
• Wonders of Ben Nevis
• And the majestic Highlands

As you can see from above, the trail gives you a fantastic introduction to the breath-taking scenery the Highlands has to offer.

Generally, the route is walked from south to north to combat the harsh winds that blow from the southwest. Another reason is the distances between stops are shorter, and the ascents aren’t as challenging from the south.

If you’re super keen to make the walk even longer, you can continue by walking via the Great Glen Way or the “unofficial” East Highland Way.

Buy The West Highland Way Hike Guide

What does it look like?

How Long Does It Take?

For most hikers, the route will take at least 6 to 8 days to complete, but it really depends on what you want to do and how serious you want to take it.

To complete the hike in 6 days, you’d have to walk at least sixteen miles a day, which some people simply haven’t got the stamina for.

Even though you can complete the route in 6-8 days, many people like to take a few weeks to enjoy everything the hike has to offer. You see, there are many famous mountains along the way you might want to climb, including:

• Ben Nevis
• Buachaille Etive Mor
• Ben More
• Ben Lomond

If you want to complete the route as quickly as possible, some people have done it within 5-day with the record standing at 35 hours of walking.

How To Get There And Back?

As with any long hike, the logistics of getting there and back are always an issue. But with the West Highland Way, things can feel even worse.

Scotland is known for being very remote and having a slight lack of public transport. Luckily, the West Highland Way is pretty well connected.

The hike starts at Milngavie, which is just outside Glasgow. To get there, you can use the train service from Glasgow Queen Street.

If you want to make your hike a little bit longer, you could even walk to Milngavie using the Kelvin Walkway. The walk connects Glasgow’s West End with West Highland Way.

Once you finish the hike in Fort William, you can return to Glasgow using public transport. The best transportation option is the direct train to Glasgow, which passes a super scenic route.

The Best Time To Go

It’s always hard to predict what the weather will be like in Scotland, but it’s safe to say you should try and avoid the winter unless you’re looking for cold, snowy weather.

If you’re looking for the best weather, you should probably aim to be there around Spring and early Summer.

The problem with going in the summer is the trail is super busy due to its popularity. In the spring, it tends to be a little bit quieter.

During the spring, you’ll be welcomed to all the newly born farmyard animals, adding a little more wonder to your walk. Another benefit is you don’t have to worry about the nightmare midges biting you and killing your experience.

For most people, the best months are:

• April
• May
• September
• November

November can be a little bit colder but still offers a great hiking experience. If you choose one of these months, you should have a good time.

Where To Stay On Your Journey

Considering how desolate the Highlands feel, there’s a surprising amount of accommodation along the way; the trick is planning your stays and booking well in advance.

If you’re looking to do the hike on a budget, your best option is to camp. The route has plenty of camping spots along the way. But, camping sites do become limited as you reach the eastern shore of Loch Lomond due to it being a national park.

Luckily you can wild camp as long as you keep to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

When budget isn’t a concern, there’s plenty of lovely hotels, B&Bs, hostels, bunkhouses, and guesthouses along the way.

The problem is:

Some of the places have minimal options when you book. For this reason, it’s super important to book well in advance. Ideally, you should make your reservations several months before your trip.

Where To Get Food And Drink Along The Way

Keeping your calories up during a walk like this is vital. Luckily you have plenty of options available to you.

If you stay in B&Bs or hotels, you can take advantage of the breakfasts they offer the clients in the morning. Also, bunkhouses have an area where you can cook your breakfast and prepare your lunch for the day.

During the night, there’s plenty of restaurants you can check out with a wide range of food options available.

If you’re camping, you can either take advantage of the restaurants or buy food from the local shops/supermarkets and prepare your food later.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the West Highland Way gives you a great introduction to everything Scotland has to offer. During the walk, you’ll be treated to awe-inspiring mountains and beautiful landscapes you won’t see anywhere else.