Enjoy the stunning Scottish countryside as you walk from village to village on your own pace
This tour follows most of the 92-mile national long distance trail of the same name through the southwestern part of the Scottish Highlands. It is claimed by some to be the most popular long distance trail in the British Isles. Starting at the village of Drymen just outside Glasgow, it includes Loch Lomond, valley routes through the mountains round Crianlarich and open heather moorland across the Rannoch Moor wilderness area. It passes close to sombre Glencoe, famed for its massacre of the MacDonald Clan, and finishes at Fort William near the foot of Ben Nevis (Britain's highest peak, which can be readily ascended by experienced clients if they choose to spend an extra day).
The West Highland Way is a well-established and popular route, containing landscapes of great beauty and imposing majesty. The altitude range is from sea level to 1850 ft (4408 ft if Ben Nevis is climbed).
This itinerary can also be walked in 10 days. Please enquire if you are interested in this option.
Highlights of the Self-guided 8-day West Highland Way Trek
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Self-guided West Highland Way Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Drymen
Make your own way to Drymen, a small town north of Glasgow that is a gateway to the Highlands. If you arrive early there is a teashop with home made cakes across the green and the small Clacan Inn where Rob Roy used to come down for a swift pint whilst collecting “Blackmail.”
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Drymen
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Drymen to Rowandennan
Gentle scenery on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond. Passing highland cattle in the fields the route winds up through forest and across the moors up to Conic Hill, which from the summit gives great views over the loch, and across the islands there. This marks the boundary of the Highland fault and officially the start of the Highlands proper. The way drops down to Balmaha by the water, and then winds its way towards Rowardennan along the Loch shore with tree-framed views. Rowardennan marks the road head, and a convenient place to stay at our pleasant hotel. An extra day here would be advised if you wanted to make an ascent of Ben Lomond.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Rowandennan
Distance: 22km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Rowardennan to Ardlui
Today you walk in the shadow of Ben Lomond for much of the time, following the Loch edge path. There are no big ascents to make, but a few short steep ups and downs. You can pass by Rob Roy’s prison and cave where he is said to have stopped at in times of difficulty and held prisoners at his pleasure. You could perhaps have a drink at the hotel at Inversnaid before walking onto Ardleish, where you can raise a buoy on a pole to attract the attention of the ferryman who will collect you and transfer you to the hotel on the western side of the Loch (approx £3 not included). Or if you fancy the longer option, if the weather is too rough, you need to continue to Beinglas farm or the Inverarnan Drover’s Inn to call for a taxi to transfer you to the hotel (not included).
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Ardlui
Distance: 22km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Ardlui to Inveroran (Bridge of Orchy)
Two choices today: It is a long way from here to Loch Tulla, if you are a strong walker then it is fine, but otherwise we advise you to use the taxi (included) to take you to Crianlarich or further, to reduce the day to a more manageable length. Crianlarich lies under another big peak; Ben Mor. The largely valley route goes via the ancient priory of St. Fillan associated with both Robert The Bruce and Rob Roy, through the moraines of Dalrigh, where the Bruce was defeated in 1306, then via the old mining settlement of Tyndrum where a seam of gold has been recently found. The route continues up past the peaks of Ben Lui and Ben Dorain to the Bridge of Orchy for a quick dram before continuing on to Loch Tulla (Inveroran), a beautifully situated lake surrounded by Scots pines a remnant of the ancient Caledonian forest.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Inveroran (Bridge of Orchy)
Distance: 24 - 34km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Inveroran to Kingshouse
Head up on the 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Kingshouse
Distance: 16km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Kinghouse to Kinlochleven
From the Kings House Hotel, the way passes beside one of the most impressive mountains in Scotland - Buahaille Etive Mor or the Shepherd and then proceeds up the Devil’s staircase to 1850 ft: not as bad as it seems, a well graded section of the Way. This offers spectacular views back from whence you came. Then it is a long descent to sea level at the head of Loch Leven with views of the Blackwater damn, Loch Leven and The Pap of Glencoe.
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Kinlochleven
Distance: 14.5km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Kinlochleven to Fort William
A steep climb up under the steep slopes of the Mamore hills at the beginning of the day follows old Victorian hunting tracks and then you are back on the old military road and over Lairigmor Pass, through dense coniferous forest to Glen Nevis past the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak (4408ft).
Overnight Location: Hotel/BB in Fort William
Distance: 22.5km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Depart
Arrangements end after breakfast.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
2024 Departures
The departures are available daily, from March 23rd to October 19th. All the prices below are per person.
- Solo traveller: $1,995 USD
- Single room (travelling with group): $1,950 USD
- Sharing a double room: $1,325 USD
Accommodation on Self-guided West Highland Way Trek
There is a variety of accommodation along the route ranging from bed and breakfasts, country inns and small hotels. They are run by walker friendly hosts offering rooms and a tasty breakfast to get you ready for the walk ahead. Further facilities such as washing and drying facilities, packed lunches and packed lunches are available in some accommodations, you will be advised on your listing of what is available.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel/BBs along the West Highland Way route
Stay in a selection of cozy Bed and Breakfasts or hotels along the West Highland Way route.
What’s Included in the Self-guided West Highland Way Trek?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included. Packed lunches can be booked and paid for on arrival at your accommodation.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes luggage transfers for your luggage; however, you are in charge of any personal transfers needed.
Also Included
- Detailed documents, guides, route maps, and GPX tracks
- Emergency telephone support hotline for the duration of the tour
- Pre-planned route
Not included
- Flights
- Guide services
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Travel insurance
- Tourist hotel tax, payable each night at hotel
- Visas if required
- Airport transfers
- Gratuities for drivers, servers, or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Single occupancy upgrades
Frequently Asked Questions about Self-guided 8-day West Highland Way Trek
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