The West Highland Way (8 days, 7 nights)
Price (from)
Difficulty
Tour information
The West Highland Way is one of the country’s best loved long distance walking routes.
Walk the West Highland Way and you will discover the beauty and wild landscapes of Scotland travelling from Milngavie to Fort William in the north.
The route stretches 96 miles (154km) taking in a variety of scenery from countryside parks to loch-shores, open moorlands to steep mountains.
Included/Excluded
- Accommodation at the stated category with breakfast
- Luggage Transfers
- Full Tour Pack with colour coded routes on local maps
- Smartphone App with GPS routes
- 24-hr emergency helpline
- Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
- Entrance to attractions
- Buses and/or Ferries unless otherwise stated
- Tourist Taxes where applicable
- Taxis unless otherwise stated
Itinerary
By Road:
London via M40 & A40 (app 2hr). Birmingham via A435 (app 1hr; 36 miles) or M40 (app 1hr; 50 miles). Bristol via M5 (app 1hr 15min; 65 miles)
By Ferry:
The sea ports of Dover, Portsmouth or Southampton will require a train journey to Cheltenham Spa/Moreton in Marsh and then a bus or transfer as outlined above, or with prior notice Compass can arrange parking for your own car.
By Rail:
London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh (app 1hr 45min) then bus to Chipping Campden (app 45min) or taxi (app 15min; 10 miles).
Birmingham Moor Street to Stratford-Upon-Avon (app 50min) then 7 min walk to bus stop then bus to Chipping Campden (25-45min).
Bristol Temple Meads to Moreton-in-Marsh via Didcot & Oxford (2hrs 30min) then bus to Chipping Campden (app 45min) or taxi (app 15min; 10 miles)
By Bus:
A number of local buses and taxis run along the route. Compass Holidays will be more than happy to assist visitors in booking a taxi transfer. Local timetables can also be obtained and shared with visitors. The times are seasonal and vary throughout the year.
By Air:
The nearest airports for the trail are Birmingham and Bristol, however access is still easy from London. Trains to Cheltenham Spa or Moreton in Marsh provide the best start with the option of a bus to Chipping Campden or alternatively Compass Holidays can arrange a transfer for a small additional charge.
Stay overnight
On leaving Drymen, join the West Highland Way as it heads towards Conic Hill. The view from Conic Hill is world class, and your first taste of the epic landscapes you will experience on the West Highland Way.
Below you, stretching across the world-famous Loch Lomond, are a chain of islands that mark the highland boundary fault, the literal threshold between the lowlands and the highlands of Scotland.
After tearing yourself away from the views of Loch Lomond you descend into the tiny village of Balmaha where you can enjoy a hearty meal and refreshments or learn about the area in the National Park Visitor Centre. Continue along the shores of Loch Lomond before reaching Rowardennan.
Stay overnight in Rowardennan. Luggage will be transferred.
This section takes in the northern, more remote section of Loch Lomond where the waters plunge to a depth of 620 feet. The terrain is challenging particularly north of Inversnaid but the sense of wildness and soaring mountains are worth the extra care and attention needed.
A highlight of this section is the spectacular waterfall at Inversnaid. West Highland Way walkers can get up close as the route takes a footbridge over the waterfall as it cascades down into Loch Lomond.
Stay overnight in Inveranan. Luggage will be transferred.
Today’s hike is a wild and remote section of the West Highland Way and one of the last great wildernesses of Europe. On a good day this area offers relatively straightforward walking but if the weather isn’t favourable, ensure you are wrapped up from the elements as it may be tough going across exposed ground.
Stay overnight in Tyndrum. Luggage will be transferred.
Today’s walk takes you past the Ba Bridge. This is halfway across the moor and an obvious rest point to take in the views. It can be bleak and beautiful at the same time depending on the conditions! A short distance after this on your left, the ruins of Ba cottage may offer some slight shelter or a lovely spot for lunch.
The undulating old military road eventually brings your march past the Glencoe Ski Centre, Black Rock Cottage and within view of one of Scotland’s most photographed mountains, Buachaille Etive Mor.
Stay overnight in Kingshouse. Luggage will be transferred.
Leaving from Kingshouse brings you face to face with the imposing sight of Buachaille Etive Mor, one of Scotland’s most famous Munros.
The mountains name aptly translates to The Great Herdsman of Etive, sitting at the entrance to Glen Etive on the left and the scene of the James Bond film Skyfall, with the historic Glen Coe on the right; the scene of the massacre of Clan MacDonald in 1692.
You’ll make your way towards Altnafeadh close to the foot (and starting point!) of Buachaille Etive Mor, before turning sharply right for the Devil’s Staircase. This zig-zag climb will take you up to the highest point of the West Highland Way at 550m and marked by a cairn, with breathtaking views back to ‘The Buachaille’ and northwards towards the Mamores mountain range.
After your climb up the Devil’s Staircase, the Way thankfully meanders across the moorland before heading down to Kinlochleven.
Stay overnight in Kinlochleven. Luggage will be transferred.
This last section section begins with a steep climb out of Kinlochleven, eventually relenting and giving you superb views down Loch Leven and back to Kinlochleven.
Ahead of you is Lairigmor (the great pass) which provides easy walking between steep and grand mountains. The path follows the glen as it bends to the north, reaching woodland before heading towards Glen Nevis.
The Way continues through forestry plantations while Britain’s highest mountain Ben Nevis comes into view. There is plenty opportunity to climb this from the valley floor should you wish! Before the last section and descent to Fort William, you could also make a small detour and visit the remains of Dun Deardail, an Iron Age fort located in Glen Nevis.
You are now on the home stretch of the West Highland Way where Fort William and celebrations await. Make your way into the centre of town to the finish for a photo opportunity with the bronze statue of a fellow walker at Gordon Square.
Stay overnight in Fort William. Luggage will be transferred.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to walk/cycle every day of my trip?
Absolutely not! You can enjoy additional stop overs at various points along the tour if you would like more time to explore the local area.
We can also add additional days to the start and end of your trip to allow you to explore and relax.
If you would like to add rest days or additional nights to your trip please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss your specific requirements. We’re happy to tailor your trip to suit you!
How does the luggage transfer service work?
We offer a luggage transfer service across most of our tours so you don’t have to worry about your luggage during your vacation. We pick up your luggage on the morning you are moving accommodation and take it direct to your next stop.
How far can I walk or cycle each day?
How far you choose to travel each day depends on your individual fitness levels and how long you want to spend walking or cycling.
We have a wide range of tours to suit all fitness levels.
All our itineraries specify the daily mileage and the difficulty level of the tour.
If you would like to make adjustments to a tour to suit your specific needs, please contact us at info@compass-holidays.com to discuss a bespoke tour. We are good at this!
What about places to eat?
All our tours come with bed and breakfast as standard.
In some more remote locations, accommodation providing breakfast may not be possible but we will find you somewhere to get breakfast nearby. This will be covered in the price of your trip.
Our tours do not include lunch and dinner as standard, though some accommodations do offer packed lunches and dinner options at an additional charge. Please let us know if you would like this option when booking.
How fit do I have to be?
Our tours all vary in degrees of hardness.
We specify the difficulty level of all of our tours on our website. The itineraries also give an indication of the gradients travelled on any given day.
If you would like to discuss this in more detail with our travel experts please contact us prior to booking.
What ages do you cater for?
Both our walking and cycling tours can cater for travellers of all ages. Distance is listed on each of the tours. If you are unsure about the distance covered, please call us on +44(0) 1242 250 642.
All of our routes have been tried and tested by our expert team with lots of stop-offs and attractions so younger members of the team can rest and enjoy all that’s on offer. Please call us on +44(0) 1242 250 642 at the time of booking to discuss your exact requirements.
Cycling equipment
We have a large range of bikes and accessories suited to adults and budding cyclists. We also offer a tag along (tandem) (please note it is not fully enclosed and waterproof but a single wheeled bike that attaches to the adult bike). We can also provide fully enclosed and waterproof trailers for younger children.
What day can I start my tour?
Most of our tours can be taken at any time but there are some which start on specific days which are usually Saturday to Saturday.
To find out more information, please call our expert travel team on +44 (0) 1242 250 642 or email info@compass-holidays.com.
What type of accommodation is included?
Our holidays are priced with 3* hotel, B&B as standard. These accommodations are hand picked for our tours.
Where a bespoke or luxury option is required please contact us on +44 (0) 1242 250642.
Can I bring my dog with me?
Several of our tours do have the option to bring your four-legged friend with you, depending on availability.
Please contact our expert travel team on +44(0) 1242 250 642 to find out which tours your dog will love too!
