The trail is usually in good condition and not particularly difficult, although there are some big hills and steep climbs. Is definitely waterproof, i can confirm that considering the weather we endured. The west highland way is a walking trail running for 152km through the southern and western highlands of scotland, from glasgow to fort william. This guide to walking the west highland way contains all the information you could need along the route, a detailed faq with trail information and some tips for tackling this. West highland way walking tour wilderness scotland. Jul 18, 2018 the west highland way whw was opened in 1980 and became the first of four national trails to be designated in scotland. The west highland way is a 96mile hike which starts just outside of glasgow in milngavie and ends in fort william many then go on to hike the munro, ben nevis. Each of the beautifully photographed areas has a piece of knitwear which was inspired by that specific part of the west highland way.
Not the west highland way guidebook cicerone press. Opened in 1980, the west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular, with more than 15,000walkers tackling it each year. The book points out the various geological changes as the whw progresses northward as well throwing in historical information of key landmarks and quoting famous writers and. It stretches 96 miles north from milngavie, in the northern suburbs of glasgow to fort william, a highland town nestled at the foot of ben nevisthe highest mountain in the uk. The trail, which opened in 1980, was scotlands first officially designated long distance route, and is now. If you go this route, this guide with walking maps will be essential to figure it out. The west highland way is one of the worlds classic longdistance walks.
The west highland way route is spectacular, following the banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch moor and into the breathtaking beauty of glencoe and the very heart of the scottish highlands. West highland way holiday packages and baggage transfer. The west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains by far the most popular. The west highland way passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of britain.
Normally the route is completed from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier and will prepare you. Slighe na gaidhealtachd an iar is a linear longdistance footpath in scotland. Although the path is well marked, the scottish weather is more than unpredictable and needs to be respected. Hiking the scottish highlands west highland way walking tours.
Discover the spectacular landscape of scotlands western highlands while walking the west highland way, one of the worlds most famous longdistance trails. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It is one of four officiallyrecognised long distance routes in scotland. The book covers the entire west highland way, divided into walkable sections. The west highland way stretches 96 miles 154 km from milngavie to fort william. The west highland way map is simple to follow, passing through popular tourists spots like loch lomond and glencoe. Roger smith is an experienced writer and hillwalker with an extensive knowledge of the area covered in this book and its history. The west highland way is a 96 mile trek on scotlands most iconic long distance trail.
Guidebook to the west highland way walk, 152km 95 miles over 69 days from milngavie near glasgow to fort william. Stretching for 151km from milngavie on the edge of glasgow to fort william at the foot of ben nevis, the route offers a fabulous introduction to the scottish highlands. With addon day trips over ben lomond or beinn dorain. Well take a short train journey to milngavie, where well drop off our bags, and then we start our west highland way tour. Sep 21, 2010 not the west highland way describes alternative routes over mountains, smaller hills or high passes to all but one of the west highland way s nine stages, providing alternatives away from the main roads. West highland way guidebook and os map booklet cicerone. The west highland way was the first long distance footpath to be established in scotland. Our most popular itinerary is whw3 which covers the route in 7 days.
Find all the information you need to immerse yourself into the wild landscapes of scotland and the countrys best loved long distance walking route. Towering mountains, tranquil lochs and rushing rivers combine to reward you with a unique and varied landscape as you journey 96 miles from milngavie glasgow to fort william. It is 154 km 96 miles long, running from milngavie north of glasgow to fort william in the scottish highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. Ive walked the west highland way every june since 2016, when i stumbled on it during an ill planned, all on foot attempt of the 3 peaks challenge. This is the third book ive read as preparation for walking the west highland way whw. The first trip macs adventure ever ran was a guided trip along the west highland way back in 2003 it was the foundation for our whole company and ever since we have been running self guided walking tours to showcase the beauty of scotlands finest longdistance walk. The other three are the great glen way, speyside way and southern upland way. West highland way selfguided walking holiday macs adventure. The 152km route passes along the east of loch lomond the largest expanse of fresh water in britain and across rannoch moor scotlands grandest wilderness through some of. Nov 27, 2019 the west highland way is 96 mile walk through some of the finest scenery britain has to offer. The map is great to get an overview of each days distance and terrain we frequently checked it to get an idea of where we are and how long we had to go.
Ive been planning on doing the west highland way solo at the end of this month over 5 days. Can be done faster although the time scale it suggests it is done over is perfect for a leisurely holiday with plenty of stops in pubs along the way. The route begins in milngavie near glasgow and after 95 miles of outstanding scenery, finishes in fort william, at the foot of ben nevis, britains highest mountain. From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 96 miles 154. Jun 12, 2017 the west highland way guidebook by charlie loram is an invaluable source along the trail, as is the west highland way map by harvey. The trek takes you along the west coast of scotland and this west highland way packing list will advise you on what best to take in your backpack and day bag.
Not the west highland way describes alternative routes over mountains, smaller hills or high passes to all but one of the west highland ways nine stages, providing alternatives away from the main roads. Stop at glencoe, cairngorms national park, and fort augustus along the way, and upgrade to include a cruise on the legendary loch ness. Walking the west highland way 5 days is the most popular time frame however many visitors like to take longer, covering fewer miles in each day and spending more time in the towns, villages or campsites of the west coast. These trails are now called scotlands great trails of which there are 29. National trail guide trail guides reissue by anthony burton isbn. Knowing that im likely going to have postponemiss this years trek breaks my heart, but at the same time, i also know that however long it takes, the highlands will be waiting. We offer you the luxury of having your accommodation arranged for you, your bags moved, walking in a group with a qualified guide and a support van at all times, so you can skip parts of. Not only talks you through the journey but gives much history along with summary of distance between stops, heads up if there is accommodation to be found although mine all booked in advance, if there is somewhere to buy supplies, transport and terrain summary. The west highland way, stretching a distance of 96 miles from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow to fort william, the gateway to ben nevis great britains highest mountain, is scotlands original and most popular long distance walk, receiving on average upwards of 50,000 visitors per year. The official guide long distance guides 10th by bob aitken, roger smith isbn. Cons of planning the west highland way by yourself.
The west highland way affords you grand views of the southwest aspect of ben nevis. Opened in 1980 the west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular with more than 15000 walkers tackling it each year. In this collaborative creative project they celebrate their home, their workplace, and the landscape which inspires them every day. Now there is nothing like trekking 915 miles1525 kilometres a day to work up a massive appetite. West highland way walking holidays absolute escapes.
For those special people that have a goblet from this unique event. The west highland way, from milngavie to fort william, a distance of 95 miles hills, dense woodland and wildlife make it one of the favourites with hikers from all over the world. West highland way walking holidays from mickledore travel. The west highland waykate davies and tom barr live by scotlands bestloved longdistance walking route. The first trip macs adventure ever ran was a guided trip along the west highland way back in 2003 it was the foundation for our whole company and ever since we have been running self guided walking holidays to showcase the beauty of scotlands finest longdistance walk. The west highland way route is 154 km long and for those contemplating this trail for their walking holiday in scotland, some planning is required. West highland way prices self guided walking holiday. Jan 19, 2015 walking the west highland way 5 days is the most popular time frame however many visitors like to take longer, covering fewer miles in each day and spending more time in the towns, villages or campsites of the west coast. The 152km route passes along the east ofloch lomond, the largest expanse of fresh water in britain, and across. Walking the west highland way online guidebook for the west. Each leg of the west highland way will be featured here, along with all the information youll need to walk these sections. And of course, and most importantly, completing the west highland way.
The magic of walking in scotland can be distilled into this walk. Today youll meet your guide at glasgow queen street station at 8. Ive experience walking 20 miles a day for a couple. The west highland way ends close to the foot of ben nevis, whose climb can make a wonderful addition to your trip. West highland way guidebook and os map booklet cicerone press.
The official guide long distance guides 9th revised edition by roger smith isbn. The west highland way round is a 99km long distance walking trail. The west highland way whw was opened in 1980 and became the first of four national trails to be designated in scotland. Join us on a fun and friendly trek through beautiful highland scenery. The printed book is exactly the same price as the ebook and includes complementary downloads of the patterns too. The west highland way stretches 96 miles 154 km from milngavie to fort william, taking in a huge variety of scenery along the way, from countryside parks to lochshores and open moorlands to steep mountains. Although it is of course possible to walk from fort william to milngavie, the general advice is to use the more gentle terrain in the south as a warm. The west highland way is the most popular longdistance path in the country, passing through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of britain. Official guide book 10th edition opened in 1980 the west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular with more than 15000 walkers tackling it each year.
Milngavie to fort william scottish long distance route. That is why we have investigated the best places to eat along the way and put them together in this nifty interactive west highland way food guide and map. West highland way scottish highlands 2020 all you need to. It takes the west highland way in scotland as the starting point for knitwear design. The west highland way is a spectacular area in scotland.
From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 95 miles along the wooded banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch fully revised 5th edition of the first of trailblazers title series. The way west is the story of a wagon train travelling from missouri to oregon in the 1840s. Depart fort william me at the end of the west highland way in fort william. Following along the trail, the route down into glen nevis is a much more scenic one, albeit a little longer on the west highland way track than taking the more direct route to the valley bottom along the road. The west highland way embraces diversity, from the urbanity of milngavie to the days in the company of loch lomond, and then the striding splendour of rannoch moor. This is the book for hiking the west highland way, which is the penultimate hiking trail in scotland. Our miniadventure in scotland begins the west highland way, stretching a distance of 96 miles from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow to fort william, the gateway to ben nevis great britains highest mountain, is scotlands original and most popular long distance walk, receiving on average upwards of 50,000 visitors per year. West highland way walk with return cruise on loch lomond from tarbet. It runs from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow to fort william.
West highland way scotlands best loved long distance. Following along the trail, the route down into glen nevis is a much more scenic one, albeit a little longer on the west highland way track than taking the more direct route to. The haul from glencoe, under the gaze of buachaille etive mor, up the devils staircase, then into the hidden valley of lairig mor, are stages to be savoured. There is a lot of historical, geographical and geological information in this book. Slighe na gaidhealtachd an iar is a 95 mile 152km long distance walk from milngavie outside glasgow to fort william in the highlands of scotland. West highland way race family public group facebook.
West highland way our walking holidays see below for your options along the west highland way take you into the magnificent countryside of the highlands of scotland following most of scotlands famous footpath on its course from the south of loch lomond to fort william and ben nevis, linking britains largest loch lake with its highest. He has been writing books since the mid1980s, and is the author of over 100 titles. Fully revised 5th edition the west highland way passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of britain. From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 95 miles 152km along the wooded banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch moor, over the mountains above glencoe to a dramatic finish at the foot of ben nevis britains highest mountain. Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust any itinerary for you. West highland way scottish highlands 2020 all you need. A worthwhile trip that, takes you from just north of glasgow to the idyllic location of fort william. It is one of four officiallyrecognised longdistance routes in scotland. This is a brilliant map, just finished walking the west highland way over a very wet 6 days and this map was a great help. Kate began by creating a collection of twelve handknit designs, each with its own distinctive story. When walking the west highland way, this book was my bible. Friday i hopped the train directly to what most consider the best multiday hike in scotland, the west highland way.
Walking holidays in britains most beautiful landscapes. Revel in your success, then climb ben nevis, the highest mountain in scotland if you still have the energy to spare or head to your next adventure. Walking holidays in britains most beautiful landscapes 1166 ickledore walking holidays to ememer west highland way discover the dramatic mountain scenery of the west highlands on the classic scottish long distance route. The map shows good detail but remains easy to understand as well as having written explanations along each section. It runs from milngavie, on the outskirts of glasgow, to fort william. Excellent concise map and route plan for walking the west highland way. If the objective of a guide book is to impart essential information, then this new guide to the west highland way achieves that and famously. T he west highland way is the most popular longdistance trail in scotland not at last because it leads through and past some of the most iconic landscapes of the scottish highlands.
The route begins in milngavie near glasgow and after 95 miles of outstanding scenery, finishes in fort. Start of the west highland way, milngavie its what we do. The west highland way is one of the worlds best walks, its a classic longdistance trek, covering over 95 miles 152km from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow to fort william in the highlands. Well worth stopping in glengoyne distillery on your first. It follows a mixture of drovers tracks, and old military and coaching roads, and heads along lochs, through forests and up hills. These are the modest words that have become the motto of annual fundraiser, walk for jock that was started by team leader davie paterson of linlithgow in memory of his late brother jock and every september since 2008 the. Open up this book, join them on their journey, and make your own west highland way. Hayley fastpacks the west highland way in scotland in 3 days. We offer five suggested itineraries for walking the west highland way and have detailed the approximate distances for each stage. Receive a free training pack with an exclusive large outdoors tshirt, and the cicerone west highland way guide book. Splits it into nice legs and marks appropriate camp siteshotels. Plus, traveling in a topoftherange, 16seat mercedes minicoach means you can feel comfortable throughout the journey to and from edinburgh.