An introduction to the West Highland Way

How long is the West Highland Way?

The West Highland Way covers a distance of around 96 miles (153km).

Where does the route start and finish?

The route starts in Milngavie near the city of Glasgow, and makes its way north to Fort William.

How long does it take?

It can be easily done in a week off work with either or both weekends tacked on. Doing the walk in six days is demanding and allows no rest (or easy) days. Seven or eight days is much more comfortable, especially if you have limited experience of distance walking. You can make nine days of it by breaking the Drymen to Rowardennan section at Balmaha, allowing time to visit Inchcailloch. Your walk must become what you want it to be – not a forced march. If you can, take your time and use it as a gateway to exploration of the countryside that lies to either side of it.

How hard and how remote is the route?

It's not an easy route but nor is it outrageously demanding as it passes between the mountains rather than up and over them. Also, because the route is based on many old drove roads and military tracks, it is never that far from help – the only real sense of isolation comes with the crossing of Rannoch Moor.

When is the best time of year to walk the West Highland Way?

May to October is probably the better season for walking the West Highland Way – the evenings are longer, the facilities are likely to be open and the weather may be easier to deal with. The weather will always be a consideration when planning a long-distance trek. However, you must be prepared for the best and the worst that Scotland can throw at you. Apart from weather considerations it is worth bearing in mind that motorbike trials happen on parts of the Way in early May. Deer stalking also takes place between mid August and mid October although this should have a minimal impact, if any, on West Highland Way walkers.