Overview
The West Highland Way is Scotland’s most popular long-distance walking route. It stretches 154km from Milngavie to Fort William, taking in a huge variety of scenery, from countryside fields and forests to loch shores and from open moorlands to rugged mountains. Enjoy some moderate to strenuous walking on this 5-day short break in the Highlands between Tyndrum and Fort William. The route is perfectly signposted, with well-maintained paths and tracks throughout. Accommodation, services and refreshments are also conveniently located from start to finish, providing opportunities for a comfortable and relaxing end to a tough day’s walking.
Full list of our West Highland Way itineraries is available here.
- Scottish Highlands
- Bridge of Orchy
- Tyndrum
- Loch Tulla
- Devil’s Staircase
Click to view map
*This map is only for general reference; detailed route maps will be provided in your pre-departure package.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Tyndrum
Today you arrive in the small village of Tyndrum. Tyndrum is easily reachable from Glasgow by public transport (approx. 2 hours).
- Accommodation: Tigh Na Fraoch B&B or similar in Tyndrum
Day 2: Tyndrum to Kingshouse/Glencoe | 31km or 21km
From Tyndrum, the route closely follows the railway and the road. By this stage, you are firmly in the Scottish Highlands, and the view will be spectacular from here, all the way to Fort William. The path uses an old military road throughout this stage (and continues right across Rannoch Moor). This is also the most exposed section of the route so far with little protection from the elements. The path climbs out of Bridge of Orchy through a coniferous forest, eventually providing lovely views across to Loch Tulla. The path then passes the Inveroran Hotel, before the long stretch across the edge of the wild and eerily remote Rannoch Moor, passed the Glencoe Ski Centre and into the fabulous mountain range of Glencoe and the isolated Kings House Hotel.
You can split this long day in two by adding an extra night in Bridge of Orchy. It can also be shortened by taking the bus/train to Bridge of Orchy.
- Walking for the day: 31km, 8-9h ↑450m
- Walking for the day from Bridge of Orchy: 21km, 5h 30min, highest point: 450m
- Accommodation: Kingshouse Hotel or similar in Glencoe
Day 3: Kingshouse/Glencoe to Kinlochleven | 14.5km
This stage of the West Highland Way includes the infamous Devil’s Staircase, the steepest climb of the route, reaching the highest point of the entire mile journey (made easier by the zig-zag path up the hill). The views from the top are spectacular. The track away from the staircase towards Kinlochleven signals an escape from the Glencoe Mountains and offers a long descent along excellent tracks all the way into the town.
- Walking for the day: 14.5km, 4.5-5.5h, highest point: 550m
- Accommodation: Tigh Na Cheo Guesthouse or similar in Kinlochleven
Day 4: Kinlochleven to Fort William | 25km
The climb out of Kinlochleven is a steep ascent through a beautiful little forest. The view from the top provides a fabulous view down to Loch Leven and the village. The old military road then passes through a wide valley on the edge of Mamore mountain range, known as Lairigmor, before turning towards Glen Nevis through forested areas. The path gradually descends as the way approaches Fort William, with a final stretch along the road into Fort William centre.
- Walking for the day: 25km, 6-7h, highest point: 330m
- Accommodation: Guisachan House B&B or similar in Fort William
Day 5: Departure
Return home or individual stay extension.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in nice hotels and B&Bs, all offering comfortable en-suite double or twin rooms. All places have been carefully hand-picked by us, and their quality is regularly monitored. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Show the default hotels for this trip
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at the guesthouse you are staying at or at the village pubs and restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
Although daily elevation gains are not very big, you should be prepared to walk up to 8h per day. Some days will be more challenging than others and the terrain will be varied with some rough and rugged footpaths (read more about difficulty grades). The route is well signposted throughout, however, walkers must be vigilant at all times as there are paths and junctions along the way which deviate from the main route. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available to commence every day from 20 March till 21 October.
The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Up-to-date travel advice on the United Kingdom is available here (for Canadian citizens) and here (for US citizens). Some funny but useful travel advice about Scotland is available here. 😊
Click to view travel options and route planner
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Glasgow.
By train or bus
- Glasgow: There are excellent air, train and bus services, allowing easy access anywhere in the UK and overseas.
- Tyndrum: The average journey time between Glasgow Queen Street and Tyndrum is 2h 5min (approx. 9 trains on weekdays).
- Fort William: The main routes out of Fort William are by bus and train to Glasgow. The journey, whether by rail or coach, is an absolutely glorious trip with stunning scenery throughout
- A great website useful specifically for public transport planning within Scotland is Traveline Scotland.
Inclusions
Included
- Pre-booked accommodation as per the itinerary on 4 nights in B&B’s, small hotels and guesthouses
- Full breakfast each morning
- Door-to-door luggage transfers on all walking days
- Access to your digital pre-departure information (your accommodation list, GPS map of the route, baggage transfer information, itineraries, route information of cafes, restaurants, local bus timetables, etc.)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement for members of a group
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights along the route or in Glasgow are available upon request
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