How long is the West Highland Way? What is the best time of year to hike the West Highland Way?
I get it. So many questions. I had a bunch as well before I set off on this incredible long distance trek through Scotland. All the main questions I had on the West Highland Way before I departed are below – concisely answered, short and sweet.
The number one question is ‘how long is the West Highland Way?’ Answer 96 miles or 154 kms!
If any of your questions aren’t answered here, feel free to contact me. Happy to help.
West Highland Way FAQs
What is the West Highland Way?
The West Highland Way is a long distance walk in Scotland starting in the lowlands of suburban Glasgow (Milngavie) and ending 96 miles further in Fort William under the shadow of the UK’s highest mountain Ben Nevis. Much of the trail is along ancient drove roads where drovers would drive their cattle to market and old military roads built by the British to quash Jacobite uprisings in the Highlands. The route takes you past Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch and through spectacular mountain scenery into the Highlands. Read my post on ‘What is the West Highland Way – 18 quick facts’ here.
How long is the West Highland Way?
The West Highland Way is 96 miles (154km) from Milngavie to Fort William. You can read more about the WHW route here.
Where is the West Highland Way start?
The West Highland Way route starts in Milngavie (pronounced Milguy), a suburb of Glasgow. Milngavie is very easy to get to by train taking around 20 minutes from Glasgow’s Queen St station. Read my post on where the West Highland Way starts here.
Can a beginner do the West Highland Way?
Yes the West Highland Way is the perfect long distance trek for beginners because there is little elevation and the route is not technical. Most walkers do not use trekking poles for the West Highland Way.
What is the best month to walk the West Highland Way?
May and September are the best months to walk the West Highland Way purely because this is outside ‘midge season’. Midges are a very real problem in Scotland during the peak summer months. August is the worst. These tiny insects can ruin your trekking holiday and this is no joke. I also love trekking in April around Easter. It’s a little chillier and there is normally a light dusting of snow still on the peaks however weather can be lovely and there are less people on the route. Read my post on the best time to do the West Highland Way here.
Can I wild camp along the West Highland Way?
Wild camping is permitted as per the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) along most of the West Highland Way route apart from in LLTNP permit areas. There are also many campsites along the route which the baggage transfer companies deliver to! This, along with the low cost and flexibility on not having to book in advance (unless it’s July/August or a bank holiday) draws many WHW trekkers to camp the trail. Please be responsible and leave no trace.
Are there toilets along the West Highland Way?
There are plenty of facilities along the West Highland Way that have toilets for trekkers. From hotels, to bars, cafes or public toilets, you shouldn’t ever be that far from a toilet. The longest stretch without bathroom facilities is the remote stage from Kinlochleven to Fort William where there are no facilities at all. Please be responsible if nature calls in the wild. Ziplock bags or a spade please. Don’t be that person that leaves toilet paper ….
How fit do you need to be to walk the West Highland Way?
Beginner trekkers can hike the West Highland Way due to its lack of significant elevation. That being said this 96 mile long distance trail is not easy so don’t be fooled into thinking that no training is required. This is still a 7 to 8 day back to back trek. Long accumulated days on the trail can lead to blisters, ankle or knee injuries and shoulder pain from your backpack. Most trekkers do not feel the need for hiking poles on the West Highland Way. Train with the boots you intend to hike in and the pack you intend to carry. Make sure you have done at least a few back to back weekends in training to prepare for the West Highland Way. Make sure you are walking regularly and take the stairs (always).
Are trekking poles required for the West Highland Way?
No trekking poles are not necessary for the West Highland Way due to the lack of elevation on the trail. However if you like to trek long distance with poles, there are no hard and fast rules – bring them.
What is the hardest stage of the West Highland Way?
The hardest part of the West Highland Way is from Rowardennan to Inversnaid and then Inversnaid to Ardleish (the end of Loch Lomond). This part of the West Highland Way route follows Loch Lomond’s rocky east shoreline. It’s technical and takes a lot of time. There are plenty of steep steps and boulders to step over and many hikers get caught out with how long this section takes. Many trekkers actually give up by the time they reach Crianlarich because they think the trail will continue to be so difficult. This is NOT the case and the best is still to come. You can read about how to by pass these hard sections in my short cuts article.
What are the most spectacular sections of the West Highland Way?
The most spectacular sections of the West Highland Way in my opinion are the last three days from Bridge of Orchy across Rannoch Moor northwards up to Fort William. This means you would cross Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse (a fabulous stay with unrivalled scenery), pass Buachaillie Etive More (the ‘Big Shepherd of Etive’ – the most photographed mountain in Scotland), climb the Devil’s Staircase and walk across the stunning Allt a ‘Choire Odhair-bhig before descending into Kinlochleven. The following day a highlight is passing the ruined cottage of Tigh-na-sleubhaich before finally seeing Ben Nevis come into view.
If you don’t have much time, want to experience the best of the trail and have 3 days I would start at Bridge of Orchy or if you have only 2 days available start at Kingshouse and continue north. This means you would cut out the first 4-5 days of the trek which have less wow moments.
What at the stages of the West Highland Way?
There are 7 stages however stage 3 is particularly long and difficult so many divide this stage into two creating 8 stages.
Stage 1 – Milngavie – Drymen 12.5 miles (20km)
Stage 2 – Drymen – Balmaha – Rowardennan 15 miles (24 km)
Stage 3 – Rowardennan – Inversnaid – Inverarnan – Crianlarich 20 miles (32.5km)
Stage 4 – Crianlarich – Bridge of Orchy 13.25 miles (21.3km)
Stage 5 – Bridge of Orchy – Kingshouse 12 miles (19.4km)
Stage 6 – Kingshouse – Kinlochleven 8.75 miles (14km)
Stage 7 – Kinlochleven – Fort William 15 (24km)
Click here to read more about the stages
Click here to read how to shorten stages by taking public transport
Can I shorten the stages by taking public transport on the West Highland Way?
Yes there are a variety of ways to shorten some of the West Highland Way stages. It is good to know where these short cuts lie in case of a non-serious injury, sickness, bad weather or exhaustion. You can read about all the short cuts on public transport here.
Is there a baggage transfer service on the West Highland Way?
Yes there are plenty of West Highland Way baggage transfer services. These companies offer an affordable and reliable service to ferry your bag from one stop to another. They deliver to hotels, B&Bs, bunkhouses and even to campsites along the trail. They are not able to deliver to Airbnbs.