All activities / Trekking / Hiking / West Highland Way
Trekking / Hiking in West Highland WayGB
Scotland's first and most famous long-distance path: 96 miles from Glasgow's edge past Loch Lomond and Rannoch Moor to the foot of Ben Nevis.
Why here
The West Highland Way is Scotland's first and most walked long-distance route: 96 miles from Milngavie on Glasgow's edge along the full length of Loch Lomond, across the emptiness of Rannoch Moor, and down Glen Nevis to Fort William beneath Britain's highest mountain. What makes it internationally distinct is the infrastructure culture: a mature ecosystem of baggage transfer, village B and Bs, and self-guided packages that lets you walk hut-free with a daypack and a dram at the end of each stage, a model the big operators ship thousands of walkers through every year. Seven to nine days, no technical ground, and weather that is itself a Scottish cultural experience.
Best months
May, June, and September are the sweet spots; July and August work but bring midges and full guesthouses. Book accommodation months ahead for the season. The route is low-level but exposed across Rannoch Moor; rain gear is non-negotiable.
Getting there & around
Start at Milngavie, 25 minutes by train from Glasgow; finish at Fort William with rail and bus connections back. Self-guided packages bundle lodging and daily bag transfer; walking south to north is the convention.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate
Schools & guides (2)
Absolute Escapes
OutfitterEdinburgh self-guided walking specialist and AITO member, building West Highland Way itineraries with baggage transfer and stage-end accommodation.
Macs Adventure
OutfitterGlasgow-based self-guided walking specialist sending around 4,000 walkers along the West Highland Way each year with lodging and baggage transfer arranged.