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Suggested itineraries

Walking the West Highland Way can take as little or as long as you would like – make it your own Way!

Below is a selection of suggested itineraries ranging from 5 to 7 days stopping at the main settlements along the West Highland Way.  For some more inspiration for things to do on a West Highland Way short break, view Some other ideas.

Some people find the stretch at the northern end of Loch Lomond (Inversnaid to Inverarnan) much more difficult and slow-going than expected, with challenging terrain, so please bear this in mind when working out how many miles to walk each day. If you can be flexible with dates, then you could also try starting your walk mid-week, making it easier to find accommodation later in your walk.

Some areas do have limited availability and people will organise their whole walk around the availability of accommodation. We would recommend that you book ahead as much as possible; if it is hard to find accommodation in one area, it may be an option to take transport back to your accommodation from the previous night (you may also get a better rate if spending more than one night).

Please see link here to our Accommodation & Services page for options, this list is not exhaustive and there are other options available. All the businesses advertising here are helping to contribute to the ongoing maintenance off the West Highland Way.

WHW1 ITINERARY (5 DAYS) DISTANCE
Day 1 Milngavie to Balmaha 20 miles
Day 2 Balmaha to Inverarnan 21 miles
Day 3 Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy 19 miles
Day 4 Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven 21 miles
Day 5 Kinlochleven to Fort William 15 miles

 

WHW3 ITINERARY (7 DAYS) DISTANCE
Day 1 Milngavie to Drymen 12 miles
Day 2 Drymen to Rowardennan 15 miles
Day 3 Rowardennan to Inverarnan 14 miles
Day 4 Inverarnan to Tyndrum 12 miles
Day 5 Tyndrum to Inveroran 9 miles
Day 6 Inveroran to Kinlochleven 19 miles
Day 7 Kinlochleven to Fort William 15 miles
WHW2 ITINERARY (6 DAYS) DISTANCE
Day 1 Milngavie to Balmaha 20 miles
Day 2 Balmaha to Inversnaid 14 miles
Day 3 Inversnaid to Crianlarich 13 miles
Day 4 Crianlarich to Inveroran 15 miles
Day 5 Inveroran to Kinlochleven 19 miles
Day 6 Kinlochleven to Fort William 15 miles

 

WHW4 ITINERARY (7 DAYS) DISTANCE
Day 1 Milngavie to Drymen 12 miles
Day 2 Drymen to Rowardennan 15 miles
Day 3 Rowardennan to Inverarnan 14 miles
Day 4 Inverarnan to Tyndrum 12 miles
Day 5 Tyndrum to Kingshouse 19 miles
Day 6 Kingshouse to Kinlochleven 9 miles
Day 7 Kinlochleven to Fort William 15 miles

If you don’t have the opportunity to take a week or more to walk the West Highland Way, why not complete it in smaller sections over weekends or short breaks?  Make sure to buy your official West Highland Way passport to record your progress!

There are several modes of transport available to allow you to split the route up, such as local buses, trains or Citylink coaches.

See below for some possible suggestions of how to break the route up:

2 day itineraries/weekend sections (5 sections)

  • Milngavie to Balmaha (20 miles) – bus as option for return transport
  • Balmaha to Inverarnan (21 miles) – bus or train at Ardlui
  • Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy (19 miles) – Citylink bus or train
  • Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven (21 miles) – local bus
  • Kinlochleven to Fort William (15 miles) – bus or train

Short breaks (3-4 days)

  • Milngavie to Rowardennan (27 miles) 3 days
  • Rowardennan to Tyndrum (26 miles) 3 days
  • Tyndrum to Kingshouse (19 miles) 2 days
  • Kingshouse to Fort William (24 miles) 2 days
  • Tyndrum to Fort William (43 miles) 4 days

For some more inspiration for things to do on a West Highland Way short break, view Some other ideas.

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