The West Highland Way is Scotland’s most celebrated long-distance trail — a 96-mile (154 km) route from Milngavie (just outside Glasgow) to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Following old drovers’ roads, lochside paths, and mountain passes, it captures the essence of Scottish walking holidays — dramatic, remote, and steeped in story.
The journey begins through the rolling Campsie Fells before tracing Loch Lomond’s wooded eastern shore, climbing over Rannoch Moor, and descending into the wild glens of Glen Coe and Glen Nevis. It’s a route that offers constant contrast — from quiet forest tracks to sweeping Highland vistas — and one that rewards every self-guided traveller with a deep sense of achievement.
The trail passes through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and ends in Lochaber, the Outdoor Capital of the UK — where Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis mark a spectacular finale.
Type: National Trail
Distance: 96 miles / 154 km
Start/End: Milngavie (near Glasgow) – Fort William
Time Required: 6–8 days
Terrain: Forest paths, lochside tracks, moorland, and old military roads
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging — long days and steady climbs
Accessibility: Excellent public transport at both ends; luggage transfer and accommodation widely available
Milngavie to Balmaha
Gentle countryside paths leading north through farmland and forest, finishing beside Loch Lomond.
Balmaha to Inverarnan
Follows the eastern shore of Loch Lomond — rugged, wooded, and full of Highland atmosphere.
Inverarnan to Tyndrum
Cross the Highlands proper, following old military roads beneath Ben Lomond and across open moor.
Tyndrum to Kingshouse
The most remote stretch, crossing Rannoch Moor’s vast wilderness toward the mountains of Glen Coe.
Kingshouse to Fort William
Spectacular finale through the Devil’s Staircase and down Glen Nevis beneath Ben Nevis.
Towns & Villages: Milngavie, Balmaha, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven, Fort William
Accommodation: B&Bs, lodges, hostels, and inns along the full route
Food & Drink: Traditional pubs, walkers’ cafés, and Highland inns
Culture & Heritage: Ancient routes, Jacobite history, Highland clans, and wartime tales