Scotland - West Highland Way

Welcome to Milngavie! A charming little town surrounded by stunning nature. Spend the evening exploring the village’s cozy streets and squares. Tomorrow, the journey truly begins!

Today’s hike starts at the obelisk in Milngavie. From here, you’ll continue into a stunning landscape of hills and lochs. Before reaching Drymen, we recommend visiting the Glengoyne Distillery, a highlight of the journey.
19.5 km, +214 m, -394 m

We leave Drymen and head out along the beautiful shores, forests, and moors of Loch Lomond up to Conic Hill, where the summit offers fantastic views of the loch and the islands below. This marks the Highland Boundary Fault and the official start of the Scottish Highlands. From here, you’ll descend to the charming village of Balmaha before continuing along the water to Rowardennan. (An extra day here can be arranged if you wish to climb Ben Lomond).
23 km, +369 m, -396 m

Today’s hike takes you in the shadow of Ben Lomond and follows the Loch Edge Trail. Along the way, you’ll pass Rob Roy’s prison and cave, where he is said to have stayed during difficult times and kept prisoners for his own amusement. Stop at the hotel in Inversnaid for a well-deserved drink before continuing to Ardlui. If you wish to hike a bit further, you can either continue to Beinglas Farm or Inverarnan Drover’s Inn, from where you can take a taxi back to the hotel (not included).
19 km, +280 m, -286 m

You can start the day by either taking a taxi to Crianlarich or a ferry on Loch Lomond, where you’ll resume the hike. Shortly after starting, you’ll pass through Glen Falloch and its famous waterfalls, with views toward Ben More. From here, the hike continues over a lush and beautiful green hill into the scenic Glen Fillan valley. Amid rivers and green hills, you’ll find the remains of Robert the Bruce’s parsonage. From there, the hike continues past the lively little village of Tyndrum, which today is known for its nearby gold and silver reserves.
24/12 km, +549 m, -331 m

Today’s route is a bit shorter but incredibly beautiful and picturesque. You’ll start by hiking past the dome-shaped mountains Ben Odhar, Ben Lui, and Ben Dorain to Bridge of Orchy and Auch Farm. From here, the trail continues toward Inveroran and Loch Tulla, a beautifully situated loch surrounded by Scottish pines. Weather permitting, the hike can include Mam Carraigh, a large hill with stunning views. Accommodation is limited here, so you’ll stay in one of the nearby villages.
12/15 km, +275 m, -337 m

The day begins with a hike back to Loch Tulla. From here, we follow the old military road through beautiful wilderness and the heather-covered moorlands of Rannoch Moor. The landscape begins to change here, becoming increasingly expansive, with views over large hollows that were once filled with glaciers. The final stretch to Glencoe and Kingshouse is truly stunning and peaceful.
19/15.5 km, +450 m, -370 m

We leave Kingshouse behind and hike toward one of Scotland’s most impressive mountains, Buachaille Etive Mor. From here, the trail ascends the “Devil’s Staircase” to an elevation of 563 meters. The views from the mountain are absolutely incredible and well worth the effort. You then continue down to the head of Loch Leven, where you’ll also enjoy stunning views of the Blackwater Dam, Loch Leven, and The Pap of Glencoe. The evening and night are spent in the charming little glen village of Kinlochleven.
14.5 km, +362 m, -598 m

The day begins with a climb up the steep slopes of the Mamore hills. From here, you continue along old Victorian hunting paths before returning to the old military road. The final stretch of the journey takes you over the Lairigmor Pass and through dense coniferous forest to Glen Nevis, at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK. The final evening and night are spent in Fort William.
25 km, +543 m, -545 m

We on EverTrek hope you have had a great trip!

We hope to see you again.

Welcome to Drymen! This is a picturesque little town north of Glasgow, often referred to as the gateway to the Highlands. Take the opportunity to explore the town’s beautiful architecture, cozy little streets, and the small “teashops” serving delicious homemade cakes and fine tea. The first night will be spent in a charming guesthouse, which over the years has become a favorite among our guests.

The day begins with a hike up Conic Hill, where you can enjoy views over Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch. The descent takes you to Balmaha, a picturesque and charming little village. From here, you leave civilization behind for a while and immerse yourself in nature. In this part of the hike, you’ll follow narrow trails along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, surrounded by stunning scenery. Today’s destination is the charming village of Rowardennan, where you’ll stay at the Rowardennan Hotel, located right on the loch. The hotel’s restaurant offers carefully selected dishes that provide a true taste of Scotland—a real highlight of the journey.

We recommend staying an extra night in Rowardennan if you wish to climb Ben Lomond as well.
23 km, +369 m, -396 m

Today’s hike takes you in the shadow of Ben Lomond and follows the Loch Edge Trail. Along the way, you’ll pass “the Scottish Robin Hood,” Rob Roy’s prison and cave, where he is said to have stayed during difficult times and kept prisoners for his own amusement. At the end of the day, we recommend stopping at the hotel in Inversnaid for a well-deserved drink before continuing on to Ardlui.

If you wish to hike a bit further, you can either continue to Beinglas Farm or Inverarnan Drover’s Inn, from where you can take a taxi back to the hotel (not included).

Tonight, you’ll stay at a 3-star hotel located on the western side of the loch. The hotel features two restaurants, a lounge, and bars, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable evening.
19 km, +280 m, -286 m

Today you have a choice between two options:

You are faced with a very long hike from Ardlui to Loch Tulla. If you are a strong and experienced hiker, this should pose no problem. If not, we recommend using the pre-booked taxi (included in the package) to reach Crianlarich, thereby shortening the hike to a more manageable length.

Crianlarich lies at the foot of another large peak, Ben More. The mostly valley route passes the old St. Fillan’s monastery, associated with both Robert Bruce and Rob Roy, through the moraines of Dalrigh, where Bruce was defeated in 1306, and then via the old mining village of Tyndrum, where gold has recently been discovered. The trail continues up and past the peaks of Ben Lui and Ben Dorain to Bridge of Orchy before finally reaching Loch Tulla (Inveroran), a beautifully situated loch surrounded by Scottish pines and breathtaking views.

You will stay either at the Inveroran Hotel, a cozy little hotel surrounded by small streams and old bridges. If you have chosen the “Upgraded Accommodation,” you will stay at The Bridge of Orchy Hotel, a charming hotel beautifully located by a river and surrounded by stunning scenery.
25 km, +559 m, -548 m

Today’s hike begins along an old military road, surrounded by lush wilderness and the heather-covered moorlands of Rannoch Moor. In this area, you’ll also pass Ba Bridge, said to be the most remote part of the route.

The views become increasingly expansive, with vistas over large hollows that were once filled with glaciers—a stunning interplay of land, loch, mountains, and sky. The trail winds down to the old Drovers Inn, a restaurant and hotel near the narrow Glencoe valley. Here, you’ll be in the shadow of perhaps the most impressive mountain of the journey, Buachaille Etive Mor—the herder of Etive Mor.

The evening and night are spent at the KingsHouse Hotel, a blend of old and modern. The hotel is situated in the middle of the plain, surrounded by spectacular scenery with towering mountains and beautiful pastures, where you may sometimes spot deer running around.
15 km, +306 m, -234 m

From KingsHouse Hotel, the hike passes one of Scotland’s most impressive mountains, Buachaille Etive Mor (the Shepherd), and then gradually ascends the Devil’s Staircase to an elevation of about 560 m. From here, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the landscape below. The trail then descends to the beautiful Loch Leven, with views over the Blackwater Dam, Loch Leven, and the mountain The Pap of Glencoe. Today’s hike ends in Kinlochleven, a small glen village beautifully situated by the River Leven.

In Kinlochleven, you’ll stay at a charming little guesthouse that has become popular among our travelers—a perfect end to a wonderful day!
14 km, +362 m, -598 m

Today’s hike begins with a steep climb under the slopes of the Mamore Hills. You’ll follow old Victorian hunting tracks until you return to the old military road.

The hike continues through the Lairigmor Pass valley, through dense coniferous forest to Glen Nevis, and then past the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK (1,345 m). Finally, you’ll reach the journey’s end in Fort William.

In Fort William, we use a variety of bed & breakfasts and guesthouses, as it is a very popular town.
25 km, +543 m, -545 m

We at EverTrek hope you have had a great trip!

We hope to see you again.