West Highland Way – 9 Days
United KingdomWest Highland Way

West Highland Way – 9 Days

9 Days
Moderate to Challenging

West Highland Way – 9 Days

from $2,940 / person

Overview

The West Highland Way is Scotland's most popular long-distance trail, running 150 kilometres from just north of Glasgow along the shores of Loch Lomond and deep into the rugged highlands. Friendly Scottish hospitality marks every stop along the way.

Beginning in the lowlands, forest trails lead to the eastern shores of Loch Lomond before the route pushes north along old drover's roads and ancient military tracks. Rannoch Moor, one of Europe's last great wilderness areas, gives way to the famous Kingshouse Hotel, a sanctuary in the wilderness with views across to Buachaille Etive Mor, Scotland's most photographed mountain. From there, the Devil's Staircase climbs before descending to Kinlochleven, with the lively highland town of Fort William marking the end of the trail.

Highlights

  • Complete Scotland’s most popular long-distance hiking trail
  • Walk along the banks of Bonnie Loch Lomond
  • Enjoy the warmth of a Highland whisky and Scottish hospitality
  • Cross from Scotland’s lowlands into the rugged highlands
  • Hike across the beautiful wilderness of Rannoch Moor
  • Walk through Glen Nevis to the foot of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Glasgow / Edinburgh, transfer Milngavie

Just north of Glasgow is the small town of Milngavie, the official start of the West Highland Way. Easily reached by train from Glasgow (20mins) or Edinburgh (90mins), arrive at your leisure ahead of your first day of walking. If you already have plans to be in either city, you can always arrive at Milngavie station in the morning and start walking the same day. We can easily accommodate any pre-walk plans you may have.

Accommodation

3-star Hotel in Milngavie

What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (5 nights), 4-star Hotel (3 nights)

Meals

8 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Auswalk Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

15-31 km

Daily distance range

220-860 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Three-star hotels and guesthouses, with the occasional four-star property, carry you through eight nights on this walk, all chosen for their location along the West Highland Way. One property worth highlighting is the Kingshouse Hotel, which has been looking after walkers on this route for decades and remains one of the great stops on the Way. Hosts throughout are knowledgeable and happy to help with any questions, and the team is reachable throughout the walk should you need anything.

In more remote settings, alternative accommodation of equivalent standard may occasionally be necessary and any such changes will always be discussed with you in advance. Given how busy this route gets, booking as soon as your travel dates are confirmed is strongly recommended.

Single Rooms

If you are travelling with friends or family but would prefer your own room, please let us know at the time of booking. Single rooms can be arranged for an additional payment.

What You'll Eat

Scotland takes its breakfasts seriously, and eight are included throughout this walk, one each morning before heading out on the West Highland Way. Lunch and dinner are yours to find each day, and the hotels, pubs and local restaurants along the route offer good eating at most stops. 

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source in more remote parts of this walk.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Milngavie and finishes in Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands. Glasgow Airport (GLA) is the most convenient entry point, with good domestic and international connections. From the airport, a shuttle bus to Glasgow Central Station takes around 30 minutes, from where trains reach Milngavie in around 25 minutes. A scenic and popular alternative is the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston, departing around 11.00pm and arriving in Glasgow at around 7.30am. Always purchase your train ticket before boarding in the UK.

The walk ends in Fort William, which has good rail connections via the West Highland Line to Glasgow in around 4 hours and Edinburgh in around 5 hours. The Caledonian Sleeper also runs from Fort William to London Euston, departing at 11.00pm and arriving the following morning at 8.00am.

This walk is available from 1 April to 10 October, with no fixed start days. May is the most popular month, often with the least rainfall, most sunshine and long evenings. Spring brings wildflowers and quieter trails. July and August are the warmest months but also the busiest; midges around Loch Lomond can be a nuisance, so pack repellent. By late September the midges are gone, the crowds thin and the hills turn gold and amber. Pack waterproofs and layers whatever the month; in Scotland, four seasons in one day is not a figure of speech.

Terrain covers forest tracks, hill paths, bridleways, and moorland, with some rocky and loose sections underfoot.

Sturdy walking boots are essential, and layers are a must as Scottish weather can change quickly. An exercise regime of two to three times per week, with some longer walks incorporated, is recommended in preparation. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

West Highland Way reviews

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Karen M
3 months ago

I enjoyed the walk very much as it was well organised & having the luggage transferred on to the next location it made it way more enjoyable.

John B
10 months ago

The Universal Hikes app is superb. All of the locations were great. Entire walk went extremely well.

Karina S
10 months ago

On the whole the accommodation was excellent, very comfortable mattresses and lovely rooms. Auswalk took the hassle out of organising a walking holiday. All accommodation was well placed and very comfortable and the guide made each walking day seamless.

Glen W
last year

Auswalk did a good job in organising my walk on the West Highland Way in May 2025 and my contact went out of her way to meet my requirements. I was very happy with the logistics and notes for my walk, and I will consider having them organise future walks for me.

Frequently Asked Questions

The nearest major international gateway is Glasgow Airport, with Edinburgh Airport also well connected. The trail is accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh by train, and the walk finishes in Fort William — from where most walkers take the legendary West Highland Railway back to Glasgow, a scenic finale in its own right. Your specific start point will depend on your chosen itinerary.

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you carry only a light daypack on the trail. Note that luggage is subject to a weight limit — check your specific itinerary for details.

April through to early October are the best months, with May and June a particular sweet spot — long daylight hours, stable weather, and the landscape at its most spectacular. Be aware that midges (small biting insects) can be a nuisance from late June through August, particularly in still, damp conditions. Pack repellent and you'll be fine.

Scottish weather is famously unpredictable, so come prepared. A quality waterproof jacket, warm layers, and broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support are non-negotiable. Midge repellent is a must for summer months. A full gear list will be provided before departure.

Yes, and it's a condition of booking. Your policy should cover injury, cancellation, loss of luggage, and medical evacuation.

Tipping is not expected, though always appreciated if you feel those looking after you have gone above and beyond.

Want to Know More?

The West Highland Way experience

Wonder
Walk Scotland's most iconic long-distance route, 154 kilometres from Milngavie to Fort William
Walk the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond through ancient woodlands and alongside Scotland's largest loch
Arrive in Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles
Wellness
A warm camaraderie develops among walkers on the West Highland Way, whatever the weather brings
Taste single malt whisky at the Glengoyne Distillery, just off the path in the early stages of the walk
The Scottish hospitality on the Way, in small inns and Highland pubs, is warm and deeply memorable
Nature
Pastoral Campsie hills give way to the rugged grandeur of the Scottish Highlands over nine days
Cross the Devil's Staircase to the highest point on the trail at 550 metres, with Glencoe spread below
Buachaille Etive Mor, one of Scotland's most iconic mountains, watches over the crossing of Rannoch Moor