Last places
Way of Saint James from Sarria in group with guide
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Days
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Hours
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On foot

West Highland Way in 10 days

SERVICES
Standard
TYPE OF TRIP
Half distance
MODE
On your own
8 STAGES
10 DAYS
153 KM
DIF. ●●●○○
Travel one of the most authentic routes in the world.
Cross the Scottish Highlands from loch to loch
Take in Scotland's vast and mysterious landscapes
If there's one route that's breathtaking in the vastness of its landscapes and the drama of its mountains and valleys, it's the West Highland Way. Skirting the famous Loch Lomond and walking towards the moors of Rannoch Moor, you will come across small charming villages and places that invoke Scotland's epic past, its clans and its culture. A journey to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, with your eyes lost in the horizon and your ears ready for great stories.

Services

This programme includes these services.

A 10-day tour of the Scottish Highlands.
9 nights in private rooms with private bathroom inside. 
Bed and breakfast*.
Transfers between the route and the accommodation (if necessary*).
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes

Not included services

Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.

* The breakfasts can vary depending on the accommodation. They usually include an open buffet or, failing that, they are more abundant and caloric than a normal breakfast, as they are designed for a higher energy expenditure during your day.
* In some destinations, accommodation on the roadside fills up quickly and it is necessary to make reservations in nearby accommodation which require transfers by car. If this is the case, we will organise your arrival at your accommodation and your return to the route the following day.

Optional Services

A whole range of optional services are at your disposal, so that you can configure your trip to suit your needs.
Luggage transport
Private transfers
Half board (dinners)
Cancellation insurance
Complementary activities

Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Cancellation insurance

Free cancellation if you book through our website

Is this trip for me?

Type of trip: Half distance
Journeys to savour slowly, with the best of each space and that indescribable sensation of overcoming your own limits.
Type of services: Standard
Carefully selected tourist class accommodation based on our experience on this route, combined with services specifically designed for your trip.
Travel style: On your own
Programmes designed so that you can travel the route on your own, at the pace set by your steps. Full autonomy and the peace of mind of knowing that we are with you if you need us.
Physical demands: Hiking
Routes of small or medium physical demand, of medium distance (20-30 km / day) and surfaces that facilitate walking, and that can be covered autonomously.

Itinerary


Day 1. Starting the West Highland Way

The first day of your West Highland Way adventure is all about getting to your starting point. It's easiest to do this in the Scottish city of Glasgow, which has fantastic transport links. We recommend arriving in plenty of time to get to know the streets of Glasgow. Among the many wonders of the city, we recommend you pay special attention to its Victorian and Modernist architecture (by the famous architect and painter Mackintosh) or try its wonderful beer in one of its traditional pubs. But be careful... they are too easy to drink and you will still have to get to Milngavie, where you will start your first stage! Luckily, Milngavie is very well connected to the city centre.

Standard accommodation: Premier Inn or similar


Day 2. Milngavie - Drymen Stage

Distance: 19 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Drymen

The West Highland Way starts in the centre of Milngavie, where you can pick up last minute supplies and get your bearings before setting off on the first leg into Mugdock Country Park. The section from Milngavie to Drymen is a good warm-up for the rest of the route. It is a relatively flat section that provides an introduction to the diverse landscapes that will be encountered over the next 96 miles. Along the way, some small lakes and rivers can be seen, and the views open up to reveal the upland landscape beyond Drymen.

Standard accommodation: The Drymen Inn or similar


Day 3. Drymen - Rowardennan Stage

Distance: 24 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Rowardennan

On our second stage, we leave Drymen behind and continue along the West Highland Way towards Conic Hill. The views from Conic Hill are first class and the first taste of the epic landscapes we will experience on this route, starting with the immense Loch Lomond, which will be with us for the rest of the day and beyond. Emerging from its waters, the chain of islands that we will see from the top of Conic Hill divides the highlands from the lowlands of Scotland. We then descend to the small village of Balmaha, where we enjoy a hearty meal and refreshments, before continuing along the great loch towards Rowardennan, our stage finish and the starting point for anyone intending to climb Mount Ben Lomond.

Standard accommodation: Rowardennan Hotel or similar


Day 4. Stage Rowardennan - Invernarnan

Distance: 22.5 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Inverarnan

This section runs along the northern and most remote stretch of Loch Lomond, where the waters reach a depth of 620 feet (188m). Be aware that the terrain is difficult, especially north of Inversnaid, but the sense of wilderness and high mountains are worth the extra care and attention. The highlight of this section is the spectacular Inversnaid waterfall. You'll be able to get close to it, as the route passes over a footbridge over the waterfall that cascades into Loch Lomond.

Standard accommodation: The Crianlarich Hotel or similar


Day 5. Stage Invernarnan - Tyndrum

Distance: 19 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
AccommodationTyndrum

The West Highland Way leaves the shores of Loch Lomond and takes us into a different landscape of high mountains and gentle glens. Following the River Falloch we can see its waterfalls before reaching the halfway point, Crianlarich. Although the road skirts the village, it is possible to pop in for a rest and a bite to eat before continuing our hilly walk towards Tyndrum.

Standard accommodation: Muthu Ben Doran Hotel or similar


Day 6. Stage Tyndrum - Inveroran

Distance: 14.5 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Inveroran

This is the fifth stage and a slightly shorter section than the previous ones, following the same mountainous scenery. Shortly after leaving Tyndrum, we will find ourselves skirting the steep slopes of Beinn Odhar and the pyramid of Beinn Dorain, whose silhouette will accompany us all along the glen until we reach Bridge of Orchy. This little village is built around its 18th century bridge, built to allow military passage during the Jacobite Wars. A short climb up the hill offers a spectacular viewpoint over Loch Tulla, the Black Mount and, beyond Inveroran, the spectacular moorland of Rannoch Moor.

Standard accommodation: Inveroran Hotel or similar


Day 7. Stage Inveroran - Kingshouse

Distance: 16 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Inveroran

This sixth stage on the West Highland Way leaves Inveroran, climbing slowly from Forest Lodge to the edge of Rannoch Moor. This is a wild and remote stretch of the West Highland Way and one of the last great wilderness areas in Europe. Ba's Bridge is halfway across the moor and shortly afterwards, on the left, the ruins of Ba's hut can offer a slight shelter or a lovely place for lunch. Further on, before the end of the stage at Kingshouse, we will find ourselves at the foot of the famous and much photographed Buachaille Etive Mòr mountain, in the vicinity of which there are herds of reindeer that, if we are lucky, can be seen at close quarters. At Kingshouse we will take our transport back to Inveroran for an overnight stay (cost included).

Standard accommodation: Inveroran Hotel or similar


Day 8. Stage Kingshouse - Kinlochleven

Distance: 14.5 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
AccommodationKinlochleven

Day 8 of our journey through the Scottish Highlands begins with a drive back to Kingshouse, from where we continue on foot under the watchful gaze of the summit of Buachaille Etive Mor, one of the most famous and most beautiful of the Scottish Highlands. munros Scotland's most famous. The road takes us towards Altnafeadh, at its foot, before turning sharply right towards the Devil's Staircase, the dramatic name given by the British soldiers who built the road. This zigzag climb will take us to the highest point of the West Highland Way, 550m above sea level, with stunning views of the Buachaille and, to the north, the Mamores mountain range. The end of the day will be at Kinlochleven, a spectacular place to regain our strength before the final stage of the West Highland Way the following day.

Standard accommodation: Highland Getaway or similar


Day 9. Stage Kinlochleven - Fort William

Distance: 24 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Fort William

The last stretch of the West Highland Way to reach its northern end. The journey begins with a steep climb from Kinlochleven, which eventually eases off and gives you magnificent views of Loch Leven. The path then takes you over Lairigmor (the big pass), which offers an easy walk between steep and grandiose mountains, turning north and reaching beautiful woodland before heading into Glen Nevis. The forests give way to forestry plantations and the silhouette of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain. At this point we are on the final stretch of the West Highland Way, where Fort William awaits. A photo with the bronze statue of a fellow walker in Gordon Square is a nice tradition to end the walk.

Standard accommodation: Ben Nevis Hotel & Leisure Club or similar


Day 10. Return home

The last day of the journey to the Scottish Highlands is to leave its vast landscapes behind us and set off for home. In our memories we will carry the vast expanses of the lonely Highlands and a beautiful story to remember and tell.


The recipe for great journeys

Natural, historical and ethnographic heritage, spectacular gastronomy, good company, slow pace and time for time. These are the ingredients with which we design trips in Viando. Are you staying at home? 

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Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control

Frequently asked questions

What to expect from this tour?
The West Highland Way runs through the western Highlands of Scotland in 8 stages offering vast expanses and few settlements. This route is for you if you want to discover the magic of these parts and are looking to walk in a natural environment where the main challenge is solitude.
The West Highland Way is open all year round, but weather conditions make it inadvisable to walk the route during the long Scottish winter months. Also, bear in mind that many of the accommodation facilities are closed during these months, so we recommend doing the walk between April and October.
This programme does not include transfers (except for the Kingshouse transfer). To get from Glasgow to Milngavie and back from Fort William to Glasgow there are good public transport options.
Accommodation on this tour varies in category, but all have private rooms with en-suite bathrooms within them. Please note that accommodation options at Kingshouse are very limited and close months in advance, so we will include a transfer (return) to nearby accommodation for the overnight stay for that leg.

By default and compulsory, all our programmes include travel insurance with specific coverage for the Camino de Santiago. You can see the details in the section Insurance of our website. 

All our programmes include a 24-hour telephone support service, should you need help at any time during your experience. This means that you can also contact us outside office hours (when you are on pilgrimage). 

If you want to book this programme, you have the following options available a form where you can indicate the starting date, the type of accommodation and a series of optional services. The price will be updated according to the options you choose, so you have full control. Once you have configured your trip, click on "Book" to make the payment.

Once we receive your request, you will automatically receive a proof of purchase and within 48 working hours we will contact you to confirm the details of your booking and provide you with the documentation. 

In Viando we also work with tailor-made programmes (short stages, intermediate rest days, itineraries different from those proposed, etc.). If you are looking for a Camino that meets your needs/preferences, you can ask us for a quote. here.

Mode

This label indicates the intended mode of travel, based on two typologies:

In groups

These are group trips, where you are part of a small group of people who have chosen the same destination as you. Perfect for meeting like-minded people. Group trips usually have a guide who is in charge of overseeing the dynamics of the group, revealing the secrets of the destination and, in general, making sure that everything runs smoothly.

On your own

In this type of trip you have full control: you choose the dates and the pace. In addition, they are usually trips with configurable accommodation and services. It is the perfect mode for independent and experienced travellers, as well as for private groups of friends or families.

Type of trip

This label indicates the type of trip we propose to you based on the following options:

Getaways

These are trips that concentrate all their essence in two or three days. The aim is to live a series of experiences in a specific geographical area.

Half distance

These trips offer routes that take only a few days to complete and are perfect for most people who want to enjoy an active holiday without being too physically demanding.

Long distances

This type refers to long routes, which offer a great variety of natural and human spaces to visit and which require several days, usually two weeks or more. They are routes and destinations designed to really disconnect and live the experience to the fullest.

Exploration

These are trips off the beaten track and off the beaten track. They often require certain orientation skills or offer specialised guides at the destination.

Accommodation

This label indicates the type of services (mainly accommodation) we offer on each trip, based on three categories: 

Configurable

The trip offers different types of services and categories of services that you can choose from. For example, standard or premium accommodation. 

Standard

The trips in this group do not offer configurable options. The accommodations correspond to the standard category (not luxurious, but clean and in good condition).

Premium

Trips with this label offer non-configurable options. Accommodation and other services correspond to the premium category.