- Take on the challenge of Scotland’s most famous and one of the world’s greatest and most iconic long distance trails – the West Highland Way
- Immerse yourself in the spectacular scenery as you walk through the beautiful landscapes of Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe
- Learn about the area’s history and legends, as well as the flora and fauna along the route, with the knowledge and experience of an expert guide.
What’s included in this walking holiday?
- 7 nights accommodation in carefully selected guest houses and small hotels.
- Most meals during the trip
- Luggage transfer for 1 bag per person for the duration of the trip, meaning you will only have to carry a day rucksack while walking.
- The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide throughout.
- Train tickets from Glasgow Queen Street to Milngavie.
Read more about our West Highland Way walking holiday below and download the dossier for even more information.
Blue Graded Walking Holidays
Our Blue grade walking trips involve climbing some of Scotland’s best mountains and ridges. The walks are conducted at a good pace and you may be out hiking for 8 or 9 hours a day. The terrain underfoot can be anything from stalker’s paths to rough or boggy ground, boulder fields and mountain tops.
The daily walks will occasionally involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. To help you decide if you are fit enough for this trip, ask yourself:
Can you comfortably hike for 10+ miles (16+km), climbing mountains and covering a variety of challenging underfoot conditions? How often do you do this?
19th Jun - 26th Jun 2017
Jennifer Roberts
When not outdoors, Jen can be found poured over maps with a cup of tea and a slice cake planning her upcoming adventures.17th Jul - 24th Jul 2017
Helen Marsden
Find out more about Yorkshire Tea fanatic and guide Helen here...14th Aug - 21st Aug 2017
Liam Allan
Find out about mountain baby Liam's ambitions to join the circus!4th Sep - 11th Sep 2017
John Ormiston
A west-coaster with a whisky knowledge that is hard to beat! Meet John Ormiston.18th Sep - 25th Sep 2017
Dave Picken
Meet Dave Picken, expert guide and bee-keeper extraordinaire.Accommodation
This is a point to point itinerary where we walk to a new accommodation each day. The accommodation on this trip is graded as Classic and we handpick the best available accommodation along the route, which ranges from small guesthouses, Highland inns, small hotels and bed and breakfast establishments.
Wherever available, we will reserve en suite rooms for you however on this trip it is not always possible due to limited accommodation options.
As accommodation is in short supply on this route however, please note that some establishments will be better than others.
Single Room Supplement
There is no single person supplement charged to solo travellers however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you require a single room please request this at the time of booking and we will check availability for you. A single room supplement of £275 is charged if a single room is available – please see booking form terms and conditions.
Wherever available, we will reserve en suite rooms for you. Please note however that on the West Highland Way this is not always possible due to the limited accommodation options, so on some nights you will have private facilities instead.
You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide in the centre of Glasgow Queen Street Railway Station under the arrivals/departures information board at 08:30 on Day 1 of your trip. Most people choose to stay in Glasgow before the trip. You can depart any time after breakfast on Day 8.
Customer Kudos
Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us.
Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.
That's why we read each of our client's reviews and although we don't respond to all of them, if it's glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.
by Nancy Giallombardo 03/10/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Well organized; information provided was helpful
Accommodation and Food
The food was very good; with eating in pubs and small inns, you were able to experience Scottish meals. Accommodations for the most part were good; some beautiful inns/pubs. After a long day of hiking, a warm place, good food and hot water were always welcome. Kings House which will be undergoing updating, needs it.
Your Guide
Duncan was exceptional and very knowledgeable about Scotland and the hike. He gave us detailed descriptions of what we would experience each day which was very helpful. He has a keen sense of people and personalities and interacts well with each member of the group. He is a true gem!
The Bottom Line
It was a great experience and a wonderful way to capture this beautiful land.
by Bryan Ralph 03/10/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by Astra Kennedy 29/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
Duncan, you were awesome! I couldn't have done it without you!
The Bottom Line
The trip was great. We had to forego our original walk on day 6 because of the weather but an alternate walk was provided for those who still wanted to get a walk in. Two of us stayed behind to rest our feet but we were more than happy to do so. Duncan was amazing and created an atmosphere of comradery amongst the group. Scotland is a beautiful country.
by Margaret Houtzaager 29/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
The Highland Way didn't disappoint. The stages were of good length and built gradually to the longest day so fitness had increased by then. Loch Lomond and the Moor were so beautiful.
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
Duncan was an fabulous guide for many reasons. First,y at the end of each day he provided an overview of the next day highlighting any potentially difficult parts, giving accurate walk times, and detailing breaks. Secondly he gave us an overview of the map each morning. Thirdly he had great interpersonal skills and made a point if connecting with each person multiple times a day. Thirdly it was clear that our safety was his top priority. Making a difficult decision to cancel the climb over the Devils staircase was obviously hard for him but the weather was scary. He then provided and alternative walk for the day once we were bused to our next stop. I can't speak highly enough if his professional conduct and would love to do another trip with him.
The Bottom Line
The Highland Way was a great walking experience. Daily walking distances were very do-able and accomodation on the way was very comfortable. Our guide, Duncan, was awesome. Overall a fabulous walking trip.
by Dale Whittaker 29/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Perhaps be more clear about the importance of shoe fit.
Trip Comments
Duncan was special and excellent. Accommodations and provisions were very adequate.
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
Trustworthy, excellent descriptions of just the right amount of the upcoming track, fun, and inclusive.
The Bottom Line
by Jane McNaughton 26/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
Duncan Greene is the best!
The Bottom Line
The West Highland Way is strenuous and anyone planning to make the trek should be in top physical condition. Scotland is a beautiful country and the trek is an excellent way to see it!
by Karen McQuarrie 22/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by Yvonne Yan 22/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
Your Guide
The Bottom Line
by William Bernhard 15/09/2016
Pre-Trip Service
Good and prompt response time. Although it took a while to tell us about our guide, Duncan Greene.
Trip Comments
Accommodation and Food
A good value that did exceed our expectations.
Your Guide
Duncan was excellent across the board. Our safety and health was #1, our enjoyment and fun were #2.
The Bottom Line
I truly enjoyed the Scottish countryside and the pace, rhythm and tempo of the walks. The trip had a well structured, consistent day to day pattern to it which I really liked.
by Anna Sande 30/08/2016
Pre-Trip Service
You were responsive but I found the website a bit annoying - your checkout (i.e. payment location) I found evasive.
Perhaps descriptions of 'walks' are too glowing (although I overheard some others in our party talking about very realistic videos they watched - I missed those!)
Trip Comments
Much was excellent! Scotland is a gem.
Our guide very good in every way.
Accommodation and Food
Accommodation very good - interesting variety, comfortable, well-positioned.
Your Guide
Our guide was sensitive and thoughtful - a lover of his country.
The Bottom Line
Without this trip I would not have felt so close to Scotland.
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2017 Trip Dates
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Trip Details
The West Highland Way is a classic long distance trek, covering over 95 miles (150km) from Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands.
Joining a West Highland Way guided walking holiday allows you to fully appreciate the stunning scenery, learn about the area’s history and legends, as well as identifying the flora and fauna along the route.
The route travels along the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond, across the atmospheric Rannoch Moor, past dramatic Glencoe and over the high pass of the Devil’s Staircase before finishing in Fort William, at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Each evening you’ll arrive at our hand-picked accommodation where your luggage will be waiting for you, allowing you to travel light. All you’ll need to think about on this classic trek is putting one foot in front of the other and immersing yourself in the spectacular scenery of one of the world’s greatest long distance treks. You can do it faster but we prefer to slow things down and appreciate the West Highland Way over 7 days.
Tour Itinerary – The West Highland Way
Day 1 – The Journey Begins: West Highland Way Start
Today you’ll meet your guide at Glasgow Queen Street Station at 8:30am. You’ll take a short train journey to the West Highland Way start at Milngavie, where we’ll drop off our bags, and then we start walking the West Highland Way! Although starting out close to Glasgow you are quickly walking through wild land. This part of the journey follows what was an important route in prehistoric times and your guide will help you spot some standing stones from the late Stone Age. We’ll arrive at the accommodation tonight in time to settle in before enjoying a welcome dinner – and possibly a dram of the local Glengoyne whisky as a way to toast the start of the trip. (L, D)
Distance 19km
Day 2 – Walking to Loch Lomond
The trail leaves Drymen and passes through Garadhban Forest. Leaving the forest, we’ll take a detour to climb Conic Hill – though just 361m high, it offers fantastic views over Loch Lomond. This area is resplendent with yellow gorse and there is a rich variety of bird life that your guide will be able to help you identify. Reaching the eastern banks of Loch Lomond at Balmaha, we follow the shore through forest until you reach the tranquil setting of Rowardennan, which is nestled at the foot of Ben Lomond. (B, L)
Distance 21km
Day 3 – The Wild Shoreline of Loch Lomond
Starting out with views of Ben Lomond – which translates as Beacon Hill – this is a challenging stage but the combination of differing terrain, scenery and views make it very rewarding. This was an area frequented by Rob Roy McGregor and as you walk in his footsteps, your guide can keep you entertained with stories of his frequent mischief! Rougher terrain means that the going is slower but it’s wonderful to be in such wild country. The trail improves towards the end of the day as we near our next destination, the tiny settlement of Invernarnan. (B, L)
Distance 23km
Day 4 – Into Strathfillan
We’re in the Highlands now and today we pass the halfway point of the West Highland Way, where the mountains seem to stretch all the way to the sky. Indeed, the local mountains are known as the ‘Arrochar Alps’. Our day begins with a walk through Glen Falloch before we turn northwards into Strath Fillan. The landscape gets wilder and your guide will point out the some of the hardier plants that grow in this area and talk about how they were used by the clansmen and women in the past. As we approach Tyndrum, we are rewarded with wonderful views of Ben Lui rising up in the west. (B, L)
Distance 22km
Day 5 – North to Glencoe
This fantastic day begins with a climb out of Tyndrum, with the trail running next to the West Highland Railway line. At the top of a pass, the sweeping flanks of Ben Dorain dominate the view. A short detour will take us to a carved stone seat said to contain the sword of Robert the Bruce. Continuing north, we reach the tiny settlement of Bridge of Orchy and then Inveroran, which makes a good lunch stop. The shapely peaks of the Black Mount now lie to the west while the wilds of Rannoch Moor stretches into the distance in front of you. Following the trail across this wild moor, we eventually reach Glencoe and our accommodation at the historic Kingshouse Hotel. A long but memorable day of trekking! Reward yourself with a drink from the bar, while enjoying the amazing views of Buachaille Etive Mor. (B, L)
Distance 30km
Day 6 – The Devil’s Staircase
This is a shorter day but with the biggest ascent of the route. Leaving the Kingshouse, we walk into Glencoe then climb the trail known as the ‘Devil’s Staircase’. It is steep with some switchbacks but no scrambling is involved. At the top of the pass at 547m, we are rewarded with wonderful views of Glencoe and Loch Leven. Your guide will able to point out the individual peaks in this sea of mountains you are looking at and perhaps tell the tale of The Massacre of Glencoe. Descending into the next valley, we follow a good trail to our next stop, the small village of Kinlochleven. (B, L)
Distance 14km
Day 7 – Trail’s End
The day starts with a steep climb to wake us up after breakfast! We cross a pass at 274m, taking in views across to Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in Scotland. After crossing the pass, the hard work of the day is done and we walk past old sheilings (summer dwellings for shepherds) with views over Lochan Lunn Da-Bhr. Your guide may share the story of the mythical bull that makes this area home and terrorises the crofter’s cattle! The trail then descends into beautiful Glen Nevis and then into Fort William itself – we’ve done it and completed the iconic 95 mile West Highland Way! After checking into our accommodation and freshening up, we’ll celebrate with drinks and dinner – we deserve it! (B, L, D)
Distance 22km
Day 8 – Fort William and depart
After a leisurely breakfast, your free to make your way home at a suitable time – most people will take the scenic West Highland Railway back to Glasgow, which has several departures daily. (B)
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