West Highland Way: Walking Guide & Planner

What is the West Highland Way?

The West Highland Way runs from Milngavie, on the northern edge of Glasgow, to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Most walkers take seven to eight days and sleep in the villages along the way. It is waymarked with a thistle the whole distance, which is why it is the long-distance walk most people in Britain do first.

The route leaves the Lowlands at Conic Hill and follows the east shore of Loch Lomond for a day and a half — the rough, rooty stretch north of Rowardennan is the slowest walking on the trail. Past Crianlarich it climbs out of the glens onto Rannoch Moor, crosses the Devil's Staircase above Glencoe, and drops to Kinlochleven before the last forest miles into Fort William.

Almost all of it lies inside Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park or the hills bordering Glencoe. You walk under Ben Lomond, Beinn Dorain and the Mamores without climbing any of them; Ben Nevis is in front of you at the finish if you want to add a day.

West Highland Way route map

The full West Highland Way from Milngavie to Fort William. Tap any day to open that itinerary in the planner and see overnight stops along the way. The panel below the map shows the elevation profile.

Tap the map to choose an itinerary.

How hard is the West Highland Way?

We rate the West Highland Way moderate: well waymarked hill paths with no scrambling — rough tracks and some steep bits, but you do not need your hands.

The real test is endurance: 95.7 mi (154 km) over several 12.4–18.6 mi (20–30 km) days. The north shore of Loch Lomond and the climb out of Kinlochleven are usually the hardest stages. If this is your first long-distance walk, take at least seven days.

West Highland Way itineraries and official sections

Pick a day count and the 5–9 day splits show where you would sleep each night, or read the route as the official town-to-town sections.

When is the best time to walk it?

January, winter
February, winter
March, winter
April, good
May, best
June, fair
July, fair
August, fair
September, best
October, good
November, winter
December, winter

Best months: May and September

May and September are the usual first-timer window: decent daylight, fewer midges than high summer, and slightly quieter than July and August. May is the busiest month for beds.

April and October are the shoulder: still a good walk, shorter days and more weather. Midges are worst on still, damp evenings from June to August, especially around Loch Lomond; carry repellent and a head net.

The Way can be walked year-round. Expect rain in every month and pack waterproofs. November to March needs proper hill skills.

Rain days each month:

January, 19 rain days
February, 16 rain days
March, 16 rain days
April, 14 rain days
May, 13 rain days
June, 14 rain days
July, 16 rain days
August, 16 rain days
September, 16 rain days
October, 18 rain days
November, 19 rain days
December, 19 rain days

Driest: May — still 13 rain days.

Wetter than most of Britain, even in May.

How do I get there and back?

Start at Milngavie. Frequent trains from Glasgow take about 25 minutes.

Finish in Fort William. Trains and coaches run back to Glasgow. Add a night in Glasgow or Fort William if your travel day is tight.

Anything else I should know?

Camping
From March to September, camping on the Loch Lomond shore needs a campsite or a permit. Elsewhere on the Way, and from October to February, ordinary Scottish wild-camping rules apply. The same shore zones restrict fires.
Loch Lomond camping byelaws
Dogs
From 1 April to 31 May, dogs stay off the fields below Conic Hill and follow the signed diversion. It adds no distance.
Conic Hill lambing notice
Ferry
The path does not need a ferry. A bed at Tarbet, Luss, or Ardlui means crossing the loch at the end of the day and coming back in the morning. The Luss boat is weekends only, and at Ardleish you raise the ball to call the boat.
Official route notes

Frequently asked questions

The walk

How long does the West Highland Way take?

Most people walk it in six to nine days. We offer proven presets from a fast five-day schedule to a leisurely nine-day plan. The classic seven-day split is the most popular starting point. A four-day finish is a trail-running challenge. We do not recommend it as a walking itinerary.

Which direction should I walk?

Most people walk Milngavie to Fort William. That is our default. The opposite direction uses the same proven day splits, Fort William to Milngavie. Choose it in the itinerary picker or the planner.

Getting set

Do I need to book accommodation in advance?

Yes. Book months ahead for May through September. The planner shows which nights that split uses, so you know what to book.

Can I get my bag transferred?

Yes. Several companies move a bag between your booked stays so you walk with a daypack. Services usually run from spring to mid-autumn and should be booked ahead in peak months. You still carry water, waterproofs, and a spare layer.

This site & app

Is this the official West Highland Way website?

No. This site helps you plan days, stays, and a GPX. For trail notices, the Outdoor Access Code, and official advice, use the official West Highland Way website: westhighlandway.org

Do I need an account?

No. Open a plan and use it. If you want it back on another phone, enter your email and we send an edit link. Sharing with someone is a view link; they do not create an account either. Downloading a GPX does not need email.

Can I export my plan to my GPS app?

Yes. After customising your route in the planner, export full-trip or per-day GPX files for Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or your preferred navigation app.

Plan your West Highland Way

Choose your dates and pace, adjust overnight stops on the map, then export GPX files built around your route.