9-day West Highland Way itinerary

1. Day 1

   Milngavie to Drymen

   5–6 h 12.0 mi (19.3 km) ↑ 320 m (1,050 ft) ↓ 300 m (1,000 ft)

   A relaxed first day out of the city. From the obelisk in Milngavie the path winds through Mugdock's woodland and past quiet lochans, shaking off the suburbs within an hour or two, with the Campsie Fells for company. There is no climbing to speak of and no reason to hurry on the nine-day. Drymen sits a short step off the trail, with pubs and a shop to settle into for the night.

   Example stay The Drymen Inn (opens in a new tab)

2. Day 2

   Drymen to Balmaha

   3–4 h 7.0 mi (11.3 km) ↑ 410 m (1,350 ft) ↓ 460 m (1,500 ft)

   This is why the nine-day exists. A forest climb from Drymen brings you to Conic Hill, on the Highland Boundary Fault, for the first grandstand view of Loch Lomond and its islands. You drop to Balmaha for the night, with food and a shop, instead of pushing on along the south shore. It is a short day, and a fine first look at the loch.

   Example stay Oak Tree Inn (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Balmaha to Rowardennan

   3–4 h 7.8 mi (12.5 km) ↑ 360 m (1,200 ft) ↓ 350 m (1,150 ft)

   From Balmaha the path traces the wooded eastern shore to Rowardennan, beneath Ben Lomond. There is no Conic Hill today, so the miles stay moderate and you arrive with time to spare. Food and a shop at the start, then a quiet lochside afternoon. A fine introduction to what the north shore has in store tomorrow.

   Example stay Rowardennan Hotel (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Rowardennan to Inverarnan

   6–7 h 13.9 mi (22.3 km) ↑ 740 m (2,450 ft) ↓ 750 m (2,450 ft)

   The trail's wildest day, and the one to take slowly. Beyond Rowardennan the path clings to the loch through oak woods, working over roots and rock where the going is slow but never dull; Inversnaid, with its hotel and waterfall, marks the halfway point. It is not the distance that tires people here, it is the terrain, so give it the whole day. The Drovers Inn or Beinglas at the loch head is a characterful place to land.

   Example stay The Drovers Inn (opens in a new tab)

5. Day 5

   Inverarnan to Tyndrum

   5–6 h 11.9 mi (19.1 km) ↑ 590 m (1,950 ft) ↓ 370 m (1,200 ft)

   An easy, scenic day to reset after the loch. The route follows Glen Falloch and its waterfalls up into more open country, then old drove and military roads carry you past Crianlarich toward Tyndrum. Nothing about the walking is difficult, and Tyndrum, with its shops, cafés, and the Green Welly, is the best resupply on the trail. A gentle day that banks energy for the ones ahead.

   Example stay Tyndrum Lodges (opens in a new tab)

6. Day 6

   Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy

   3–4 h 6.9 mi (11.1 km) ↑ 160 m (500 ft) ↓ 230 m (750 ft)

   The shortest day of the itinerary after the Balmaha split, and still a gift. A well-graded old road runs through open glen with Beinn Dorain's great sweep of hillside ahead, and the walking is easy the whole way. Bridge of Orchy is little more than a hotel, a station, and a bridge, but it is perfectly placed to break the moor into two. Arrive early and rest. Tomorrow is Rannoch.

   Example stay Bridge of Orchy Hotel (opens in a new tab)

7. Day 7

   Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse

   5–6 h 12.0 mi (19.3 km) ↑ 500 m (1,650 ft) ↓ 400 m (1,300 ft)

   Rannoch Moor as its own day, which is why this split stays leisurely in the north. A climb past the Inveroran Inn leads onto the moor, a huge, empty, beautiful expanse of bog, lochans, and distant peaks, with the mountains of Glencoe drawing you on. It is shorter and less punishing than a Tyndrum-to-Kingshouse haul, though still fully exposed, so keep an eye on the weather. The lone Kingshouse Hotel waits at the far side.

   Example stay Kingshouse Hotel (opens in a new tab)

8. Day 8

   Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

   4–5 h 8.8 mi (14.2 km) ↑ 430 m (1,400 ft) ↓ 670 m (2,200 ft)

   A short day built around one famous climb. From Kingshouse the path rises to the Devil's Staircase, the highest point on the Way. The zig-zags are steeper than they are long, and the name is a legacy of the soldiers who built the road, not a warning about the grade. Beyond the top comes a long descent past the Blackwater dam into Kinlochleven. Half a day's walking, and a whole afternoon to enjoy the village.

   Example stay Tailrace Inn (opens in a new tab)

9. Day 9 Longest

   Kinlochleven to Fort William

   7–8 h 15.0 mi (24.2 km) ↑ 710 m (2,350 ft) ↓ 710 m (2,350 ft)

   A grand finish, though not an easy one. The day opens with a stiff climb to the Lairig Mòr, a broad and lonely pass ringed by the Mamores, then settles into a long valley walk before Ben Nevis finally fills the horizon. The Way ends, as it has for generations of walkers, at the statue in Fort William. Trains and buses run the same afternoon, or stay on to tackle the Ben.

   Finish West Highland Way Finish

Cross-check: official suggested itineraries (WHW4) . They stop at seven walking days. This split is that seven-day with extra nights at Balmaha and Bridge of Orchy. Distances are from our trail geometry, not their mile table.

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