West Highland Way
Description
- Name West Highland Way (WHW)
- Length of trail 153 km, 95 miles
- Length in days 8 days
- End of trail Fort William
- Traildino grading EW, Easy walk, nature trail


95 miles, 153 km, 8 days
Long Distance Route in Scotland
The West Highland Way is a convenient walk for the beginning hiker and a good launch point for the Scottish Highlands. This walk, 153 km, 95 miles, can be done in a short weeks time. You do not really venture out into the higher and wilder parts of Scotland, except for the crossing of a pass. You do get however a multifaceted view of Scotland. From the green forests of Loch Lomond near Glasgow, along an old military road, over the Devil's Staircase, you will eventually view of the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, Ben Nevis.
In Fort William, the end of the West Highland Way, starts another popular hike, namely the Great Glen Way, along Loch Ness. Or – better option? – go for a climb to the summit of one of the many Munros (a mountain of more than 3000 feet) and enjoy wild green Scotland from above. Assuming you choose a fine day, you will not regret this.
Opinions

- Andrew July 2015
- Rate 10

- Hester July 2016
- Rate 8

- Frostt May 2016
- Rate 5
- Positive Bonne distance et difficultés abordables pour 'découvrir' un trek libre de cette distance. Du sud au nord, c'était pas mal de terminer avec le Ben Nevis.
- Negative Trop commercial. Trop fréquenté. Trop 'préfabriqué'.

- Skadisrealm June 2013
- Rate 9

- dirkpieter June 2011
- Rate 7
- Positive A classic with of course beautiful areas! Good pubs and food for hikers!
- Negative The start is not really interesting and there were more not so interesting parts of the trail. In bad weather that less interesting parts makes the hike 'good' but not very good!

- www.caersbart.be May 2015
- Rate 8
- Positive Scottish Outdoor Access Code, nature, friendly people
Map
Links
Facts
- The West Highland Way, Milngavie, Fort William, Walking in Scotland
Trail Home Page
- Hiking the West Highland Way
Hiking and camping on the the West Highland Way. Report, photos and movie.
- Hiking trails Europe West Highland way
Scotland at its best, lowland moors, the green, brown, yellow ochre and orange tints in that fascinating light.Lovely green valleys, beautiful mountain lakes, woodlands, moors, heathlands, and through
- Map of the West Highland Way
Detailed map (in embedded Google Map) of the West Highland Way indicated in 1 mile segments (alternating red and orange) to allow rapid distance estimation.
- West Highland Way
Official website of the West Highland Way, with info and route descriptions, and even a webshop selling insect repellents and waterproof poncho's....
- West Highland Way * Albawest
Comprehensive website with even a lengthy discussion of the famous "midge" and a sensible approach to this widely experienced problem.
- West Highland Way :: Gronze.com (Spanish)
Map, distances and introduction.
- West Highland Way Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
Fine introduction and description by Undiscoverd Scotland
- West Highland Way Guide by Discover Outside - Map, Accommodation, and more
Everything you'll need to know about the West Highland Way - Weather, Accommodation, Route and day breakdown, and much more
- West Highland Way on AboutBritain.com
Sectionwise description
- West Highland Way: What You Need to Know
The West Highland Way is Scotland's first official long distance walking route. It's also the most famous. And, in my opinion, it's one of the best long-distance hikes in all of Europe.
Reports
- Ben Nevis
This is Ian Fisk's climb of Ben Nevis, ages ago, 1992, but still fine to read!
- End to End - West Highland Way
John Butler made use of the WHW on his enterprise from South to North.
- The West Highland Way: Introduction
An informative and complete trail report
- Trail Journals, Backpacking and Hiking Journals
All trail journals from the popular www.trailjournals.com regarding the West Highland Way. The fact that this trail is popular is reflected by the number of entries here.
- Walk of the West Highland Way | Milngavie to Drymen
A report on “Our adventure Journal”: August-September 2005
- Ashley Heeley's West Highland Way Diary
Eight days in Scotland on the WHW: diary, pictures, and a final "That's it for this year and we'll see what we can do next year.That's it for this year and we'll see what we can do next year."
- Goin' Feral on The West Highland Way
A Magazine style report of a walk from Glasgow to the top of Ben Nevis via the West Highland Way. 13 pages with over 300 photographs.
- Lonewalker's West Highland Way Journal 2008
He liked the hike, but mind you: "from leaving the station at Glasgow, to arriving at the foot of Inverness Castle I didn't spend more than about 3 miles walking on grass and when I did it was because I'd taken a detour from the Way to bag a trig point"!
- Long distance footpaths in Britain: Westhighland way
Trail report
- Photo Archive: The West Highland Way (UK) - Photography by Alexander Blumenau
A report from a hike in 1997, maps and galleries.
- Rambling Pete's West Highland Way Journal
Account of an eight day ramble on the WHW in Scotland.
- Schotland (Dutch)
Picture gallery.
- The West Highland Way
Report of a winter hike of the West Highland Way. You can see it is beautiful, despite the dark and cold season.
- The West Highland Way
Janice and Alastair Lightlys report of the West Highland Way.
- walksntalks.co.uk - west highland way
Trail report, 2000. “The scenery is varied and at times breathtaking. It is well worth attempting, but don't forget your insect repellant!”
- West Highland Way » Collected Musings of a Hill Wanderer
Blog by John Hennessy
- WHW intégrale (French)
Récit de ma West Highland Way de 2017 en camping sauvage. Super ambiance écossaise.
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
- Hiking routes in Scotland
Scotland is known for its dramatic scenery and is the perfect place to go hiking. Check out the West Highland Way, Great Glen Way or Rob Roy Way!
GPS
Other
Books
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Loch Lomond South - Dumbarton, Helensburgh, Drymen & Cove OS Explorer Active Map OL38 (waterproof)
- The southern part of Loch Lomond on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL38, waterproof version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage includes a section of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park with parts of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the Argyll Forest Park, Dumbarton, Helensburgh, Cove,... Read more

United Kingdom
2017
- Great Glen Way
- 40 Large-Scale Maps & Guides to 18 Towns and Villages - Planning, Places to Stay, Places to Eat - Fort William to Inverness Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
2017
- Great Glen Way: Fort William to Inverness
- The Great Glen Way long-distance footpath begins where the West Highland Way ends - at Fort William - and follows the Great Glen faultline to finish at Inverness after 79 miles (127km). The trail passes Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness and also follows the towpath of the Caledonian Canal. It`s a relatively easy week-long walk amongst... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Loch Lomond North - Tyndrum, Crianlarich & Arrochar OS Explorer Active Map OL39 (waterproof)
- The northern part of Loch Lomond on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map No. 364, waterproof version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage includes a section of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park with parts of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the Argyll Forest Park, 14 Munro peaks including An... Read more

United Kingdom
2018
- Fastpacking
- Multi-day running adventures: tips, stories and route ideas Read more

United Kingdom
2019
- Walking The End to End Trail
- Land's End to John o' Groats on foot Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids Walking The End to End Trail | Cicerone
- A practical guidebook for walking from Land's End to John o' Groats. The 1956km (1215 mile) long-distance route, known as the End to End Trail, follows paths and tracks rather than road, and takes to the hills whenever it can. The route is presented in 61 daily stages averaging just less than 32km (20 miles). Read more

United Kingdom
- Three Men on the Way Way
- A Story of Walking the West Highland Way Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Loch Lomond South - Dumbarton, Helensburgh, Drymen & Cove OS Explorer Map OL38 (paper)
- The southern part of Loch Lomond on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL38, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage includes a section of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park with parts of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the Argyll Forest Park, Dumbarton, Helensburgh, Cove, Drymen,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Loch Lomond, The Trossachs 2016
- The walks in this guide introduce the many facets of the Southern Highlands and range from easy loch-side strolls to strenuous expeditions onto some of the area`s highest mountains. Walking in Scotland is quite different from walking south of the border. In England there are only eight summits that top 3000 ft, while in Scotland there are 277,... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Loch Lomond, The Trossachs: 2016
- The walks in this guide introduce the many facets of the Southern Highlands and range from easy loch-side strolls to strenuous expeditions onto some of the area`s highest mountains. Walking in Scotland is quite different from walking south of the border. In England there are only eight summits that top 3000 ft, while in Scotland there are 277,... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelgids 23 Pathfinder Guides Loch Lomond , The Trossachs and Stirling | Ordnance Survey
- The walks in this guide introduce the many facets of the Southern Highlands and range from easy loch-side strolls to strenuous expeditions onto some of the area`s highest mountains. Walking in Scotland is quite different from walking south of the border. In England there are only eight summits that top 3000 ft, while in Scotland there are 277,... Read more

United Kingdom
- The Two of Us on the West Highland Way
- Our hiking experiences in Scotland Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Loch Lomond North - Tyndrum, Crianlarich & Arrochar OS Explorer Map OL39 (paper)
- The northern part of Loch Lomond on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL39, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage includes a section of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park with parts of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the Argyll Forest Park, 14 Munro peaks including An Caisteal,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Walks The Trossachs
- Last rewalked and updated 2010, Walks The Trossachs & East Loch Lomond including Killin & Tyndrum covers one of the most popular walking districts in Scotland (much of it now a National Park). Its hills, lochs, glens and woodlands provide an enormous range of routes within a small area. The 40 walks featured range from 0.5 miles to 15 miles... Read more

United Kingdom
- The East Highland Way
- The East Highland Way is a detailed and descriptive guide to the route developed by Kevin Langan in 2007. Beginning in Fort William and culminating in Aviemore, the trail forms a new link route between the northern end of the West Highland Way and the southern end of the Speyside Way. In addition, the route joins with the Great Glen Way at its... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- The East Highland Way
- The East Highland Way is a detailed and descriptive guide to the route developed by Kevin Langan in 2007. Beginning in Fort William and culminating in Aviemore, the trail forms a new link route between the northern end of the West Highland Way and the southern end of the Speyside Way. In addition, the route joins with the Great Glen Way at its... Read more

Belgium
- The East Highland Way
- The East Highland Way is a detailed and descriptive guide to the route developed by Kevin Langan in 2007. Beginning in Fort William and culminating in Aviemore, the trail forms a new link route between the northern end of the West Highland Way and the southern end of the Speyside Way. In addition, the route joins with the Great Glen Way at its... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelgids The East Highland Way | Luath Press
- The East Highland Way is a detailed and descriptive guide to the route developed by Kevin Langan in 2007. Beginning in Fort William and culminating in Aviemore, the trail forms a new link route between the northern end of the West Highland Way and the southern end of the Speyside Way. In addition, the route joins with the Great Glen Way at its... Read more

United Kingdom
2021
- Great Glen Way (Trailblazer British Walking Guide): 38 Large-Scale Maps & Guides to 18 Towns and Villages - Planning, Places to Stay, Places to Eat - Fort William to Inverness
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Great Glen Way long-distance footpath. The trail begins where the West Highland Way ends - at Fort William - and follows the Great Glen faultline to finish at Inverness after 79 miles (127km). The trail passes Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness and also follows the towpath of the Caledonian Canal.... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2021
- Wandelgids Great Glen Way | Trailblazer
- All-in-one, practical guide to walking the Great Glen Way long-distance footpath. The trail begins where the West Highland Way ends - at Fort William - and follows the Great Glen faultline to finish at Inverness after 79 miles (127km). The trail passes Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and Loch Ness and also follows the towpath of the Caledonian Canal.... Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- West Highland Way
- Easy-to-use folding map and essential information, with custom itinerary planning for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- West Highland Way - Easy-to-use Folding Map and Essential Information
- The 153-kilometre West Highland Way encompasses the variety of Scotland`s wild places. The route, which begins in Milngavie and finishes in Fort William, passes from Glasgow, Scotland`s friendliest city, through lochs and forests, and across wild moors in the shadows of Munros. Offering panoramic views and clear waymarking, it is no wonder this... Read more

United Kingdom
- Great Glen Way XT40
- Great Glen Way, a 126km/79 miles trail from Fort William along Loch Ness to Inverness, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The whole route is covered on four overlapping panels, and includes street plans of Fort William (showing the start/end of the West Highland Way) and Inverness. Map... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Great Glen Way Harvey National Trail XT40
- Great Glen Way, a 126km/79 miles trail from Fort William along Loch Ness to Inverness, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The whole route is covered on four overlapping panels, and includes street plans of Fort William (showing the start/end of the West Highland Way) and Inverness. Map... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Great Glen Way | Harvey Maps
- Great Glen Way, a 126km/79 miles trail from Fort William along Loch Ness to Inverness, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The whole route is covered on four overlapping panels, and includes street plans of Fort William (showing the start/end of the West Highland Way) and Inverness. Map... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- East Highland Way Harvey National Trail XT40
- East Highland Way, a 132km / 82 miles trail on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map at 1:40,000 from Harvey Map Services presenting the route accompanied by extensive additional tourist information. The route links Fort Williams, the northern point of the West Highland Way and the southern point of the Great Glen Way, with Aviemore, the... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart East Highland Way | Harvey Maps
- East Highland Way, a 132km / 82 miles trail on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map at 1:40,000 from Harvey Map Services presenting the route accompanied by extensive additional tourist information. The route links Fort Williams, the northern point of the West Highland Way and the southern point of the Great Glen Way, with Aviemore, the... Read more

United Kingdom
- The West Highland Way (Footprint Map)
- A Footprint Map-Guide to the 95 Mile Route Between Milngavie and Fort William Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- The West Highland Way - 95 Mile Route Between Milngavie and Fort William
- The West Highland Way waterproof map from Footprint is a map-guide to the 95 mile (153km) route between Milngavie and Fort William. The mapping is based on Ordnance Survey data at a scale of 1:40,000, with compact and concise information for walkers. Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart The West Highland Way | Footprint maps
- The West Highland Way waterproof map from Footprint is a map-guide to the 95 mile (153km) route between Milngavie and Fort William. The mapping is based on Ordnance Survey data at a scale of 1:40,000, with compact and concise information for walkers. Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2014
- Cape Wrath Trail North - Strathcarron to Cape Wrath Harvey National Trail XT40
- The northern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Strathcarron via Ullapool to Cape Wrath - the most north-westerly point in the mainland United Kingdom, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map covers this section of the trail on 12 overlapping panels. The whole Cape Wrath Trail is... Read more

Netherlands
2014
- Cape Wrath Trail North XT40
- The northern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Strathcarron via Ullapool to Cape Wrath - the most north-westerly point in the mainland United Kingdom, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map covers this section of the trail on 12 overlapping panels. The whole Cape Wrath Trail is... Read more

Belgium
2014
- Cape Wrath Trail North XT40
- The northern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Strathcarron via Ullapool to Cape Wrath - the most north-westerly point in the mainland United Kingdom, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map covers this section of the trail on 12 overlapping panels. The whole Cape Wrath Trail is... Read more

Netherlands
2014
- Wandelkaart Cape Wrath Trail North | Harvey Maps
- The northern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Strathcarron via Ullapool to Cape Wrath - the most north-westerly point in the mainland United Kingdom, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map covers this section of the trail on 12 overlapping panels. The whole Cape Wrath Trail is... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2014
- Cape Wrath Trail South - Fort Willian to Strathcarron Harvey National Trail XT40
- The southern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Fort William to Strathcarron presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map covers this section of the trail on eight panels, showing both the western variant via Inverie and Shiel Bridge, and inland route along Loch Lochy and Invegarry.... Read more

Netherlands
2014
- Cape Wrath Trail South XT40
- Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. It is around 200 miles long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. There is no single definitive route. There are various ways of tackling the traverse... Read more

Belgium
2014
- Cape Wrath Trail South XT40
- Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. It is around 200 miles long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. There is no single definitive route. There are various ways of tackling the traverse... Read more

Netherlands
2014
- Wandelkaart Cape Wrath Trail South | Harvey Maps
- The southern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, from Fort William to Strathcarron presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The map covers this section of the trail on eight panels, showing both the western variant via Inverie and Shiel Bridge, and inland route along Loch Lochy and Invegarry.... Read more

United Kingdom
- West Highland Way Harvey National Trail XT40
- The West Highland Way, Scotland’s premier 153km / 96 miles long trail from Milngavie near Glasgow along Loch Lomond to Fort William presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The whole route is covered by nine overlapping panels, and the map includes small street plan of Milngavie, Tyndrum,... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- West Highland Way XT40
- The West Highland Way is 96 miles (153 km) long and links Milngavie (Glasgow) to Fort William. It run's from Scotland's largest city to the foot of its highest mountain, Ben Nevis, through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.Detailed mapping, full legend in English, French and German. National Grid. Read more

Belgium
- West Highland Way XT40
- The West Highland Way is 96 miles (153 km) long and links Milngavie (Glasgow) to Fort William. It run's from Scotland's largest city to the foot of its highest mountain, Ben Nevis, through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.Detailed mapping, full legend in English, French and German. National Grid. Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart West Highland Way | Harvey Maps
- Wandelkaart van de West Highland Way met uitsnedes van de route. Leap forward in technical excellence. Tough, light and 100% wateproof. Compact and light - the map itself weighs just 60gms - a third of the weight of a laminated map, and much less bulky. And you can fold or refold it time and again, or stuff it in your back pocket and it... Read more
Walking holidays
Netherlands
- Groot-Brittannië - Schotland
- De West Highland Way, Schotlands beroemde lange-afstandswandelpad, heeft een totale lengte van 152 kilometer en verbindt Glasgow met de hoogste berg, de Ben Nevis (1342 m), bij Fort William. Dit wandelpad biedt een prachtige dwarsdoorsnede van de Schotse natuur en cultuur. Wandelend tussen lochs en glens passeer je oude kasteelruïnes en... Read more
- Also available from:
- Snp Wandelreizen, Netherlands
Netherlands
- Groot-Brittannië - Schotland
- De Small Isles bestaan uit vier eilanden van de Inner Hebrides aan de Schotse westkust. Op de Small Isles, genaamd Eigg, Canna, Rum en Muck, woont slechts een handjevol mensen. De natuur, het landschap, de vogelrijkdom en het uitzicht zijn daardoor overweldigend. Op alle eilanden kun je een korte wandeling maken, zeearenden spotten en langs... Read more
Netherlands
- Groot-Brittannië - West Highland Way
- Het beroemdste wandelpad van Schotland, de West Highland Way, voert u van Glasgow naar Fort William, aan de voet van de Ben Nevis, de hoogste berg van Schotland. U wandelt langs de oevers van het grote Loch Lomond, over de leegte van Rannoch Moor en door de engte van Glen Coe. Een fraaie kennismaking met de Highlands, waarbij u overnacht in... Read more