Cost: €769 per person sharing

10 DAY TOUR Tour Dates APRIL - OCTOBER

Tour Grade 2 Moderate Accommodation Guesthouse, Hotel & B&B

Tour Highlights The small towns of Milngavie, Balmaha, Drymen, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven and Fort William Loch Lomond Scotland's largest loch The vastness of the open countryside and the friendliness of its people What's included in your tour All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite Maps and all route notes Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way Luggage transfers daily while you walk All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation, during the tour and back at the end of the tour Full back up service should you require it while on our tour

WEST HIGHLAND WAY 10-DAY TOUR

The West Highland Way is the first official long-distance designated walking route in Scotland and by far the most famous of all; officially opened in 1980.
The trail is immersed with stories of a distant past as you follow this historical route from Milngavie to Fort William; a distance of 153 Km/95 miles.
As the trail escorts you along its way from the outskirts of Scotland's largest city (Glasgow) through the Scottish Highlands to Fort William; it takes you along old drover roads; along which highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the lowlands. Military Roads that were constructed by troops to help control the Jacobite Clans and old coach roads and disused railway roads from more modern times. A journey through some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer.

Day 1 Glasgow to Milngavie
You have the option to arrive at Glasgow main airport or Prestwick; which is only a short train ride outside of Glasgow. From there you will catch a train to Milngavie where we will arrange to have you picked up and taken to your first accommodation.

Day 2 Milngavie to Drymen
A day that is a perfect introduction to the West Highland Way and the lowlands of the Scottish countryside. The trail follows a series of old railway lines, country tracks and lanes, offering you some superb scenery and your first glimpse of the Scottish Mountains. If you are lucky you may get your first glimpse of some Roe Deer and birds of prey like the Kestrel and Red Kite. Depending on what time of the year you do the tour, this section also offers you an abundance of wild flowers.
Distance: 19.5 km/12 miles, Ascent: 200 m/600 ft

Day 3 Drymen to Rowardennan
Today's section is broken down into two parts, the first taking you through Garadhban Forest and across the side of your first hill, "Conic Hill", which overlooks the small village of Balmaha (a perfect place for a liquid lunch!) and your first glimpse of Scotland's largest freshwater loch, "Loch Lomond".
From Balmaha the trail takes you along by the shores of Loch Lomond and into Ben Lomond National Memorial Park.
Distance: 22.5 km/14 miles, Ascent: 345 m/1035 ft

Day 4 Rowardennan to Inverarnan
Almost all of today's walk sees you travelling along the eastern shores of the loch as it traverses through a mixture of woodlands; under the steep slopes of Ben Lomond. This is probably one of the toughest days of the whole trail, but you will be truly rewarded with spectacular and stunning scenery across the loch and into the high distant mountains.
If luck is on your side today you may get a glimpse of the magnificent golden eagle. Since the early 20th century golden eagles in Scotland have recovered, having reached a low point of perhaps as few as 150 pairs. Now there are over 420 pairs and the population is stable.
Distance: 22.5 km/14 miles, Ascent: 222 m/666 ft

Day 5 Inverarnan to Tyndrum
The trail now leaves Loch Lomond on a relatively easy section that takes you north-west along by the base of Ben Glas Mountain, through Glen Folloch and onto Strath Fillan. As you travel along you will cross and re-crosses the river Folloch which is the main east-west natural divide of the Scottish Highlands.
As you pass the village of Crianlarich it is half-way on your days walk but more importantly it is half way to Fort William!
Before you get to your destination you will pass what remains of the ruins of St. Fillan's Priory.
Distance: 20.5 km/12 miles, Ascent: 200 m/600 ft

"All travellers who use this wild and beautiful place
will do so in peace if they tread there path lightly."
(An inscription from a plaque as you approach the remains on the priory)

Day 6 Tyndrum to Inveroran
An easy section that takes you north out of Tyndrum on an old military road that was constructed around 1750 and along by the West Highland Railway-Line that links Glasgow with Fort William.
The views along this section are mainly dominated by two mountains on the right; first Beinn Odhar and then Beinn Dorain. The section may be easy but it is incredibly beautiful; in summer it offers an array of wild flowers and green pastures.
Distance: 15 km/9 miles, Ascent: 145 m/435 ft

Day 7 Inveroran to Kingshouse
One of the most remote sections of the trail which follows an old drover's road that skirts along the western fringe of Rannoch Moor. (I can find no words that can justify my experience on this section of the trail) One has to personally walk it to experience the peace and serenity that it has to offer. Wild red deer; black grouse and sheep roam at will here.
Distance: 15 km/9 miles, Ascent: 90 m/270 ft

Day 8 Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
From Kingshouse the trail enters the beautiful scenery of Glencoe and at Altnafeadh climbs steadily over the Devils Staircase. This is an old military road that rises to almost 500Mtrs; 1500Ft at its highest point before making a long descent into Kinlochleven.
You will have glorious mountain views throughout the day.
Distance: 15 km/9 miles, Ascent: 250 m/750 ft

Day 9 Kinlochleven to Fort William
The final section of the West Highland Way takes you back onto the old military road; with a steady climb out of Kinlochleven; through an area of natural woodlands that every now and then offers you some splendid views over Loch Leven and back over part of your previous walk. You will pass an old ruined village called Tigh-Na-Sleubhaich and clear evidence of its once inhabitants can still be seen to the present day.
The final part of the trail takes you down into Glen Nevis where you will have some great views of Ben Nevis; Scotland's highest mountain.
The trail finishes at the visitors centre in Fort William.
Distance: 24 km/15 miles, Ascent: 225 m/675 ft

Day 10 Depart
After a hearty Scottish breakfast you can take the train back to Glasgow

Top Of Page Tour Cost

Check out our West Highland Way 6-Day & 7-Day tours

If you would like more information or a detailed itinerary, please e-mail us at: info@walkinghikingireland.com

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