In a popularity contest, the West Highland Way wins hands down! The majority of our most-read blog posts ever are tips and advice for anyone thinking of walking the West Highland Way from Milngavie (Glasgow) to Fort William. So, we've distilled as much of that information as possible into one downloadable guide, which we hope will be useful for anyone considering walking Scotland's most famous long distance trail. From getting to the start, to what to pack, we've got it covered. Plus, a bit of history and information about the route itself. Open our PDF Guide to Walking the West Highland Way, or view our West Highland Way walking itineraries.

Your Guide to the West Highland Way

The West Highland Way is a 96 mile long distance walking trail from Milngavie (on the edge of Glasgow) to Fort William in the west of Scotland. Approximately 85,000 people walk the route each year, with around 30,000 walking the complete 96 miles. The West Highland way is traditionally walked from south (Milngavie) to north (Fort William), away from the sun. Walking northwards adds to the sense of adventure as the walker leaves the city and enters the highlands. The route is a challenge which walkers with a variety of levels of experience can achieve, and is graded as a “moderate” walking trail (for most itineraries). The route is well marked and does not require any technical ability, but it should be noted that some sections include climbs (up to 550m above sea level at the Devil’s Staircase at the highest point), and can be rough underfoot. As with any long distance route, appropriate preparation and clothing is required (which we shall cover in this document), and walkers should select and plan a daily itinerary suitable for their experience and fitness....... Download the full Guide to Walking the West Highland Way