The West Highland Way

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Guidebook to walking the West Highland Way National Trail, a 95 mile Scottish long-distance route from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William, passing Loch Lomond and crossing Rannoch Moor. Suggested itineraries over 6 to 9 days. Includes accommodation guide and pull-out 1:25K OS map booklet.

Cicerone says

A guidebook to walking the West Highland Way, one of Scotland’s Great Trails. Covering 156km (96 miles) from Milngavie to Fort William, the route is suitable for walkers of most abilities and takes around a week to complete.

The trail is described from south to north in 7 stages of between 14 and 33km (9–20 miles).

• Contains step-by-step description of the route alongside 1:100,000 maps
• GPX files available to download
• Includes a separate map booklet containing OS 1:25,000 mapping with the route line
• A handy trek planner highlights the availability of facilities and public transport along the route
• Accommodation table provided

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

Seasons

May-June and September-October avoid the worst of the midges, but suitably experienced backpackers can do this walk at any time of year.

Centres

The walk traditionally starts in Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow (accessible by rail), and concludes at Fort William (likewise). There are few towns or villages en route where supplies can be had: Drymen, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Kinlochleven

Difficulty

The walking is not difficult for anyone accustomed to regular walks longer than 10 miles, although there is ample scope to shorten almost all of the days, and to offload the pack carrying onto an independent service that will transport your baggage for you.

Must See

The West Highland Way embraces diversity, from the urbanity of Milngavie to the days in the company of Loch Lomond, and then the striding splendour of Rannoch Moor. The haul from Glencoe, under the gaze of Buachaille Etive Mòr, up the Devil’s Staircase, then into the hidden valley of Lairig Mòr, are stages to be savoured.

Specifications

• Edition: Fourth
• Number of pages: 144
• Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 0.9cm
• Weighs 250g

Contents

• Introduction
  
• From the Lowlands to the Highlands
  
• How hard and how remote?
  
• Planning your trip
  
• Suggested itineraries
  
• When to go
  
• Getting there and back
  
• Transport along the route
  
• First nights and last nights
  
• Accommodation en route
  
• Facilities en route
  
• Pack-carrying services
  
• Cash management
  
• Preparation and what to take
  
• Planning day by day
  
• Using this guide
  
• Digital and printed maps
  
• Waymarking
  
• Emergencies
  
• Weather forecasts
  
• Phones and internet
  
• All about the Highlands
  
• Geography
  
• Geology
  
• Plants and wildlife
  
• History and culture
  
• Food and drink
  
• The West Highland Way
  
• Stage 1 Milngavie to Drymen
  
• Stage 2 Drymen to Rowardennan
  
• Stage 3 Rowardennan to Crianlarich
  
• Stage 4 Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy
  
• Stage 5 Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse
  
• Stage 6 Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
  
• Stage 7 Kinlochleven to Fort William
• Appendix A Useful contacts
  
• Appendix B Accommodation
  
• Appendix C Further reading