West Highland Way Walking Holidays
Walking the West Highland Way takes you through Scotland’s most breath-taking landscapes—a must-do adventure for hiking enthusiasts.
- Nights
- 4 to 10 Nights
- Distance
- 43 to 96 miles
- Location
- West Scotland
- Difficulty
- Moderate – Challenging
- Season
- Mar to Oct
- Price from
- £605
Highlights
Scotland’s Flagship Walking Trail: A Journey Through Dramatic Scenery
- Conic Hill
- Offers breath-taking panoramic views over Loch Lomond, the largest area of fresh water in Britain.
- Loch Lomond Shoreline
- Beautiful lakeside path with beaches, forests, and stunning water views.
- Rannoch Moor
- Vast, remote moorland with dramatic, untouched landscapes.
- Buachaille Etive Mòr
- the 'Great Herdsman of Etive', one of Scotland's most photographed mountains and towers over the trail.
- Devil’s Staircase
- Ascend to the highest point of the route (550m) with rewarding panoramic Highland views.
- Camaraderie with fellow walkers and local people along this iconic route
Discover Scotland’s Iconic West Highland Way
Embarking on the West Highland Way takes you on an iconic 96-mile adventure through Scotland’s rugged beauty. Starting in Milngavie near Glasgow and concluding in Fort William, this long-distance trail immerses you in the wild charm of the Scottish Highlands. From serene lochside paths to dramatic mountain ascents, this journey blends scenic wonder with a deep connection to Scotland’s heritage. Whether you’re seeking a physical challenge or the chance to reconnect with nature, the West Highland Way offers a once-in-a-lifetime hiking experience.
Your Journey Along the West Highland Way
Your journey begins in Milngavie, a quaint town just outside Glasgow, before leading you through peaceful lowlands and up Conic Hill. Here, panoramic views of Loch Lomond—the UK’s largest freshwater lake—unfold. The trail hugs Loch Lomond’s eastern shoreline, offering secluded beaches, forests, and spectacular vistas. As the landscape transitions, the path crosses the wild expanse of Rannoch Moor, with its untouched and otherworldly beauty. Further along, you’ll encounter the iconic Buachaille Etive Mòr, ascend the Devil’s Staircase—the route’s highest point at 550 meters—and finally descend through Nevis Forest to Fort William, with Ben Nevis towering as a stunning finale.
Immerse Yourself in Scotland’s History and Culture
The West Highland Way is a journey through Scotland’s storied past. Following ancient cattle droving paths and 18th-century military roads built after the Jacobite Risings, the trail offers a fascinating glimpse into Highland history. Many accommodations along the route are historic drovers’ inns, providing a cosy and authentic experience. Walking the trail fosters a sense of camaraderie among fellow hikers and locals, making it as much a cultural experience as a physical adventure. Immerse yourself in the traditions, stories, and hospitality of the Highlands as you explore this legendary route.
“I began walking the West Highland Way regularly in the late 1950s, only it wasn’t the West Highland Way then; it was my route from home to school, 5 miles each way, there and back. Little could I imagine the WHW would be today one of the most popular walking trails in Europe.”
Choose Your Walk
Our West Highland Way Itineraries
Milngavie to Fort William
96 miles (154.5 km)From £1,005 Per Person
From £1,140 Per Person
From £1,305 Per Person
From £1,435 Per Person
Tyndrum to Fort William
44 miles (70.8 km)From £775 Per Person
From £605 Per Person
Milngavie to Tyndrum
53 miles (85.3 km)From £790 Per Person
From £665 Per Person
Key Information
- Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Personal transfer between accommodation and path that form a part of our standard package
- Route planning
- Walk pack including Trail Guide and mapping, itinerary, accommodation directions and route notes, lunch and dinner information, restaurant recommendations and holiday planning details
Customise your trip?
Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
- Telephone
- +44 (0)1291 689 774
West Highland Way Client Reviews
4.8/5 based on 92 reviews
"Celtic Trails provided an excellent service. The staff were competent and friendly. Questions were always answered promptly."
"Unique once in a lifetime challenge!"
"They were efficient and responded promptly to queries"
"I would recommend Celtic Trails to anyone considering a long distance walking holiday. The standard of accommodation is really good, instructions are clear, always ready to answer questions when necessary."
"Very responsive, great service, no nasty surprises"
"From the first communication I had with Penny, I was impressed with how quickly she responded and followed up with answers to our questions. The itinerary was so well-detailed that we always knew what to do. The accommodations were amazing!! We never once worried about anything. Every transfer was on time. We never once gave it thought. We would arrive at our next destination and there was our luggage. Wow! I was so, so pleased with every aspect of the service, accommodations, transfers, etc. It was truly a wonderful experience."
"Turnkey, very professional, excellent communication reliable"
"Outstanding communication throughout the booking process and all follow-up questions. Books in the packet were detailed and highly useful."
"The knowledge that we were able to do such a physical task at almost 70 years of age was a great achievement and we feel stronger and more ready to do another! We also realize that pre-training is vital, so we will continue to exercise and do lengthy walks regularly. Pushing yourself to go beyond what you feared was too difficult, and succeeding through determination and the spirit of self-encouragement was rewarding and fulfilling. We also loved the comradery of the other hikers we passed and passed us as we journeyed together to achieve this undertaking. It is a special bond of like-minded support and encouragement. We never felt along. Hugs and high fives all around! Excellent accommodations, (except one host couple), great packet, very available for questions and/or concerns. I felt they really went above and beyond to make our vacation special."
Hand-Picked Accommodation: Comfort Along the Way
We seek out the best accommodation of its type available
Points of Interest
Ben Nevis
The highest mountain in the British Isles will require a separate day to complete, where walkers take an old pony track to the summit. It should take the average person 3½ - 4½ hours to scale the mountain, with approx. 2½ - 3½ hours on the way down.
Although there is a distinct track, due to the altitude navigation as you reach the top can make orientation difficult. If you are planning on climbing Ben Nevis, prior planning and suitable precautions are an absolute must.
Loch Lomond
One of the pleasures of walking the way is the significant diversity of landscape featured, from towering munros to the sprawling Loch Lomond. Its the largest body of water (by surface area) in the UK, harbouring a total of thirty small islands in its expanse, one of which, Inchconnachan, is inhabited by a colony of wallabies.
On day three of both itineraries (Drymen to Rowardennan), you'll find far reaching views over the Loch from Conic Hill.
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Customise your trip?
Looking for different mileages or a different number of nights? Please contact us to discuss how our itineraries can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.
- Telephone
- +44 (0)1291 689 774
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