West Highland Way Walking Holidays
Walk Scotland’s best-known long-distance trail from Milngavie to Fort William through classic Highland scenery of lochs, glens and mountain passes.
- Nights
- 4 to 10 Nights
- Distance
- 43 to 96 miles
- Location
- West Scotland
- Difficulty
- Moderate – Challenging
- Season
- Mar to Oct
- Price from
- £615
Highlights
Scotland’s Flagship Walking Trail: A Journey Through Dramatic Scenery
- Conic Hill
- Panoramic views across Loch Lomond and its scattered islands.
- Loch Lomond Shoreline
- Wooded paths and open stretches along Scotland’s largest loch.
- Rannoch Moor
- A wide and remote expanse of Highland moorland.
- Buachaille Etive Mòr
- Towering above the trail near Glencoe, this striking Highland peak is one of Scotland’s most recognisable mountains.
- Devil’s Staircase
- Climb to 550 metres, the highest point on the route.
- Highland Hospitality
- Share the trail with fellow walkers and welcoming Highland communities.
Walking the West Highland Way
The West Highland Way is Scotland’s most established long-distance walking route, stretching 96 miles from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. It offers a gradual journey north into increasingly dramatic Highland landscapes, from wooded lowlands to open moor and mountain passes.
The trail combines varied terrain with a strong sense of progression and achievement. It is regarded as one of Britain’s classic long-distance walks, suitable for regular walkers seeking a sustained and rewarding challenge.
Your Journey Along the West Highland Way
From Milngavie, the route passes through farmland before climbing Conic Hill, where wide views open across Loch Lomond. The path then follows the loch’s eastern shoreline, with wooded stretches, rocky sections and quieter bays marking the transition into more rugged terrain.
Beyond Loch Lomond, the landscape broadens across Rannoch Moor, one of Scotland’s most remote and atmospheric settings. The route continues beneath the striking form of Buachaille Etive Mor and climbs the Devil’s Staircase to 550 metres, the highest point of the trail, before descending through forest towards Fort William.
The West Highland Way may be walked in full or in shorter sections, and in either direction.
History and Character of the Route
The West Highland Way follows historic drovers’ roads and sections of military road constructed in the 18th century after the Jacobite Risings. These routes once linked Highland communities with markets in the south and formed part of the government’s efforts to control the region.
Today, traces of that history remain visible in the landscape and in the character of the inns and settlements along the way. Walking the West Highland Way offers not only varied scenery, but also a clear sense of Scotland’s past and its enduring Highland culture.
“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 £1,020 Per Person
From £1,155 Per Person
From £1,320 Per Person
From £1,450 Per Person
Tyndrum to Fort William
44 miles (70.8 km)From £790 Per Person
From £615 Per Person
Milngavie to Tyndrum
53 miles (85.3 km)From £810 Per Person
From £680 Per Person
Key Information
- Good standard accommodation at a mixture of guesthouses, farmhouses, local inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities
- 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
Loch Lomond
One of the pleasures of walking the West Highland Way is the diversity of landscape, from wooded lowlands and open moor to the vast waters of Loch Lomond. By surface area, it is the largest body of freshwater in Britain and is dotted with around thirty islands, including Inchconnachan, home to a small colony of wallabies.
On the Drymen to Rowardennan stage, far-reaching views open up from Conic Hill across the loch and its islands.
Media Gallery
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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