Walking the West Highland Way will take you through some of the most magnificent scenery to be found in Scotland – a once in a lifetime experience and an absolute must for the walking enthusiast.
4 to 10 nights
44 to 96 mls (km)
West Scotland
Moderate to Hard
Mar to Oct
£365
Dramatic Scenery on Scotland’s Flagship Walking Trail
Through remote woodland and farmland between the Kilpatrick Hills
Across the beautiful shores of Loch Lomond – Scotland’s largest loch
Walk through Trossachs National Park and visit the Rob Roy's Cave
Past the dramatic 30ft high Waterfalls of Falloch
Through beautiful glens and villages such as Tyndrum, Glencoe, Glen Dochart, Glen Nevis and Strath Fillan
Lairig Mor’s ‘great pass' - through the central Cairngorms
Old cattle droving and 18C military ‘roads’ that once linked the highlands to the lowlands are the make up of a route that can prove challenging in places but also one of the most rewarding in Europe.
An advantage that comes with being Scotland's most popular long-distance trail is that the route is well waymarked. Beginning at the town of Milngavie, just northward of Glasgow, you then trace an outline along the shores of Loch Lomond, where you are met by the striking features of the Western Highlands. The journey ends at Fort William, but the rewards are magnificent; here, you are met with Britain's highest mountain - Ben Nevis.
Walking the West Highland Way, you'll find that many of the hotels along this route originated from old droving inns and have been in operation for centuries. These places have an old and curious lineage, and references to these longstanding lodgings have cropped up in the travel anecdotes of many famous writers including Wordsworth and Dr. Johnson.
Our linear West Highland Way walking holiday route takes you from Milngavie to Fort William.
Path Walkthrough
Setting out from Milngavie, walking The West Highland Way begins life as a pleasant pastoral route through the lowland's county lanes. Once you get to Conic Hill the scenery begins to evolve, and scaling the hill you're greeted with your first sight of Loch Lomond on the descent.
From here the trail becomes more rugged and demanding as you walk lochside into Rowardennan and Crianlarich. From then on, its distinctive highland scenery - glens with striking mountain views.
There are strenuous sections out of Glencoe and on to Rannoch moor before arriving at Kinlochleven. Descending through Nevis forest, Ben Nevis comes into view where the trail ends at Fort William.
"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."
Please book early to secure availability. Please be aware that West Highland Way accommodation gets booked up very early in the season, particularity for Spring start dates. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Please book early to secure availability. Please be aware that West Highland Way accommodation gets booked up very early in the season, particularity for Spring start dates. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
High standard accommodation at a mixture of Guesthouses, Farmhouses, local Inns and B&Bs with en-suite or private facilities wherever possible
Breakfast
Luggage transfers (one bag per walker, max 18kg per bag)
Personal transfer between accommodation and path where necessary
Route planning
Walk Pack including Trail Guide, itinerary, accommodation directions, local interest leaflets and holiday plannin
You choose which day you would like your holiday to start on. We will book your holiday in accordance with your requirements.
Our West Highland Way holidays are available to walk March to October.
Walking The West Highland Way in winter conditions is not advised. Late spring is a good time to walk, you should be able to avoid the crowds as well as the midges.
Please note that we are no longer able to take bookings along the West Highland Way in May 2020, due to a lack of availability with our trusted hosts. There is also limited availability in June. If you are keen to walk during these months, we suggest considering the Great Glen Way.
By Rail: Railway stations are located in Milngavie and Fort William.
Trains to Glasgow operate on a regular basis at both stations, there is also a train to Edinburgh Waverley at Milngavie - twice hourly on weekdays.
There is also a sleeper service out of Fort William to London Euston at approximately 1700 hours each afternoon.
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. Call one of our helpful team on +44 (0)1291 689774 or e-mail us here.
West Highland Way Client Reviews
4.9/5 based on 25 reviews
Celtic Trails coordinated our trip with short notice and was able to provide spectacular accommodations. Anon. - October 2019
This is our 2nd time booking with Celtic Trails. very happy. Nathan, our contact, was outstanding. Courteous, helpful, professional.
Hiking is good for the soul! It clears the mind and helps to reconnect and take time out for oneself.
Scotland is beautiful and so were the folks along the way. C & B Schueler - October 2019
Celtic Trails were very helpful and supportive.
A walking holiday is just about one of the best things to do - camaraderie, mental health, fitness. Beauty for the soul. Anon. - October 2019
Celtic Trails are my preferred company - I would recommend them to a friend.
This walk improved my health and well-being. A very relaxing vacation. Anon. - September 2019
Absolutely amazing organisation - perfect in every way: So responsive, fast, excellent communication and organisation. Was a pleasure doing business with you.
I enjoyed magical scenery, meeting all the wonderful people along the way and super cosy and nice accommodation.
I had a superb experience! A. Borovac - August 2019
I loved the whole experience and this was definitely helped by the fantastic organisation of Celtic Trails. I had no worries about anything, except the walking and the weather. Thank you so much - fantastically organised! Anon. - July 2019
With Celtic Trails, we were in good hands - they helped us save time in the planning process.
It was lovely to be in the fresh air, clean air. A good opportunity to get to know yourself a bit better :-) A. Bjerge - July 2019
Nice variety of B&Bs, guest houses, inns and hotels. Loved the snacks provided. Scotland is lovely - we plan to return to walk some more.
Celtic Trails were through and easy - we would recommend to a friend.
I teach in an inner city high school; it was 'relaxing' to be outside and challenge myself mentally and physically to walk to West Highland Way. M. Smoyer - July 2019
Celtic Trails are the best way to do a long-distance walk. Walking is a great way to discover the scenery and the people. W. Lefort - July 2019
I would describe Celtic Trails as a fantastic, hassle-free hiking experience.
After this holiday, I can't see me doing any other type of holiday at all. A fantastic way to keep active and occupied, whilst seeing and experiencing a new place (and going places inaccessible to motor vehicles). S. Ress - July 2019
Very informative company. Anon - July 2019
Easy to book, professional, no hassle, everything taken care of. Much better standard of accommodation and better communication than companies we've used previously.
We enjoyed everything ... except the rain. Will be in touch soon to book another one. Massey - June 2019
Much better standard of accommodation and better communication than other companies.
Easy to book, professional, no hassle, everything taken care of.
We will be back in touch soon to book another break. P. Massey - June 2019
We love Celtic Trails! We have recommended you to many friends - excellent accommodations and very good attention to detail. We used another company to walk the coast to coast in 2017 and their service fell well short of yours. We highly recommend the West Highland Way - not too challenging, but breathtakingly beautiful. S. Saunders - April 2019
We chose Celtic Trails because they were more locally based and had a very thorough website.
We most enjoyed the trail variety, the scenery, exploring rural and remote parts of Scotland and the lovely, local people. Sidloski & Zaluski - September 2018
We would choose to travel with you again. We liked the luggage transfers and the quality of the accommodations. The best thing about a long-distance walking holidays is the scenery, the sense of achievement and the fresh air. S.D. - June 2018
Celtic Trails didn't just meet our expectations, they exceeded them. Mr Cross - May 2018
"We loved our holiday!!" M. Lindsay - May 2017
"I enjoyed the lovely proper cooked in food in pubs. The organisation was great, the accommodation good and I enjoyed meeting people." Mr D Smith - April 2015
"Overall I had an amazing time! I walked from end to end & met so many interesting people on the way. At the end of every day I appreciated the warm hospitality and the clean comfortable rooms to spend the night.' 'Thanks so much for organising this holiday for me. It is unforgettable!" Heys - June 2014
"An outstanding trip!" Mrs Dunn & Mr Prentice - June 2014
"Thank you, it was awesome! :)" Sears - June 2011
"Thank you Nathan for a very well organised walk and for the literature about it. It really was a great experience and everything (apart from the weather) went like clockwork. The one good thing about the weather was that there were not midges, and it was dry crossing Rannoch Moor." Mr & Mrs Cowan - June 2011
"IT WAS PERFECT. Just magnificent, magical and atmospheric. The accommodation was excellent, all was totally smooth and though the weather was kind, it was really good to know Celtic Trails were there if things hadn't gone so smoothly." Kelly - May 2010
"Lovely to arrive at the day to find we were expected and our bags had arrived. We were pleased with the accommodation and we thank you for helping us with our requests. We found everyone most welcoming and met some lovely like-minded people along the 'way'. Thank you." Mr & Mrs Maund - April 2010
Leave your own review of your West Highland Way Walking Holiday with us - add review.
Please note that we are no longer able to take bookings along the West Highland Way in May 2020, due to a lack of availability with our trusted hosts. There is also limited availability in June. If you are keen to walk during these months, we suggest considering the Great Glen Way.
What Happens Next?
We will check your details and come back to you within two working days with a personalised estimate based on your requirements. We will then formally request a deposit of £150 per person (£100 per person for a single centre break) and book all your arrangements - find out about our full booking process here.
Please note this does not constitute a booking confirmation, we kindly ask you to refrain from booking any travel until we have confirmed all your arrangements.
Still Have Questions?
If you are still unsure on any of your requirements, please do enquire with us first and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you with any queries you have.
Walk 
Milngavie to Fort William
