With the West Highland Way being recognised by National Geographic as one of the world’s best hiking trails, in a list of top treks it calls “the holy grail of trails”, here’s what you need to know about taking on the challenge.
Taking in 96 miles of terrain including moors, woodland and mountains, the West Highland Way was opened in 1980, as the first in Scotland’s Great Trails system of paths. In June 2010 it was designated part of the International Appalachian Trail, alongside treks in Greenland, Canada and Maine.
Around 85,000 walkers use the route each year, with approximately 30,000 completing it in its entirety. Most complete the West Highland Way in around seven days, although in the annual ultramarathon the fastest runners finish it in around 17 hours.
The route begins in Milngavie, going through Mugdock Country Park, along the shores of Loch Lomond, past Ben Lomond, across Rannoch Moor, and past the pyramid shape of mountain Buachaille Etive Mor to Glen Coe. It then climbs the Devil’s Staircase, which is the highest point along the way, at 1850 ft, before descending to cross the River Leven at Kinlochleven, entering Lairigmor and Glen Nevis, and finishing at Gordon Square in Fort William.
When timing your walk, bear in mind that weekends are the busiest time on the Way, and midge season gets underway in April or May and can last into October.
You won’t need any specialist equipment to tackle the West Highland Way, but we’d recommend taking Compeed blister plasters; Avon Skin So Soft to keep the midges at bay; plenty of water and high-energy snacks like dried fruit, chocolate and bananas. Wear layers of clothing that can be added or removed as the weather sees fit, and sunscreen and sunglasses are just as important as hats, fleeces and gloves.
Comfortable walking boots are essential, as is a map of the West Highland Way and a whistle to alert others if you run into problems - there is no mobile phone signal for large stretches of the walk so don’t rely on your phone for route maps, info or keeping in touch. Take a torch with spare batteries, and a small first aid kit in a waterproof container with band-aids, painkillers, a triangular bandage which can be used to hold dressings or splints or can be used to make a sling, an elastic knee support, sterile dressings for wounds, antispetic cream, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, safety pins, scissors and tweezers, plus Dextrose energy tablets.
There is a wide range of accommodation along the route including bothies, bunkhouses, hostels, B&Bs, guest houses and hotels. Here are just a few:
{http://www.inversnaid.com/|The Inversnaid Bunkhouse|Inversnaid Bunkhouse} is a converted church on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, 800 metres from the Way.
{http://www.drymencamping.co.uk/|Drymen Camping|Dryemn Camping} is a good stop for the first night of the walk, being 11 miles from Milngavie. They have two wigwams that sleep up to six as well as pitches for your tent, and do a full Scottish breakfast to fuel the day’s walking ahead.
{http://www.syha.org.uk/hostels-in-scotland/lowlands/rowardennan-lodge.aspx|Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel|Rowardennan SYHA} offers budget accommodation on the banks of Loch Lomond and has a 4.5 star rating, and the West Highland Way passes right through the village of Rowardennan.
The Victorian three-star {http://crianlarich-hotel.co.uk/|Crianlarich Hotel|Crianlarich Hotel} is popular with West Highland Way walkers and has good reviews on Trip Advisor.
{http://www.blackwaterhostel.co.uk/|Blackwater Hostel and Campsite|Blackwater} near Glen Coe has 39 beds in ten en suite rooms and 30 camping pitches in the heart of Kinlochleven.
To finish off your walk with a little comfort, the {http://www.stayinfortwilliam.co.uk/|Distillery Guest House} is a four-star guest house at the foot of Ben Nevis is a stone’s throw away from the end of the West Highand Way.