Arrive in Milngavie, Scotland 

Meet your Wander Beyond Travel Host for orientation at 6pm in your hotel lobby. Optionally, join your Host for dinner after the meeting

Included: Overnight at Premier Inn - Milngavie or similar, Milngavie.

Milgavie to Dryman: 12.5 miles / 19.5km

Ascent/Descent: +250m (+820ft) /-240m (-785ft)

After setting off from Milngavie, today’s route passes through the ancient earldom of Lennox between the Campsie Fells and Blane Water. You follow a series of good paths through beautiful rural scenery to the small village of Drymen. A recommended stop is the Glengoyne Distillery, where you can take a tour and enjoy a wee dram to send you on your way. Enroute to Drymen is the Beech Tree Inn, which has a lovely garden and serves great food. Drymen is slightly off the route, so refer to your map to ensure that you don’t overshoot the mark.

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Braeside B&B or similar, Dryman

Dryman to Rowardenn: 14.5 Miles | 23.5km 

Ascent/Descent: +460m (+1510ft) /-490m (-1610ft)  

Leave Drymen and walk through a forest plantation before the ascent of Conic Hill, which sits astride the Great Divide separating the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. The climb is fairly steep but on reaching the summit you can enjoy fantastic views over Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest body of fresh water covering 27 square miles. You will descend a steep path towards Balmaha, a small village nestling in a protected bay on the shores of bonnie Loch Lomond. 

From Balmaha the path alternates between the loch shore, natural forest, and headlands. There are numerous short steep climbs along this section of the route. The scenery, forest, and birdlife between Balmaha and Rowardennan are outstanding.

Note: During peak months, all accommodation at Rowardennan fills up well in advance. If there is no availability when you register, you will automatically be booked into alternative accommodation in Balmaha or Drymen. To get to/from the West Highland Way, a short return transfer will be arranged and a small supplement charge to cover the transfers will be added to your booking.

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Rowardennan Hotel or Similar

Rowardennan to Inverarnan: 14.5 miles | 23km

Ascent/Descent: +278m (+912ft) /-273m (-896ft)

Your most challenging day so far. Leaving Rowardennan, the West Highland Way follows forestry roads and gently climbs high up above Loch Lomond, giving fantastic views over the water and towards the peaks of the Arrochar Alps. As you close in on Inversnaid the path narrows and becomes more undulating, passing over a spectacular bridge and waterfall as you arrive at Inversnaid Hotel.

Departing Inversnaid, you pass through the RSPB Inversnaid Nature Reserve and then close by to Rob Roy’s Cave. The path from Inversnaid to the head of the loch is notably rugged, featuring rocky terrain, tree roots crossing the trail, and some steep steps. After leaving the lochside and passing Doune Bothy the path improves but it may seem a very long two miles from Ardleish to Inverarnan where the lovely Beinglas Farm marks the end of your day. Leave the way and follow the signs for Inverarnan. The 300-year old Drovers Inn is world-famous and provides the ideal location for your end-of-day refreshment.

If you are staying across the loch at Ardlui Hotel, then look out for the sign pointing to the little ferry (Around 2 miles before the end of this section). Walk down to the loch shore and call the ferry by raising the ball (you'll be returned to this same spot the following day).

Please ensure you check your itinerary for details of your overnight stay.

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Ardlui Hotel or Similar, Inverarnan

Inverarnan to Tundrum: 12 miles | 19km

Ascent/Descent: +385m (+1265ft) /-180m (-590ft)

The trail climbs out of Inverarnan beside the River Falloch towards Crianlarich. Mighty Ben More and Stob Binnean provide a fantastic backdrop to your walk, and the views back down towards Loch Lomond are first class. After Crianlarich you enjoy a period of secluded woodland walking before making your way back to the valley floor and through farmland surrounded by towering highland scenery.  

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Glengarry House B&B or Similar, Tundrum

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy: 7 Miles | 11km

Ascent/Descent: +105m (+345ft) /-150m (-495ft) 

Get ready for a great day of walking! The scenery is stunning and now that you are getting into your stride you will love the fast-going on military roads. Follow the valley towards ever-wilder parts of the Highlands. Arrive in Bridge of Orchy, a small hamlet surrounded by mountains. The hotel sits on the banks of the River Orchy and gets its name from the arched stone bridge crossing the river. The hotel here serves delicious meals so prepare for a cosy evening of food and perhaps a wee dram by the fire.  

Included: Breakfast, overnight at Bridge of Orchy Hotel or similar.

Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse: 12.5 Miles | 19.5km

Ascent/Descent: +445m (+1460ft) /-375m (-1230ft)

There is a steep climb as you leave Bridge of Orchy, but you are rewarded with amazing views over Loch Tulla and the Black Mount hills. A short descent brings you to the isolated Inveroran Hotel.

This is our favourite section of the West Highland Way. Leaving Inveroran skirt Loch Tulla and join the military road across the Rannoch Moor, a wonderful, lonely, and exposed place that was once covered by a giant icecap and is today covered in a bog. There is no shelter and in bad weather, it can be exposed, whilst in good weather, Rannoch Moor is simply inspiring. The original 17th-century hotel at Kingshouse has now been replaced with a refurbished hotel, which provides unrivaled views of Buachaille Etive Mor, perhaps Scotland’s most photographed mountain. 

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Kingshouse or similar.

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven: 9 miles | 14.5km

Ascent/Descent: +340m (+1115ft) /-580m (-1900ft)

From Kingshouse you follow an old military road to Altnafeadh, which gives great views of the famous ‘weeping glen’ and site of the Glencoe Massacre in 1692. Then you zigzag up the Devil’s Staircase to the highpoint of the West Highland Way at 548m, which gives stunning views towards Ben Nevis, given clear weather. From here wind your way down into the small town of Kinlochleven, marking the end of a pleasant day on the trail.

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Allt Na Leven B&B or similar, Kinlochleven

Kinlochleven to Fort William: 15 Miles | 24km

Ascent/Descent: +505m (+1650ft) /-510m (-1670ft)

The initial sharp climb out of Kinlochleven is worth it for the fantastic views it brings, and once over the top, you follow a wonderfully remote valley past deserted sheilings towards Fort William. Enter a beautiful area of cultivated forest and follow a narrow winding track into Glen Nevis. Towering ahead is Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, and you follow a wide forestry road down to the Visitor Centre. The final two miles are along the Glen Nevis road, bringing you to the official end of the West Highland Way at the main street of Fort William, where your adventure comes to a close.

Included: Breakfast, overnight at Myrtle Bank Guest House or similar, Fort William

Free Day in Fort William

Optional Activities:

• Climb Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland (weather permitting)
• Ride the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola and take a gentle hike to Steall Waterfall in Glen Nevis
• Take a cruise on Loch Linnhe for wildlife spotting
• Jacobite Steam Train: For a full-day excursion, book a trip on the famous "Hogwarts Express" from Fort William to Mallaig and back, which takes about six hours round trip.
• Visit the Ben Nevis Distillery 
• Shop and dine on High Street

Included: Breakfast, Overnight at Myrtle Bank Guest House or Similar, Fort WIlliam

Depart Fort William

After breakfast your trip on the West Highland Way has come to an end. Bid adieu to your new friends and depart at any time. We recommend booking your flight out of Geneva after 12pm to allow time for a transfer.

Included: Breakfast

Optional: Extend your stay with a 2-night stay in the capital city of Edinburgh. Call Wander Beyond Travel at 737-346-6033 for help planning your extension