The Route

The West Highland Way links Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William in the Highlands. It passes from the lowlands, across the Highland Boundary Fault Zone and on into the Scottish Highlands. Much of the Way follows ancient and historic routes of communication and makes use of Drove Roads, Military Roads and Disused Railway Tracks. For ease of reference the route is described in short sections.

The usual convention is to describe the route from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier and will prepare users for the more demanding northern stages. There is however no reason why the West Highland Way cannot be traversed from north to south, starting in Fort William and ending in Milngavie.

Due to the variety of distances involved, these should not be considered as a days activity. The planning of stage lengths should be based upon ability and fitness and take into account the opportunities available to explore places of interest along the route.

Mileages / Times

The distances and timings shown below should only be used as a guide. Mileages have been rounded to whole numbers for ease of presentation and the timings take account of the terrain but include no allowance for stops and are intended for guidance purposes only.

Milngavie to Carbeth - - - - - - - 5 miles (8 kms) / 3 - 4 hours

Carbeth to Drymen - - - - - - - - 7 miles (11.2 kms) / 3 - 4 hours

Drymen to Balmaha - - - - - - - 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Balmaha to Rowardennan - - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Rowardennan to Inversnaid - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Inversnaid to Inverarnan - - - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Inverarnan to Crianlarich - - - - 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Crianlarich to Tyndrum - - - - - 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy - - 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 - 4 hours

Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran - 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 - 2 hours

Inveroran to Kingshouse - - - 10 miles (16 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven - - 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 - 5 hours

Kinlochleven to Fort William - 16 miles (24 km) / 7 - 8 hours

At the end of each section you will find a map of the area, courtesy of MultiMap®. Use your mouse to drag the map to change the areas viewed and, if you have a wheeled mouse, wheel to zoom in or out.