How many days for the West Highland Way ?

The West Highland Way, a true gem of trekking in Scotland, offers an immersive experience in the heart of the country’s breathtaking landscapes. This trail, which reveals spectacular mountainous scenery, is typically completed in 5 to 7 days, depending on the hiking pace and experience of each adventurer.

Spanning approximately 153 kilometers, the West Highland Way is a journey through wild valleys, high mountain passes, and diverse natural wonders. The well-marked path guides you through untouched nature where tranquility reigns, offering stunning views of lochs, moors, and Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak. The traditional starting point is at Milngavie, but various access points allow you to customize the itinerary to your preference. Diverse accommodations line the trail, from mountain huts to camping sites, providing comfortable stops after demanding days of hiking.

With Outonome.com, plan your adventure on the West Highland Way. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or new to mountain trekking, our platform supports you every step of the way. Detailed information and customization tools help you prepare for your journey, making the West Highland Way an exploration that is both captivating and tailored to your desires.

The number of days you need to complete the West Highland Way depends on a number of factors, especially your physical condition. If you’re able to walk several dozen kilometers a day, you’ll be able to complete the trek more quickly. The second factor is how you want to experience West Highland Way. Do you want a great physical and sporting challenge? Or would you rather enjoy the scenery, the refuges, the sheepfolds and take your time? In that case, and depending on your physical condition, you’ll need to adapt the number of steps you take on the West Highland Way.

Here are several itineraries that follow the classic West Highland Way path. If you’d like to adapt them by taking variants or creating your own route, use the West Highland Way itinerary planning tool.

The West Highland Way in 5 steps

Doing the West Highland Way in 5 days requires good physical condition. The 5 steps of the West Highland Way cover around 31km and 900 meters of elevation gain (and loss) each.
The list of 5-day West Highland Way steps is as follows:

• Day 1 : Milngavie to Balmaha
• Day 2 : Balmaha to Beinglas
• Day 3 : Beinglas to Bridge of Orchy
• Day 4 : Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven
• Day 5 : Kinlochleven to Fort William

The West Highland Way in 6 steps

Doing the West Highland Way in 6 days requires good physical condition. The 6 steps of the West Highland Way cover around 25km and 750 meters of elevation gain (and loss) each.
The list of 6-day West Highland Way steps is as follows:

• Day 1 : Milngavie to Balmaha
• Day 2 : Balmaha to Inversnaid
• Day 3 : Inversnaid to Tyndrum Lower
• Day 4 : Tyndrum Lower to Kingshouse
• Day 5 : Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
• Day 6 : Kinlochleven to Fort William

The West Highland Way in 7 steps

Doing the West Highland Way in 7 days requires good physical condition. The 7 steps of the West Highland Way cover around 22km and 650 meters of elevation gain (and loss) each.
The list of 7-day West Highland Way steps is as follows:

• Day 1 : Milngavie to Drymen
• Day 2 : Drymen to Rowardennan (north)
• Day 3 : Rowardennan (north) to Beinglas
• Day 4 : Beinglas to Tyndrum Lower
• Day 5 : Tyndrum Lower to Kingshouse
• Day 6 : Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
• Day 7 : Kinlochleven to Fort William