The west highland line guide to britains most scenic. At 96 miles, the west highland way can be as challenging as you want to make it, however, not all of us are endurance runners that want to do it in one day, or heads down hikers who want to tear through the walk at blistering speed. Stop at glencoe, cairngorms national park, and fort augustus along the way, and upgrade to include a cruise on the legendary loch ness. I walked the route in september 2001, with a friend, tim calow. West highland way walking holidays absolute escapes. The only thing i would add is that the books estimated walking times even. The online guidebook to the popular scottish long distance footpath. There are free gps files for every section, as well as an os map on each sections page. The footpath is scotlands first long distance route and remains the most popular, with more than 15,000 walkers tackling it each year. Two lengthy 16car sleeper trains leave london for scotland every night except saturday nights and 24, 25, 31 december. There are many walking trails close to the hotel, including the great glen way, as well as the famous and impressive commando memorial. Travel between london and scotland caledonian sleeper. And of course, and most importantly, completing the west highland way. We run an independent hostel in the west highlands, right on the platform of a working train station at the bridge of orchy in oban.
Oct, 2016 make sure to bring some snacks and water along with you. Our most popular itinerary covers the route in 7 days and 8 nights. Sep 21, 2010 not the west highland way describes alternative routes over mountains, smaller hills or high passes to all but one of the west highland way s nine stages, providing alternatives away from the main roads. The west highland way route travels along the bonnie banks of loch lomond, across the atmospheric rannoch moor, past dramatic glencoe and onwards to finish at the foot of ben. Our next stop was the west highland way sleeper bunkhouse in. On the shores of loch lomond and right off the west highland way, rowardennan is an old stone mansion with huge picture windows overlooking the water. Although there is only one route, there are many different ways to travel it. The west highland way passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in all of britain. Includes an illustrated account of a journey on the west highland line, and information about the london to fort william deerstalker sleeper train. Drift off as you are pulling out of the bustling city of london, then rise in the morning in a whole new world, surrounded by wilderness scenery and the freshest, pure air. The altitude range is from sea level to 1850 ft 4408 ft if ben nevis is climbed. Travelling southbound from scotland to london euston, search for services after 19. In fort william the fort william backpackers offers beds in dorms, nice lounge and relaxed atmosphere.
Open up this book, join them on their journey, and make your own west highland way. Travelling northbound from london euston to scotland, search for services after 21. Climbing aboard the caledonian sleeper at around 9pm one evening, i felt an old excitement stirring. Avoid the west highland way sleeper in bridge of orchy if you can. Only budget accomodation on this part of west highland way. The route begins in milngavie near glasgow and after 95 miles of outstanding scenery, finishes in fort william, at the foot of ben nevis, britains highest mountain. West highland way maps, day five, walking in scotland. Find all the information you need to immerse yourself into the wild landscapes of scotland and the countrys best loved long distance walking route.
Served by a lone train station, the 4 bridge of orchy hotel is the perfect start before heading into the scottish highlands. There are thousands of people every year who simply want to complete the west highland way at a. For an oversight of the west highland way, its history, its logistics and how it feels to walk, this is the video for you. The devils staircase is part of the west highland way long distance footpath. Sometimes you will also encounter a little pub on your way.
It is one of four officiallyrecognised long distance routes in scotland. The west highland way is the most popular longdistance trail in scotland not. Download a free route guide to the west highland line from the scotrail website. The train station is still in use, but dont be put off by thinking itll be noisy as there are only about six trains passing through a. Guidebook to walking the west highland way national trail, a 95 mile scottish longdistance route from milngavie near glasgow to fort william, passing loch lomond and crossing rannoch moor. We amy and james spent five weeks in april and may walking in scotland. Nov 27, 2019 avoid the west highland way sleeper in bridge of orchy if you can. That is why we have investigated the best places to eat along the way and put them together in this nifty interactive west highland way food guide and map. Ive walked the west highland way every june since 2016, when i stumbled on it during an ill planned, all on foot attempt of the 3 peaks challenge. I think the removal of the hotel bunkhouse has been on the cards for a long time. Jul 18, 2018 the west highland way whw was opened in 1980 and became the first of four national trails to be designated in scotland. Brandnew sleeper trains were introduced on the londonglasgowedinburgh lowland route on 28 april 2019 and on the londonhighlands route from 9 october. These trails are now called scotlands great trails of which there are 29. It is 154 km 96 miles long, running from milngavie north of glasgow to fort william in the scottish highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route.
The west highland way is a classic longdistance walk, covering 154 kilometres 96 miles from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow, to fort william in the highlands. Rathad iarainn nan eilean iron road to the isles, is a scenic railway in scotland running from glasgow to fort william and mallaig, with a branch leading to oban from crianlarich. Scotlands west highland way is a 96mile trek which starts in sunny milngavie, just outside of glasgow and concludes in fort william. The west highland way a walking holiday in the scottish highlands introduction. West highland way is the most famous hike in scotland and one of the best in the world. The decision to reduce services has been taken in full cooperation with transport scotland and will allow caledonian sleeper to protect the service and staff while ensuring vital links remain in place. West highland way walking holiday sherpa expeditions. Not the west highland way guidebook cicerone press. West highland way sleeper in bridge of orchy prices 2020. Some older books and maps will show the original ending of the trail at the bridge of. The other three are the great glen way, speyside way and southern upland way.
However, it is possible to get away with a lighter sleeping bag for warmer weather periods. Walking the west highland way online guidebook for the. Older sign for the west highland way saying how it was based on drove roads, military roads, old coaching roads and disused railway lines. A complete guide to walking the west highland way watch me see. West highland way our walking holidays see below for your options along the west highland way take you into the magnificent countryside of the highlands of scotland following most of scotlands famous footpath on its course from the south of loch lomond to fort william and ben nevis, linking britains largest loch lake with its highest. If you are just here to find out about west highland way accommodation, this is where we opted to stay each evening with additional. The west highland railway was a railway company that constructed a railway line from craigendoran on the river clyde west of glasgow, scotland to fort william and mallaig. See the new train guide and see the new sleeper video two trains, five portions. Knowing that im likely going to have postponemiss this years trek breaks my heart, but at the same time, i also know that however long it takes, the highlands will be waiting. Sep 06, 2009 friday i hopped the train directly to what most consider the best multiday hike in scotland, the west highland way. The easiest access is by by the a82 between crianlarich and fort william. The west highland way was scotlands first long distance route and remains by far the most popular. The first nighttrain i took was as a sixthformer, on. Anyway, take your own sleeping bag liner, as the hostels will charge you if you dont have them.
This guide to walking the west highland way contains all the information you could need along the route, a detailed faq with trail information and some tips for tackling this. I walked the west highland way at the beginning of june and was as lucky as one can be, because i had 7 days of pure sunshine and temperatures up to 23c. The west highland way sleeper independent hostel in the west highlands, is a unique place to stay as it is located right on the platform of a working train station at the bridge of orchy in oban. Discover the spectacular landscape of scotlands western highlands while walking the west highland way, one of the worlds most famous longdistance trails. Each leg of the west highland way will be featured here, along with all the information youll need to walk these sections. The mountain istelf is near altnafeadh, where there is a car park by the a82 at base.
Caledonian sleeper is introducing a special timetable from sunday 22 march due to the ongoing outbreak of covid19. Roger smith is an experienced writer and hillwalker with an extensive knowledge of the area covered in this book and its history. Located in milngavie, west highland way rooms has wellequipped accommodation featuring free wifi, 1. Bursting with scottish heritage, culture, breathtaking scenes and magnificent landscapes, your journey along the west highland way will forge a lifetime of unforgettable memories. They are not that bothered about the lower end of the market. The accommodation is really friendly, in a beautiful location along the west highland way. Doune bothy is easily recognisable as at any given time there is likely to be at least one weary but cheerful hiker with a large rucksack sitting down eating a bar of chocolate. Passing from the lowlands to the highlands, the west highland way, which is one of scotlands great trails, showcases the splendour of glens flanked by great mountains, majestic moorland and sprawling farmland. West highland way walk with return cruise on loch lomond from tarbet. T he west highland way is the most popular longdistance trail in scotland not at last because it leads through and past some of the most iconic landscapes of the scottish highlands. The west highland way sleeper bridge of orchy bunkhouse. Ewan discusses some of the finer points of walking the route, with the background of loch lomond, shows how the baggage transfer works and how easy macs adventure make walking the west highland way.
Perhaps a cooked breakfast and packed lunch coupled with a bag carrying service is more your thing. There is available food and lodging along this 57 day trek. The west highland way route is spectacular, following the banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch moor and into the breathtaking beauty of glencoe and the very heart of the scottish highlands. The line was built through remote and difficult terrain in two stages.
They are seen at at helensburgh upper and garelochhead. Due to limited accommodation options along the west highland way, we may need to book you into a location for more than one night, with transfers tofrom the trail. We offer five suggested itineraries for walking the west highland way. Perfect for planning, the book offers stage by stage overviews for the full breadth of the network, including the popular south west coast path, hadrians wall path, west highland way, cotswold way, offas dyke path, south downs way, southern upland way and many others exploring the beauty and wild country of the british isles. West highland way walking holidays from mickledore travel. Make your way to london euston and step on board the caledonian sleeper train for your clicketyclack overnight journey into the heart of scotland. The west highland way ends close to the foot of ben nevis, whose climb can make a wonderful addition to your trip. The west highland way is one of the worlds best walks, its a classic longdistance trek, covering over 95 miles 152km from milngavie on the outskirts of glasgow to fort william in the highlands. The printed book is exactly the same price as the ebook and includes complementary downloads of the patterns too.
West highland way rooms, milngavie updated 2020 prices. Catching the night train to the scottish highlands. Myself and some friends took on the sixday hike during april to celebrate a year of 30th birthdays. There are many common pitfals that occur through lack of planning. West highland way scotlands best loved long distance.
There are thousands of people every year who simply want to complete the west highland way at a relaxed pace. The west highland way is a 96mile hike which starts just outside of glasgow in milngavie and ends in fort william many then go on to hike the munro, ben nevis. The caledonian sleeper runs six days a week, sunday to friday. The west highland way is a wellestablished and popular route, containing some landscapes of great beauty. West highland way walking tour wilderness scotland. Slighe na gaidhealtachd an iar is a 95 mile 152km long distance walk from milngavie outside glasgow to fort william in the highlands of scotland. Couples particularly like the location they rated it 9. West highland way walking tours hiking the scottish. Plus, traveling in a topoftherange, 16seat mercedes minicoach means you can feel comfortable throughout the journey to and from edinburgh. Begin or end your caledonian sleeper journey in style at one of our six guest lounges at stations throughout scotland. The west highland way kate davies and tom barr live by scotlands bestloved longdistance walking route. Fort william and the start of your west highland line journey is only 17 minutes away by train. Hiking the west highland way is a fantastic longdistance trail in scotland.
If you book with a tour outfit, you may not be able to choose where you stay. The west highland way was the first long distance footpath to be established in scotland. Towering mountains, tranquil lochs and rushing rivers combine to reward you with a unique and varied landscape as you journey 96 miles from milngavie glasgow to fort william. The west highland way sleeper aka bridge of orchy bunkhouse is an. Revel in your success, then climb ben nevis, the highest mountain in scotland if you still have the energy to spare or head to your next adventure.
The west highland way stretches 96 miles 154 km from milngavie to fort william, taking in a huge variety of scenery along the way, from countryside parks to lochshores and open moorlands to steep mountains. With addon day trips over ben lomond or beinn dorain. Guest blog walking the west highland way by dr keith thomson. Read our guest blog walking the west highland way by dr keith thomson. Take the west highland line to mallaig to travel the glenfinnan viaduct used in the harry potter films for the hogwarts. In this collaborative creative project they celebrate their home, their workplace, and the landscape which inspires them every day. The west highland railway, also known as the west highland line scottish gaelic. Caledonian sleeper london to scotland tickets, timetable. After a long and not particularly restful night on the cally sleeper up from euston, i wish id bothered to read some of my chosen guide book rather than just looking at the map. West highland way guidebook and os map booklet cicerone.
Steam train trip from fort william to mallaig return. Depending on when in the year youre planning to walk the west highland way and how warm and cosy you like to be in bed, a threeseason sleeping bag is suitable for most conditions youll face. Situated right on the west highland way hiking route, this is a. In 2009, the readers of wanderlust magazine voted the west highland line as the most scenic railway line in the. The west highland way continues around loch tulla, to the next stop at kinghouse.
The beating heart of caledonian sleeper is our club car, where you can experience the very best of scotlands food and drink. From there, we walked the west highland way to fort william. West highland way scottish highlands 2020 all you need to. Book your accommodation in advance and just hit the road. The train station is still in use, but dont be put off by thinking itll be noisy as there are only about six trains passing through a day. West highland way sleeper, bridge of orchy independent hostel on the. From the outskirts of glasgow it winds for 95 miles 152km along the wooded banks of loch lomond, across the wilderness of rannoch moor, over the mountains above glencoe to a dramatic finish at the foot of ben nevis britains highest mountain. The west highland way, from milngavie to fort william, a distance of 95 miles hills, dense woodland and wildlife make it one of the favourites with hikers from all over the world. The magic of walking in scotland can be distilled into this walk.
It should be noted here, this next part of the route is completely exposed, there is nowhere to rest or stop at in bad weather, e. The west highland way sleeper pensione bridge of orchy. West highland way sleeper bridge of orchy bunkhouse a. Sep 14, 2016 hayley fastpacks the west highland way in scotland in 3 days. The official guide 11th edition by bob aitken, roger smith isbn. Sleep on a working railway platform hostel in the beautiful scottish west highlands. Normally the route is completed from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier and will prepare you. The trek takes you along the west coast of scotland and this west highland way packing list will advise you on what best to take in your backpack and day bag. Caledonian sleeper tests on the west highland line youtube. The west highland way uk longdistance trails series. West highland way scottish highlands 2020 all you need. Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust any itinerary for you. The west highland way sleeper is uniquely situated in the old station building on the platform of bridge of orchy train station.
West highland way prices self guided walking holiday. West highland way hike the west highland way macs adventure. Planning your west highland way walk planning your own walk. West highland way selfguided walking holiday macs adventure. However you choose to build your west highland way experience, our accommodation and services section will help you find the right mix for you. Bridge of orchy station, bridge of orchy, argyll pa36 4ad. Considered by many to be the most scenic rail journey in the world, the west highland line leaves glasgow behind and delves deep into the wild west coast.
Planning your west highland way walk planning your own. The west highland way is a 95mile 152km walk from milngavie, just outside glasgow, to fort william on the west coast of scotland, at the foot of ben nevis. However there is a good track all the way to kingshouse. The west highland way sleeper is a bunkhouse in the old railway station platform building. Let me just start by saying that this is probably the raddest hike i have ever done. Aug 01, 20 revised and and updated, this guidebook includes recent modifications to the west highland way route and is accompanied by a fullcolor folding map packaged together in a practical plastic wallet. Our range of family products offer great value to our guests travelling. West highland way accommodation list includes hotels, hostels and campsites. Surrounded by rugged highland peaks and pine forests, this remote highland outpost has become a popular stopover for walkers on the west highland way. Turn right again and simply follow the west highland way footpath south for 5 km until you reach doune bothy.