DaveWalks.co.uk

On The Go Map

My Route is to follow the West Highland Way North from Glasgow to Fort William, followed by the Great Glen Way North from Fort William to Inverness.

www.maps.ie/map-my-route/viewMap.php?route=268411

I am hoping to spend 9 days walking and have broken down what I hope to cover each day.

If you’d like to read more about where I’ll be staying every night you can find that out here: Where I’ll Stay – DaveWalks.co.uk

There are loads of really good websites devoted to both the West Highland Way, and the Great Glen Way. You can find some of these here:

As I haven’t walked either of these before I won’t try and describe the stages, but I’ll outline what I hope to cover each day and include links for some of my favourite websites to describe the terrain and scenery.

If you’d like to jump to a specific section you can do so here:

1 Day One

Day One:

Home – Milngavie – Drymen

Miles today: 19
Total Mileage so far: 19

I plan to leave from my house in Glasgow and walk to Milngavie to the beginning of the West Highland Way. This is approximately 8 miles. I’ll then join the West Highland way for the walk to Drymen and my first nights stop.
Drymen is a little earlier than the usual first stop for a 5 days walk on the West Highland Way, but I’ve done this because I’ve added on the distance to walk from my house to Milngavie, and also so it fits in with my very specific stop tomorrow…..

There are no links for the walk from my home to Milngavie, but here are some for the first section of the West Highland Way to Drymen:

West Highland Way 1: Milngavie to Drymen (Walkhighlands)

Milngavie to Drymen – West Highland Way

3 Day Three

Day Three:

Inversnaid – Bridge of Orchy

Miles today: 25
Total Mileage so far: 67

I’ll need to be up early today as this is the longest day of my entire trip! First I will need to complete the rocky path along the shore of Loch Lomond and make up the six miles from my overnight stop to Inverarnan. After that it’s onwards to Tyndrum by mid afternoon and then Bridge of Orchy for the end of the day. I’m apprehensive about today as not only is it the longest day of the whole trip, it also has the biggest elevation change of the journey, from 0m to around 350m between Inverarnan and Tyndrum, before a small descent and a climb again between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy! Many travellers would continue on past Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran, but this has another steep climb and with the distance covered today I’m sure by the time I arrive at Bridge of Orchy I’ll be very ready for a rest!

Here are some links covering my day once I reach Inverarnan. Again, these cover up to Inveroran, but I’m stopping just short of that in Bridge of Orchy!

West Highland Way 4: Inverarnan to Tyndrum (Walkhighlands)
West Highland Way 5: Tyndrum to Inveroran (Walkhighlands)

Inverarnan to Tyndrum – West Highland Way
Tyndrum to Inveroran – West Highland Way

4 Day Four

Day Four:

Bridge of Orchy – Kinlochleven

Miles today: 21
Total Mileage so far: 88

Today begins with another steep climb away from Bridge of Orchy followed by a descent into Inveroran. After this it’s a more gradual ascent on the way towards Kingshouse. In the afternoon it’s the Devils Staircase and the highest point of the entire journey at 550 metres up followed by a sharp descent into Kinlochleven for dinner and hopefully some magnificent views of Loch Leven.

These links cover the section after I’ve reached Inveroran up to Kinlochleven:

West Highland Way 6: Inveroran to Kings House (Walkhighlands)
West Highland Way 7: Kings House to Kinlochleven (Walkhighlands)

Inveroran to Kingshouse – West Highland Way
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven – West Highland Way

5 Day Five

Day Five:

Kinlochleven – Fort William

Miles today: 15
Total Mileage so far: 103

My last day of the West Highland Way today! An ascent out of Kinlochleven to start the day but once the climb is complete there is less elevation change until the descent down to Fort William. A shorter day today with no intermediate stopping places. I’m sure by the time I get to Fort William I will be in need of a good rest though! I have a day off scheduled in Fort William!

Links for todays travels:

West Highland Way 8: Kinlochleven to Fort William (Walkhighlands)

Kinlochleven to Fort William – West Highland Way

And here are some links for the town of Fort William, the end of the West Highland Way!

Visit Fort William—Find places to stay and things to do in Fort William

Fort William & Lochaber – Holidays, Travel and Tourist Info | VisitScotland

6 Day Six

Day Six:

Fort William – Gairlochy

Miles today: 11
Total Mileage so far: 114

Only a half day today so I’m planning to head out in the afternoon from Fort William to join the Great Glen Way. This will take me out through Inverlochy and Caol and along the path between the River Lochy and the Caledonian Canal. Gairlochy is very small, and most walkers would pass straight through on their way along the Great Glen Way, but I was very lucky to find a self catering accommodation available with what looks like amazing views towards Ben Nevis. I’m really excited to stay here so hopefully I get there early enough to make the most of it!

Here are some links to describe the section covered today:

Great Glen Way 1: Fort William to Gairlochy (Walkhighlands)

Fort William to Gairlochy Information – Great Glen Way (highland.gov.uk)

7 Day Seven

Day Seven:

Gairlochy – Fort Augustus

Miles today: 25
Total Mileage so far: 139

Another longer day today to make up for the short journey yesterday, but thankfully it’s much flatter than I had on day two! Setting out from Gairlochy I’ve got a walk along the Western shore of Loch Lochy towards Laggan Locks in the first half of the day followed by a walk along Loch Oich and the Caledonian Canal to reach the locks at Fort Augustus by the end of the day.

Here are some descriptive websites for todays section of the journey:

Great Glen Way 2: Gairlochy to Laggan (Walkhighlands)
Great Glen Way 3: Laggan to Fort Augustus (Walkhighlands)

Gairlochy to Laggan Locks Information – Great Glen Way (highland.gov.uk)
Laggan Locks to Fort Augustus Information – Great Glen Way (highland.gov.uk)

8 Day Eight

Day Eight:

Fort Augustus – Drumnadrochit

Miles today: 23
Total Mileage so far: 162

A short walk of 9 miles through the woodland to reach Invermoriston in the first part of the penultimate day, but this is followed by elevation changes returning in the second part. A climb up away from Invermoriston should allow for beautiful views back down the Great Glen towards Fort William and Ben Nevis – weather permitting of course. The day finishes with a descent into Drumnadrochit and the last stop before (hopefully!) finishing the journey tomorrow!

Here are todays sections:

Great Glen Way 4 High Route: Fort Augustus to Invermoriston (Walkhighlands)
Great Glen Way 5 High Route: Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit (Walkhighlands)

Fort Augustus to Invermoriston Information – Great Glen Way (highland.gov.uk)
Invermoriston to Drumnadrochit Information – Great Glen Way (highland.gov.uk)

9 Day Nine

Day Nine:

Drumnadrochit – Inverness

Miles today: 20
Total Mileage so far: 182

The final day of the journey involves an ascent up out from Drumnadrochit followed by a level walk for a while offering great views, followed by a more gradual descent back down and the last six miles are relatively flat through the woodland and farmland leading into Inverness. The final few steps of the journey are along the banks of the River Ness and the journey ends at Inverness Castle. Just enough time to get a photo and then I’m off to find my hotel for a lie down!

Here is a description of the final day of my walk:

Great Glen Way 6: Drumnadrochit to Inverness (Walkhighlands)

Drumnadrochit to Inverness Information – Great Glen Way (highland.gov.uk)