Section-by-section guides

West Highland Way Stage Guides

Walking just one section, or planning your full route stage-by-stage? Each guide covers distance, ascent, terrain, what to expect, and accommodation at the end of the stage.

Milngavie → Drymen

The gentle 18.9 km opening day from Glasgow's edge to your gateway to the Highlands

Easy
18.9 km 215 m 219 m 5h 36m at hiker pace

Drymen → Balmaha

11.6 km across the Highland Boundary Fault to your first sight of Loch Lomond

Moderate
11.6 km 339 m 370 m 4h 24m at hiker pace

Balmaha → Rowardennan

13 km of oak woodland and shoreline beneath the slopes of Ben Lomond

Easy
13 km 220 m 218 m 4h 12m at hiker pace

Rowardennan → Inversnaid

10.9 km along the wild eastern shore of Loch Lomond beneath Ben Lomond

Moderate
10.9 km 215 m 209 m 3h 36m at hiker pace

Inversnaid → Inverarnan

10.5 km of the trail's most rugged lochside terrain, ending at the Drovers Inn

Strenuous
10.5 km 198 m 199 m 3h 30m at hiker pace

Inverarnan → Tyndrum

18.8 km up Glen Falloch, past Crianlarich and on to Tyndrum

Moderate
18.8 km 446 m 246 m 6h 12m at hiker pace

Tyndrum → Bridge of Orchy

An easy 10.8 km on the old military road with Beinn Dorain dominating the view

Easy
10.8 km 140 m 177 m 3h 18m at hiker pace

Bridge of Orchy → Inveroran

A short 4.1 km link over the Mam Carraigh pass to historic Inveroran Hotel

Easy
4.1 km 157 m 168 m 1h 42m at hiker pace

Inveroran → Kingshouse

15.6 km across one of Europe's last great wilderness areas

Strenuous
15.6 km 311 m 243 m 5h 06m at hiker pace

Kingshouse → Kinlochleven

14.3 km over the highest point of the West Highland Way at 550 m

Strenuous
14.3 km 355 m 588 m 5h 24m at hiker pace

Kinlochleven → Fort William

The 24.7 km final stretch through Lairig Mor to the finish at Fort William

Strenuous
24.7 km 526 m 531 m 8h 24m at hiker pace

🚶 Plan your full West Highland Way

Use the free planner to combine these stages into a personalised day-by-day itinerary.