How Long Does It Take to Do The West Highland Way Take?
Most people should allow around 8 days to complete the West Highland Way as part of a well-planned walking holiday. This provides enough time to arrive, walk the full route and travel home without trying to fit everything into a rushed schedule.
Northern Guiding’s West Highland Way holiday takes place over eight days. The itinerary includes an arrival day in Glasgow, six days of guided walking and a departure day from Fort William.
Faster walkers can complete the trail in 5 or 6 days. However, an eight-day holiday provides a more practical schedule.
How Long Is the West Highland Way?
The West Highland Way covers around 96 miles or 154 kilometres. It begins in Milngavie, near Glasgow, and finishes in Fort William.
Most people walk from south to north. This allows you to begin among the gentler countryside north of Glasgow. The landscape then becomes more remote and mountainous as you enter the Highlands.
Along the way, the route passes through or close to:
- Drymen
- Loch Lomond
- Crianlarich
- Tyndrum
- Rannoch Moor
- Glencoe
- Kinlochleven
- Fort William
The route includes woodland, lochside paths, open moorland and mountain passes. It does not require technical climbing, but the distance and varied ground make it a demanding multi-day walk.
How Many Days Do You Need for the West Highland Way?
An eight-day itinerary is a good choice for fit walkers who want to complete the full route without adding unnecessary pressure around arrival and departure.
Different schedules are possible:
|
Schedule |
What to expect |
| Five walking days |
A fast and demanding challenge with very long daily distances |
| Six walking days |
A challenging but manageable pace for fit and active walkers |
| Seven to nine walking days |
Shorter daily stages and more time to enjoy scenery |
Northern Guiding’s holiday lasts eight days, with the 96-mile route divided into six walking stages.
This creates a clear and organised schedule. Accommodation, daily luggage transfers and professional guidance are also included.
Eight-Day West Highland Way Itinerary
Our routes follow an eight-day itinerary. Including an arrival day, six walking days and a departure day. The route is divided into the following stages:
- Day one: Arrive at your accommodation in Glasgow
- Day two: Milngavie to Drymen – 12 miles
- Day three: Drymen to Rowardennan – 15 miles
- Day four: Rowardennan to Crianlarich – 20 miles
- Day five: Crianlarich to Inveroran – 16 miles
- Day six: Inveroran to Kinlochleven – 18 miles
- Day seven: Kinlochleven to Fort William – 14 miles
- Day eight: Depart or extend your stay in Fort William
Over the course of the walk, the route travels from the countryside outside Glasgow into the Scottish Highlands. Highlights include Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and the Devil’s Staircase.
The exact stages will depend on your fitness, accommodation and chosen itinerary. Independent walkers will need to arrange overnight stays and decide whether to carry their luggage or use a transfer service. Those joining our guided holiday benefit from organised accommodation and luggage transfers.
Can You Walk the West Highland Way in Five Days?
It is possible to walk the West Highland Way in five days but this is a demanding option.
You would need to cover an average of around 19 miles each day. Some stages could be even longer, depending on where you stay.
This schedule is best suited to experienced walkers who have trained for several long days in a row. It leaves less time for breaks, sightseeing or delays caused by poor weather.
Walking one long distance is very different from repeating it for several days. Tired legs, sore feet and a heavy rucksack can make the later stages much harder.
A fast itinerary may suit people focused on completing an endurance challenge. However, it may not be the best choice for a first long-distance walking holiday.
Why Choose an Eight-Day Itinerary?
An eight-day holiday allows you to arrive before the walking begins. You can start the trail rested rather than travelling to Milngavie and completing a long stage on the same day.
It also provides a separate departure day at the end of the route. After walking 96 miles, you can enjoy your final evening in Fort William before travelling home.
Other advantages include:
- A clear daily schedule
- Time to prepare before the first walk
- Six organised walking stages
- No need to walk immediately after a long journey
- A final night after completing the route
- More convenient travel planning
You should remember that this remains a challenging itinerary. Daily distances range from 12 to 20 miles, so a suitable level of fitness is required.
How Many Hours Will You Walk Each Day?
You may spend around six to nine hours walking each day. Longer stages or difficult conditions can increase this time.
Your daily walking time will depend on:
- The distance of the stage
- The amount of climbing
- The condition of the path
- Your fitness and walking pace
- The weather
- The number of breaks you take
A flat 15-mile walk may be completed much faster than a similar distance beside Loch Lomond or across exposed Highland ground.
Time should also be allowed for lunch, photographs and shorter stops. A walking holiday should give you opportunities to enjoy the landscape along the way.
Should You Choose a Guided West Highland Way Holiday?
A guided walking holiday can remove much of the work involved in organising a long-distance route.
Northern Guiding’s eight-day West Highland Way walking holiday includes:
- A qualified Mountain Leader
- Six guided walking stages
- Seven nights of bed and breakfast accommodation
- Daily luggage transfers
- A maximum group size of 12 people
- An organised route from Milngavie to Fort William
You only need to carry your essential equipment and provisions during each stage. Your main luggage is moved to the next accommodation for you.
This can make the experience more comfortable and allows you to focus on the walk.
So, How Long Does the West Highland Way Take?
You should allow around eight days for a complete and well-organised West Highland Way walking holiday.
The Northern Guiding itinerary divides the trail into six walking days. An arrival day and departure day bring the total holiday length to eight days.
This schedule is ideal for fit walkers looking for a rewarding challenge. It also removes the need to arrange your own accommodation, luggage transfers and route guidance.
With suitable training and the right equipment, you can enjoy the full journey from the countryside outside Glasgow to the mountains surrounding Fort William.