ITINERARY - West Highland Way-Independent walking
tour Scotland:
6-Day Tour
Day 1: Glasgow to
Milngavie
You have the option to arrive at Glasgow main airport or Prestwick;
which is only a short train ride outside of Glasgow. From there you will catch
a train to Milngavie where we will arrange to have you picked up and taken to
your first accommodation.
Overnight in Milngavie
Day
2: Milngavie to Drymen
Distance: 19.5 km, 12 miles; Height Gain: 200Mtrs,
600Ft
A day that is a perfect introduction to the West Highland Way and the
lowlands of the Scottish countryside. The trail follows a series of old railway
lines, country tracks and lanes, offering you some superb scenery and your first
glimpse of the Scottish Mountains. If you are lucky you may get your first glimpse
of some Roe Deer and birds of prey like the Kestrel and Red Kite. Depending on
what time of the year you do the tour, this section also offers you an abundance
of wild flowers.
Overnight in Drymen
Day 3: Drymen to
Rowardennan
Distance: 22.5 km, 14 miles; Height Gain: 345Mtrs, 1035Ft
Today's
section is broken down into two parts, the first taking you through Garadhban
Forest and across the side of your first hill, "Conic Hill", which overlooks
the small village of Balmaha (a perfect place for a liquid lunch!) and your first
glimpse of Scotland's largest freshwater loch, "Loch Lomond".
From
Balmaha the trail takes you along by the shores of Loch Lomond and into Ben Lomond
National Memorial Park.
Overnight in Rowardennan
Day
4: Rowardennan to Inverarnan
Distance: 22.5Km, 14 miles; Height Gain: 222Mtrs,
666Ft
Almost all of today's walk sees you travelling along the eastern shores
of the loch as it traverses through a mixture of woodlands; under the steep slopes
of Ben Lomond. This is probably one of the toughest days of the whole trail, but
you will be truly rewarded with spectacular and stunning scenery across the loch
and into the high distant mountains.
If luck is on your side today you may
get a glimpse of the magnificent golden eagle. Since the early 20th century golden
eagles in Scotland have recovered, having reached a low point of perhaps as few
as 150 pairs. Now there are over 420 pairs and the population is stable. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/shadow/interview2.html
Overnight in Inverarnan
Day 5: Inverarnan to Tyndrum
Distance:
20.5Km, 12.3 miles; Height Gain: 200Mtrs, 600Ft
The trail now leaves Loch Lomond
on a relatively easy section that takes you north-west along by the base of Ben
Glas Mountain, through Glen Folloch and onto Strath Fillan. As you travel along
you will cross and re-crosses the river Folloch which is the main east-west natural
divide of the Scottish Highlands.
As you pass the village of Crianlarich it
is half-way on your days walk but more importantly it is half way to Fort William!
Before
you get to your destination you will pass what remains of the ruins of St. Fillan's
Priory.
All travellers who use this wild and beautiful place will do so in
peace if they tread there path lightly
(An inscription from a plaque as you
approach the remains on the priory)
Overnight in Tyndrum
Day
6: Glasgow
After a hearty Scottish breakfast you can take the train back
to Glasgow
You may wish to extend your vacation by one
or more days where you will have the option to take a boat tour on Loch Linnhe;
http://www.activitypoint.co.uk/cgi-bin/list.cgi?r=scotland.T21(BoatTrips)&n=10
Relax and do some shopping and sightseeing in and around Fort William; or climb
the highest mountain in the British Isles; Ben Nevis 1344Mtrs; 4044FT. If you
are going to take on this challenge you need to be competent in the use of a map
and compass. Or do one of our other vacations along the West Highland Way:
10-Day's:
Tour
Itinerary
7-Day's: Tour
Itinerary
Remember we can tailor your vacation to what ever
amount of days that you want.
If you would like more information
or a detailed itinerary, please e-mail us at: info@walkinghikingireland.com


Other self-guided tours
Wicklow Way 5 day Wicklow Way 8 day Wicklow Way 10 day
West Highland Way 6 day West Highland Way 7 day West Highland Way 10 day
Glens of Antrim Dingle Way Western Way Kerry Way
Beara Way Wales Wales & Wicklow Walking Specials