ULTIMATE WEEKEND ▲ 3-DAY ROUTE
Head up to the Highlands for a little taster of one of the best long-distance walking routes in the UK.
The West Highland Way is a relatively accessible and popular long-distance walk, linking Glasgow to Fort William through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK. The sections from Bridge of Orchy onwards might just be the best – and the toughest – part of the route, though you still won’t climb much more than about 500m in a day.
You can camp along the way, get some affordable accommodation or make it luxurious at the Kingshouse.
I camped and cooked on the go. It was cold and there were stags roaring near my tent through the night, which added to the memories for me. However you do decide to do it, I’m sure it won’t be long until you decide to try the whole route!
GET THERE
There are good public transport links both to and between Fort William and Bridge of Orchy with the 914/915 Citilink buses or the train that drops you straight at Bridge of Orchy.
EAT & DRINK
Breakfast at the Glencoe Mountain Resort will set you up for the day and a chippy dinner in Kinlochleven will top up the calories.
STAY OVER
If you want accommodation, book ahead. Carrying your own tent at least gives you a guaranteed bed in busy times. You can camp at the Glencoe resort and Blackwater.
BEST MAP
■ Harvey National Trail Map West Highland Way (1:40k)
ROUTE 7
Bridge of Orchy
ROUTE 8
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
ROUTE 9
Kinlochleven to Fort William
Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse
1 NN300394 Bridge of Orchy station sits conveniently at the start of the route. You can get the train from Glasgow or Fort William directions. The Bridge of Orchy Hotel sits just across the road, in case you arrive late and fancy a comfortable night and some nice food. The route itself starts on the road right next to the hotel. Walk down the side road and across the bridge and just beyond it is a signpost for the West Highland Way. These marker posts are placed right through the route, so the route-finding is relatively straightforward.
The actual path on the ground is very well used and obvious throughout the entire walk. Follow it up through the felled woodland and over the hillside to the Inveroran Hotel, itself a very popular accommodation for people on the Way. Pass the hotel and continue along the road, passing an eccentrically decorated cottage. Follow it across the bridge and to the Forest Lodge.
2 NN270423 The route continues onto an old drovers road and up into the hills. Again, it’s really well signposted and a really solidly constructed path ��
