Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSunday8 August 2027Friday20 August 2027
Overview
The West Highland Way is a 96 mile route linking Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, with Fort William in the Highlands. It is Scotland’s best loved long-distance trail. Along the way walkers pass numerous hills and mountains, including some of the most famous in Scotland.
Inspired by Ronald Turnbull’s ‘Not the West Highland Way’ guidebook, our West Highland Way Plus gives walkers the chance to add further challenge and mountain exploration to what is already fantastic trail. On this trek we will take diversions from the main trail to ascend prominent summits and take higher mountain passes, really adding to the adventure of the West Highland Way.
We will traverse Ben Lomond high above Loch Lomond, ascend the Munros which stand tall over Bridge of Orchy, and take a high pass over the Mamores mountain range into Glen Nevis. This trek culminates with an ascent of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain.
Highlights of the West Highland Way Plus
- Fantastic views of Loch Lomond and the Arrochar hills from Conic Hill and Ben Lomond.
- A remote mountain pass between Ben Lui and Ben Oss.
- Summitting Beinn Dorain which stands tall between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy.
- Climbing over the Mamores mountains to descend into Glen Nevis.
- Finishing atop Scotland's highest mountain.
Itinerary
Each day, you will be guided along the route by your qualified and friendly walking guide, and all the logistics of your trek will be managed by your trek manager, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
We will be with you from the moment you set off in the morning to the moment you arrive at your accommodation in the evening. You will only need to carry your day bag, with essentials to keep you warm, dry, fed, and hydrated for the day. Your main luggage will be transported to your next accommodation for you.
Everything will be taken care of so that you can just enjoy the walking and the views!
Today is the day we will all make our way to Milngavie to begin our West Highland Way Plus adventure. In the evening, you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group, as well as your guides, for a welcome evening and briefing. This will be in a local pub/restaurant where you will have the option of an evening meal.
Accommodation in or near Milngavie
This is the first day of walking, where the trip really begins! The first two days will follow the regular West Highland Way route as we head for the Highlands.
We will start by walking out of the urban area of Milngavie, leaving hectic town-life behind us. We will make our way through the tranquil woodlands of Mugdock Country Park, before walking along the west side of Craigallan Loch, a popular spot for local fishermen and with a place in walking and climbing history.
For much of the rest of the day we will gain views over the Campsie Fells before eventually reaching Drymen for our first stop, which is just off the trail itself (2/3 of a mile into Drymen).
Distance: 12 miles (19 km)
Total ascent: 250m
Time: 5.5-6.5 hours
Accommodation in or near Drymen
Today we will be walking to Rowardennan with highlights of the day including the walking over Conic Hill.
From the top, the islands on Loch Lomond can be seen in a straight line, following the Highland Boundary Fault. From here we will be walking through the village of Balmaha and will spend much of the rest of the day following the wooded shores of Loch Lomond until we reach Rowardennan.
Once there you will be transferred back to Drymen for a second night.
Distance: 15 miles (24 km)
Total ascent: 640m
Time: 7.5-9 hours hours
Accommodation in or near Drymen
After returning to the trail at Rowardennan we will begin an ascent of Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro. The main route up is a good mountain trail.
From the summit will take the continuation of the Ptarmigan Ridge (some very minor scrambling) before leaving the trail altogether to head for Inversnaid across very rough moorland. We will re-join the main WHW route at Cailness on Loch Lomond’s shores for the final short section to Inversnaid.
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Total ascent: 1230m
Time: 6.5-7.5 hours
Accommodation in Inversnaid, Tarbet or Aberfoyle
After our first mountain day, today is a shorter one. The route follows the wooded shore of Loch Lomond. Rocks and roots and many ups and downs make this a physically demanding section. Careful footwork is required, and often people find this the toughest section of walking on the West Highland Way. We will end our day at Beinglas Campsite, Inverarnan.
Distance: 6.5 miles (10.5 km)
Total ascent: 340m
Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation in Invernarnan, Crianlarich or Tynrdum
For our second diversion we head north-west into the mountains. A high pass between Ben Lui and Ben Oss, makes for a remote alternative to the regular West Highland Way. It is also possible to add on the summit of Ben Lui itself. This would add on significant ascent and descent to the day. If we choose this option will be determined by energy levels and the weather, and will be the decision of your guide.
From the pass we will descend over rough pathless ground to the River Cononish. This will be followed to Dalrigh where we will pick up the West Highland Way for a pleasant woodland finish into Tyndrum.
Distance: 13.5 miles (22 km)
Total ascent: 750m
Time: 7.5-8 hours
Accommodation in Tyndrum or Crianlarich
Today will be a chance to rest the legs!
Accommodation in Tyndrum or Crianlarich
Today we will start on the regular route out of Tyndrum and as we crest the first hill the imposing slopes of Beinn Dorain will come into view. We will head round the back of the mountain to reach its summit from the north-east. After the first 11km of good track the terrain will become rougher and pathless.
Once the main ridgeline is reached the going is relatively good and the views fantastic. At the bealach (Gaelic for mountain pass) we will have a choice to make – a second Munro or to head down to Bridge of Orchy. As before, energy levels, time and the weather will all be factored into this decision. The ground on either option is rough, rocky and boggy.
2 Munros Distance: 15 miles (24 km); Total ascent: 1300m; Time: 8-9 hours.
1 Munro Distance: 13 miles (21 km); Total ascent: 1020; Time: 7.5-8.5 hours.
Accommodation in Bridge of Orchy or Tyndrum
Today we will be walking on the good tracks of the West Highland Way. We will get glorious views over Loch Tulla and the Black Mount mountains in the first part of the day.
The second section of the day we cross perhaps the most famous part of the walk, Rannoch Moor. Rannoch Moor can be one of two things depending on the weather: a beautiful expanse that stretches out below craggy mountains, or a truly wild place exposed to whatever the Scottish weather has in store. Either way it is a part of the walk you won’t forget.
Rannoch Moor is 50 square miles of peat bog and lochans surrounded by hills and mountains. We will be walking along the parliamentary road which is excellent but a hard surface underfoot. As we reach the end of this section we will be greeted by views of the iconic Buachaille Etive Mor as we head into Glen Coe.
Distance: 12 miles (19.5km)
Total ascent: 515m
Time: 5.5-6.5 hours
Accommodation – Kingshouse (Bunkhouse or Hotel)
Today we will be walking to Kinlochleven following another memorable section of the regular West Highland Way route.
Our highlights will include an ascent of the ominously named ‘Devil’s Staircase’. Once at the top we will get incredible views over the Glen Coe Mountains and the Blackwater Reservoir. It is not as bad as the name suggests and you will be atop the rise before you know it.
We will then begin our descent down into the village of Kinlochleven with views north to our final barrier between us and Glen Nevis, the Mamores. It is a long descent, but once down you will be able to walk into your accommodation which is usually within the village itself.
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)
Total ascent: 430m
Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation – Kinlochleven or Fort William
The last day of our WHW journey! Today we will be walking to the base of Ben Nevis. To get there we will climb high over the Mamores mountain range, gaining incredible views of Lochaber region.
It will be a long steep ascent from sea level through the Coire na h-Eirghe to the main ridge. We will follow a short section of this over Sgùrr an lubhair before descending into the northern coire to following teh Allt Coire a’ Mhusgain to Glen Nevis. We will finish the day on the trail along the east side of River Nevis to the visitor centre.
Distance: 11 miles (17.5km)
Total ascent: 1080m
Time: 7-8 hours
Accommodation in Fort William
On our final day of this ‘Not the WHW’ adventure we will have the opportunity to climb the highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis. We will take the regular mountain path with should pose little difficulties (other than more exertion for tired legs).
We will make the steady ascent at a comfortable pace with plenty of time to stop and take photos. It takes groups between 7-9 hours to complete the route, which starts and finishes not far from sea-level. The final stage is walked into Fort William itself to complete your West Highland Way Plus adventure.
Distance: 10.5 miles (17 km)
Total ascent: 1350m
Time: 7-9 hours
Accommodation in Fort William
Today is departure day and time to say our goodbyes. Fort William has convenient train and bus links directly to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness or the Isle of Skye.
What's Included?
The cost includes
- Accommodation for 12 nights (breakfast included)
- 10 days guided walking
- Qualified UK Mountain Leader as your guide
- Luggage transfers
- Support vehicle
- West Highland Way Plus Information Pack
- Training advice
- Maximum group size of 8
Not included in our packages
- Lunches, snacks and dinners
- Arrival and departure transport
Accommodation
Bed & Breakfast
The Bed and Breakfast option provides good standard accommodation, with cooked or continental breakfast included in the price of the holiday.
The B&Bs we use are located in small towns or villages, giving you access to local shops and a choice of pubs, ensuring plenty of opportunities for an evening meal. In areas where no B&Bs are available or where facilities such as shops and pubs are lacking, we will drive you to a nearby village to ensure a better overall experience.
There will be one night where you are in a shared dormitory, but you have the option to upgrade to a hotel room at the iconic Kingshouse Hotel.
FAQs
This trek is graded 4/5 on our trekking scale.
A more challenging trek usually due to longer days, lots of hills and/or pathless sections over rough ground. Treks of this grade will include more remote days/stages.
This is very much an average grading for a trip that includes a real mix of easy trail and mountainous days. Most of the days on this trail sit at 3/5 or 4/5 on our difficulty scale, but this trek includes some rough terrain and mountainous days which are closer to 5/5.
To help you decide if this trip is right for you, please also refer to the itinerary, which includes daily distances, ascent, and detailed descriptions of the terrain.
You can read more about our grading system in our Trip Difficulty Guide.
Please note: all long-distance walking is challenging, particularly if you are not used to walking/exercising on consecutive days. What makes a trek challenging is personal and depends on your fitness, strengths, and preferences.
You can expect all the best bits of the West Highland Way plus some mountainous adventures. There is fantastic scenery and a mix of great trails and pathless terrain.
This is one of our harder walks. This is due to some of the trail being “off path” and the inclusion of some hills and mountains. This makes it tougher going underfoot than the regular West Highland Way. Some sections are committing and it is a trip that requires a good level of hill-fitness. The tougher days are interspersed with easier sections and we do include a rest day in the itinerary.
If you have enjoyed walking a long-distance trail before and got home feeling you could have managed something a bit more challenging then this is a great trail for you. Likewise if you are a hillwalker looking to experience the West Highland Way but with an added dose of adventure and remoteness.
If you felt the West Highland Way or East Highland Way pushed you to your walking limits you will likely find this is a greater challenge than you would enjoy.
You can either drive to Milngavie, where many walkers will leave their cars for the duration of the trek, or by public transport. There is a frequent rail service from Glasgow to Milngavie.
You will stay in a number of small villages along the route for 1 or 2 nights at a time. You will get to experience lots of the different villages on the trail and these will likely include Milngavie, Drymen, Inversnaid, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven and then your final night in Fort William.
Milngavie – a large town with a supermarket (which has a cash machine) and a number of pubs. It also has a tourist information shop that sells a very small selection of outdoor equipment, useful if you forget something!
Drymen – a small village but has a good selection of places to eat from traditional pubs to hotels including the Clachan Inn, the Drymen Inn and the Winnock Hotel. It also has a small shop where you can get lunch and snacks and also a cash machine.
Inversnaid/Tarbet – facilities are extremely limited her but there will be an onsite restaurant or bistro where you can get an evening meal.
Crianlarich – a very small village with the Rod and Reel as its only pub. There is also a restaurant at the hotel which sometimes takes reservations for non-residents. The Crianlarich Store is in the village for snacks and lunches with an ATM for cash.
Kingshouse – this location is simply the hotel and bunkhouse. No other facilities are available here.
Kinlochleven – slightly bigger than Drymen or Crianlarich. Kinlochleven has 3 good places to eat; The Tailrace Inn, The Macdonald Hotel or the Highland Getaway (plus the 'Rice & Chips' take-away). It also has a well-stocked shop for snacks and lunches.
Fort William – a large town, with everything you would expect. It has a great variety of pubs, restaurants and takeaways, as well as a supermarket and a selection of smaller shops. It also has a large number of outdoor clothing and equipment shops as well as a chemist, gift shops, cafés and banks.
You will be provided with a full kit list, but as a guide the basics you will need are:
A small/medium rucksack (around 30 litres), walking boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, a spare warm layer and walking trousers (not jeans or denim), a water bottle, sun and midge protection.
With Thistle Trekking you get a personal service. We are happy to answer any questions and queries and help where we can with all aspects of your trip.
Your point of contact will be the same person from the first enquiry to the final communication before your West Highland Way Plus trek.
Our guides are all qualified, experienced, and fun companions on the trail.
Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSunday8 August 2027Friday20 August 2027
