Best of the West Highland Way from Drymen
Best of the West Highland Way from Drymen
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Immerse yourself in the beautiful landscapes of the heart of Scotland on a tour of the West Highland Way from Drymen, a town northeast of Glasgow and northwest of Edinburgh. Follow in the footsteps of military troops on this historic route to Fort William.
- Walk on the banks of the magnificent Loch Lomond.
- Discover the swampy wasteland on Rannoch Moor.
- See Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.
- Tour the "Devil's Staircase", an ancient military route that will take you to a point from where you will have excellent views.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Drymen
This unforgettable tour of the West Highland Way begins in Drymen, a town in Stirling council, which, in the 18th and 19th centuries stood out for being a stop for cattle herders in the Scottish Highlands.
Overnight in Drymen
Ashbank B&B
The cosy rooms at this Bed & Breakfast accommodation have a private bathroom, TV, coffee and tea making facilities, and many have an outdoor view.
The accommodation provides free WiFi service, and a delicious breakfast is served daily in the dining area.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
The accommodation provides free WiFi service, and a delicious breakfast is served daily in the dining area.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 2 - Drymen to Rowardennan 14,5 miles | 23 km
Today you'll start the day with an ascent to Conic Hill, a prominent hill in Stirling that offers unique views of Loch Lomond.
Later you will continue to Balmaha, a popular tourist town located on the east coast of the loch, and then continue your way to Rowardennan.
Along the way you will encounter a wide variety of birds, ascend and descend among lush forests and go around the loch.
Ascent: 95m (311ft) / Descent: 133m (436ft)
Later you will continue to Balmaha, a popular tourist town located on the east coast of the loch, and then continue your way to Rowardennan.
Along the way you will encounter a wide variety of birds, ascend and descend among lush forests and go around the loch.
Ascent: 95m (311ft) / Descent: 133m (436ft)
Overnight in Rowardennan
Rowardennan Hotel
Located at the foot of Ben Lomond and on the shores of beautiful Loch Lomond, this hotel offers splendid views.
It is a modern Scottish-style property with a bar serving delicious dishes.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
It is a modern Scottish-style property with a bar serving delicious dishes.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 3 - Rowardennan to Inverarnan 14,5 miles | 23 km
You'll start the day with the incredible views you'll have from a trail at the top of Loch Lomond, a lake with a glacial origin.
Then you'll continue on a narrow, undulating path to Inversnaid, a small rural community.
From there, you will continue over uneven terrain until you reach the loch shore. If your accommodation is on the other side of the loch, you should find out where you have to take the ferry across the loch on the route to Inverarnan.
The following day you should catch the same ferry back to continue your route.
Ascent: 464m (1,522ft) / Descent: 461m (1,512ft)
Then you'll continue on a narrow, undulating path to Inversnaid, a small rural community.
From there, you will continue over uneven terrain until you reach the loch shore. If your accommodation is on the other side of the loch, you should find out where you have to take the ferry across the loch on the route to Inverarnan.
The following day you should catch the same ferry back to continue your route.
Ascent: 464m (1,522ft) / Descent: 461m (1,512ft)
Overnight in Inverarnan
The Drovers Inn
This historic accommodation offers comfortable and cozy rooms, a traditional fireplace-equipped bar, and authentic Scottish cuisine. Modern conveniences such as heating, hairdryers, and tea/coffee making facilities are also provided.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 4 - Inverarnan to Kingshouse (Ballachulish) 12,5 miles | 19,5 km
After a transfer to Bridge of Orchy, you will start this unforgettable walk that will allow you to get to know Scotland’s natural beauty at its best.
You'll pass Loch Tulla, a charming little loch near Bridge of Orchy and Glencoe, all the way to the charming swampy wasteland at Rannoch Moor.
If there is no availability at Ballachulish, we will accommodate you at Glencoe or Kingshouse (supplement).
Just before you arrive in Kingshouse, you can take a bus from the Chairlift Road End stop (which is just over the river on the A82 road).
The buses that run this route are: 914, 915 and 916.
It is highly recommended to buy tickets in advance on the following website: www.citylink.co.uk
(Here you will be able to choose the best timetable for you).
Ascent: 930m (3,051ft) / Descent: 700m (2,296ft)
You'll pass Loch Tulla, a charming little loch near Bridge of Orchy and Glencoe, all the way to the charming swampy wasteland at Rannoch Moor.
If there is no availability at Ballachulish, we will accommodate you at Glencoe or Kingshouse (supplement).
Just before you arrive in Kingshouse, you can take a bus from the Chairlift Road End stop (which is just over the river on the A82 road).
The buses that run this route are: 914, 915 and 916.
It is highly recommended to buy tickets in advance on the following website: www.citylink.co.uk
(Here you will be able to choose the best timetable for you).
Ascent: 930m (3,051ft) / Descent: 700m (2,296ft)
Overnight in Ballachulish
Park View Bed & Breakfast
Today you will discover a family friendly accommodation, Park View Bead & Breakfast, where you will receive a warm welcome from its owner. In addition to the kindness of the staff, it stands out for its beautiful views of the surrounding countryside that will make you feel like you are in a movie.
Its rooms are very comfortable and they have an excellent breakfast service.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 5 - Kingshouse to Kinlochleven 9 miles | 14 km
Today you will travel an ancient military road from where you can contemplate the historic Glencoe or "Valley of Tears", named after a massacre here, when King William's troops murdered 38 members of the MacDonald clan.
Then you'll continue along the Devil's Staircase, until you reach the highest point on the route, from where you'll have stunning views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, at a height of 1,345 metres.
At the end of the day, you will arrive in Kinlochleven, a village east of Loch Leven, at the foot of The Mamores, a group of mountains in the Lochaber area.
If there is no availability at Kinlochleven, you will be hosted at Glencoe or Ballachulish.
When you arrive in Kinlochleven, you can take the bus from the ‘Post Office’ stop (located on Leven Street).
The bus serving this route is the N44.
We recommend checking the timetables on the following website so that you can choose the one that best suits you: www.shielbuses.co.uk
Ascent: 332m (1,089ft) / Descent: 590m (1,935ft)
Then you'll continue along the Devil's Staircase, until you reach the highest point on the route, from where you'll have stunning views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, at a height of 1,345 metres.
At the end of the day, you will arrive in Kinlochleven, a village east of Loch Leven, at the foot of The Mamores, a group of mountains in the Lochaber area.
If there is no availability at Kinlochleven, you will be hosted at Glencoe or Ballachulish.
When you arrive in Kinlochleven, you can take the bus from the ‘Post Office’ stop (located on Leven Street).
The bus serving this route is the N44.
We recommend checking the timetables on the following website so that you can choose the one that best suits you: www.shielbuses.co.uk
Ascent: 332m (1,089ft) / Descent: 590m (1,935ft)
Overnight in Kinlochleven
Allt Na Leven Guest House
The rooms in this cosy country house in Kinlochleven feature a private bathroom, Wi-Fi, a TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
The restaurant offers an exquisite Scottish or continental breakfast with typical regional products.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
The restaurant offers an exquisite Scottish or continental breakfast with typical regional products.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 6 - Kinlochleven to Fort William 15 miles | 24 km
Your route to Fort William will begin with an ascending walk that will offer you an excellent panorama, then follow a vast and magnificent valley and pass by a wooded path to Glen Nevis. There you can see the imposing Ben Nevis.
Ascent: 442m (1,450ft) / Descent: 429m (1,407ft)
Ascent: 442m (1,450ft) / Descent: 429m (1,407ft)
Overnight in Fort William
Myrtle Bank Guest House
A peaceful retreat with a delightful garden and terrace, perfect for relaxing at the end of your hikes. Immerse yourself in the comfort of its cozy rooms equipped with WiFi, television, private bathroom, and a desk.
A continental or a la carte breakfast is available daily at the property.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
A continental or a la carte breakfast is available daily at the property.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 7 - Fort William
The day has come to say goodbye to the Scottish Highlands. After a delicious breakfast, you can head by train to Glasgow to catch your flight and return home.
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End of our services.
Itinerary Map
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Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels
- Daily Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Transfers as per itinerary
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Travel insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
Accomodation
General information
The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & Transfers
To get to the start of your route, my recommendation is to fly into Glasgow Airport, as it is the closest airport.
From there you can take the "500 Airport Express" bus to the "Dundas Street" stop. This bus runs every 10 minutes and is operated by "First Bus".
Once in Glasgow, you can take "Scotrail" from "Queen Street Station" to "Alexandria", from where you can catch the local bus 309 (operated by "McColls") to "Drymen".
If you can't find suitable flights to Glasgow, another option would be to fly to Edinburgh, although from Edinburgh, you will need to take a bus to Glasgow (Megabus AIR).
At the end of your journey in Fort William, you can always catch the 914, 915 and 916 buses, operated by "Citylink" or take the train to Glasgow Queen Street, operated by "Scotrail".
From there you can take the "500 Airport Express" bus to the "Dundas Street" stop. This bus runs every 10 minutes and is operated by "First Bus".
Once in Glasgow, you can take "Scotrail" from "Queen Street Station" to "Alexandria", from where you can catch the local bus 309 (operated by "McColls") to "Drymen".
If you can't find suitable flights to Glasgow, another option would be to fly to Edinburgh, although from Edinburgh, you will need to take a bus to Glasgow (Megabus AIR).
At the end of your journey in Fort William, you can always catch the 914, 915 and 916 buses, operated by "Citylink" or take the train to Glasgow Queen Street, operated by "Scotrail".
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
- Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
What is the best time of year to do this trip?
We recommend you take this walking holiday between the end of March and October.
In particular, May can be a good time to travel, as there are not many midges (mosquitoes) just yet.
How far in advance should I book my trip?
We recommend that you book as soon as you are sure about your dates, as accommodation can fill up very quickly in this area.
What should my physical preparation be?
This route has a medium-low level of difficulty, every day you will walk between 5 and 10 hours on undulating terrain, so it is advisable that you are in good physical condition to make the most of this walking holiday.
Do I need to take out travel insurance?
Yes, this is a requirement to book with us. It's important that this insurance covers your activities, emergency evacuation, and hospital care.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack.
We suggest you bring insect repellent; in case you need it.
What if I'm not able to finish one of the stages?
You can call us to arrange a private transfer for you.
If you prefer, you can also use public transport or local taxis to get to your next accommodation.
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