This tour takes us into the magnificent countryside of the Highlands of Scotland following most of Scotland’s most famous footpath on its course from the south of Loch Lomond to Fort William and Ben Nevis, linking Britain’s largest loch with its highest mountain. The route is a step back into history; most of the day stages follow the famous droving and military roads that linked the highlands to the lowlands. Many of the hotels have originated from the droving inns that have operated for centuries and have been described in the travel anecdotes of many famous writers including Wordsworths.

From the Lowland patchwork quilt of fields, the path threads its way along the shore or Loch Lomond shaded amongst the beech and oak forest, past islands known to Robert the Bruce as a source of yew wood for his archers' bows. Soon the wild ramparts of Ben Lomond (973m) rise from the water and the ‘Way’ leaves the loch and passes through moor and forest, past cascades and torrents to Crianlarich, dominated by Ben More. This is the landscape of Rob Roy, including the lands he used to raid, and the inns where he collected blackmail.
We walk along glaciated valleys, past the Bridge of Orchy and over to Loch Tulla with its remnant Caledonian Pine forest, then into the heathery wastes of Rannoch Moor to the shelter of the Kings House Inn - Scotland's oldest and most remote licensed inn.
We leave the moor by the ‘Devil's Staircase’ with fantastic views back to the peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, which guards the entrance of Glencoe. The Way drops down to Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven and sea level. The final stage is over the Lairigmor pass and down through forests, into the deep glaciated valley of Glen Nevis at the foot of Ben Nevis (1342m).

DETAILS Self-guided Inn to Inn Walk 8 Days DURATION: 8 days TOURCODE: WWH GRADE: Moderate DAY STAGES: 10-14 miles/day DATES: Start any day 3 April to 2 October ESCORTED DEPARTURE: 24 July CLICK HERE FOR LATEST PRICES Click here for more information &   Your Accommodation The first night is spent in Drymen at a very comfortable guest house.  The Loch Lomond hotel is close to the waters edge, offering expansive views of Ben Lomond looming large across the lake.  At Ardlui you'll stay at a comfortable hotel on the shores of Loch Lomond.  Your Hotel at Loch Tulla is well off the main road and the setting reminds one of its original use as a cattle drover's inn. There is a small restaurant offering good quality homely cooking.  The next hotel is in the wilds of Rannoch Moor near the entrance to Glencoe. The rooms are fairly basic, but the bar is a very cosy place to be, as it was in 1745 when it was used after the Battle of Culloden.  At Kinlochleven, you stay in a modern hotel built in traditional style with comfortable ensuite rooms and a bar with views over the famous Pap of Glencoe. The West Highland Way finishes near your final guesthouse at Nevis Bridge, just outside Fort William.

vacations