West Highland Way
The West Highland Way is a Scottish long distance footpath from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William.
The trail begins in the Lowlands and leads to the Highlands, past Scotland's largest freshwater lake, Loch Lomond, touching the entrance to the Glen Coe and ends near the highest mountain in Scotland, Ben Nevis.
Total hiking length is 154 km. The trail is managed jointly by the Highland Council and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Interim Committee. On average, 50,000 walkers a year on the road along the way.
The route
For the most part, the way many old roads, mostly cattle dealer routes, military roads and old temporary roads extends. Traditionally, the way by many people of the south is migrated to the north. The reason for this is the ever- increasing landscape, but also in the fact that the sun is not hidden in this way. The entire route can be covered in seven to eight daily stages. Along the route there are some campsites, Behelfscampingplätze without sanitary facilities, bed -and- breakfast accommodation, hostels and hotels. Wild camping is prohibited from March 1 to October 31 on the section between Balmaha and the Ptarmigan Lodge.
Starting point of the WHW is the obelisk in the pedestrian area of Milngavie, a suburb of Glasgow. He soon, however, leads in open terrain. Later in the path reaches the hiker on dirt roads and a disused and dismantled railway line through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park on Conic Hill to Balmaha and then to reach the Loch Lomond. From here the trail leads about 40 km to the east bank footpath to Inverarnan. In this section, the distance to several kilometers is very challenging since the West Highland Way is run as a riverside path and is strongly affected by erosion. Between Rowardennan and Inversnaid the riverside path is therefore locked since 2012, instead of the previously offered as a simpler alternative, above the banks running forest is now the official route.
On the last part of the track moves of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, climbed into view and is considered by some hikers as tour completion.
Long stretches of the West Highland Way passes within a few kilometers distance from the A82 along. Many established as milestones points are thus easily accessible by buses and the way in part stages hiker.
Practical information
In general, the path is well marked and hard to miss. Still not harm a corresponding guide, as it often otherwise unnoticed, places to see are close off the track. Alternative accommodation for campers are considerably easier to find. In general, the West Highland Way, no great demands on the walkers. Nevertheless, it should on some stages, especially at the Devil 's Staircase and along Loch Lomond between Rowardennan and Ardleish, even a minimum level of slip resistance may be present, as in damp weather may partly consist of slipping.
Luggage transfer services offer the transport of larger pieces of luggage, so that the path can also be completed without or with only light.
Settlements on the way
(Listed in order from south to north, with the respective distance from Milngavie as a starting point. )
- Milngavie
- Carbeth
- Drymen; 19 km ( 12 mi)
- Balmaha, Loch Lomond; 30 km ( 19 mi )
- Rowardennan, Loch Lomond; 44 km ( 27 mi )
- Inversnaid, Loch Lomond; 54 km (34 mi)
- Inverarnan
- Crianlarich, 75 km (47 mi)
- Tyndrum, 85 km (53 mi)
- Bridge of Orchy, 95 km (59 mi)
- Inveroran, 99 km (62 mi)
- King House Hotel, 115 km (71 mi)
- Kinlochleven, 130 km (81 mi)
- Fort William, 154 km (95 mi)
West Highland Way Race
Since 1987, the West Highland Way Race is organized, an ultra-marathon over the entire distance. The launch takes place on the morning of the longest day in the year, shortly after midnight. The participants cover the distance from Milngavie to Fort William non-stop. In 2006, Jeremy Bragg 15:44:50 hours with the current course record. The female record holder since 2007, Lucy Colquhoun ( 17:16:20 h).
Photographs
Start mark in Milngavie
Loch Lomond from Inversnaid and Inverarnan
On the Conic Hill
Hike to Glen Coe
Devil 's Staircase
Mark Out in Fort William
Additional material
DVD
- Backpack: The Scottish West Highland Way, 2005 ASIN: B000BQUVIY