West Highland Way

Each participant is responsible to get to Edinburgh on their own today. We meet at Edinburgh Airport no later than 2 PM this afternoon. Here we are picked up and driven to Glengoyne where we take our daypack and start straight on our first leg on the West Highland Way, a 2-3 hour trip to Drymen. We will spend the first night here in Drymen, where our luggage are transported to. In the evening we eat dinner together, get to know each other and prepare for the next days trip.

We start the day with a hearty English breakfast at our accommodation, fueling up for the 25-kilometer hike to Rowardennan. This leg offers a wonderful introduction to the beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Our trail leads us around the scenic Conic Hill, where we’re treated to stunning views of Loch Lomond. After lunch, we’ll follow paths that take us right along the lakes edge. For the adventurous one, there’s even an opportunity for a refreshing dip in the water! By late afternoon, we arrive in Rowardennan, nestled on the shores of Loch Lomond, ready to relax and take in the tranquil surroundings.

We hike through the wooded slopes along Loch Lomond, the largest lake in Great Britain. Today's stage is approximately 25 kilometers long and takes just over six hours to complete. In the beautiful oak forest, there’s a chance to spot deer. The first part of the trail is easy to walk, but after lunch, the terrain becomes more challenging, resembling typical Norwegian trails with rocks and roots. Eventually, we reach Inverarnan, where we might have time for a beer at the historic Drovers Inn—rumored to be haunted—before taking a short bus ride to Tyndrum for our overnight stay.

Today, we’ll take a break from hiking and enjoy a scenic train ride to Oban, renowned for having the best seafood in Scotland. The railway line between Tyndrum and Oban, opened in 1880, offers a historic journey through stunning landscapes visible from the train windows. The charming coastal town of Oban boasts a castle with a view, a whisky distillery, a chocolate factory with a café, and cozy little shops. There’s time for a short walk, either on your own or with the group, before we return to Tyndrum in the early afternoon. From there, we lace up our boots again and hike 11–12 kilometers to Bridge of Orchy, where we spend the night.

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we have two options: those eager for a longer trek can tackle the full 34-kilometer stage to Kinlochleven, while others may opt for a shorter hike by taking a bus partway and walking the final 14 kilometers with the group. From Bridge of Orchy, the trail winds through golden hillsides, small rivers, and picturesque lakes, often following ancient stone-paved paths. This section is relatively easy to walk. For those starting from Kingshouse, a shorter three-hour hike awaits, crossing the "Devil's Staircase." Despite its ominous name, the climb is a manageable 300 meters of elevation gain. The summit of the pass, at 550 meters above sea level, is the highest point on the entire West Highland Way. Kinlochleven, a former industrial town, was once home to one of the world’s largest aluminum plants. Today, the old smelting halls house a museum, a microbrewery, and an indoor ice-climbing wall.

The final leg of the West Highland Way takes us from Kinlochleven to Fort William. This 24-kilometer leg takes about 5 hours. After climbing a couple of hundred meters from Kinlochleven, we walk through a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains – right in the heart of the Highlands. Along the way, we’re treated to stunning views of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak. If we’re up for it, we’ll continue to the end of the pedestrian street to reach the official finish point of the West Highland Way, where we can snap a photo on the bench with "Tom Weir," whom we may have "met" earlier along the trail. We’ll celebrate the completion of our journey with dinner at our cozy hotel, perhaps accompanied by a short bagpipe performance.

We say farewell to the West Highland Way and depart Fort William after breakfast, heading towards more urban surroundings. On the way, we stop in Pitlochry, a charming little village where we can enjoy lunch at a cozy café before visiting a whisky distillery. Upon arriving in Edinburgh, we check into our hotel and have the option to join a brief city tour on the way to our farewell dinner, marking the end of this incredible journey.

The day is yours to explore Edinburgh at your own pace. Edinburgh is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and there are plenty to see here. See the old town, the historical castles, and enjoy te good vibes here - to mention some. Feel free to explore a restaurant of your choice this evening.

According to your flight itinerary, you might have some more time to experience Edinburgh, or you go straight to the airport in the morning. The train leaves to the airport "just" outside of the hotel. We hope to see you on another adventure soon.