Illustrative artwork — an impression of West Highland Way, not a literal photograph.
The West Highland Way is a 96-mile point-to-point walk from Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William, tracing the shore of Loch Lomond before crossing the wild expanse of Rannoch Moor beneath Ben Nevis. Most people walk it between April and October. Because it runs town to town rather than hut to hut, where you sleep each night is a string of small decisions — B&Bs, inns, hostels, and bunkhouses in villages along the route — best made and booked before you start walking.
Why hike here
Few long-distance walks change character as often as this one. Leaving Milngavie, near Glasgow, you spend the early days walking the length of Loch Lomond, the path hugging its eastern shore through woods and past small villages. Beyond the loch the landscape opens up entirely: Rannoch Moor is a wide, empty stretch of bog and heather with almost no shelter, a genuine change of pace after the loch. From there Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, starts to dominate the skyline as the route drops toward Kinlochleven and climbs on to Fort William. The walk moves from lochside path to open wilderness to mountain town, with villages like Drymen, Rowardennan, and Tyndrum marking the days in between.
Getting there
Glasgow is the gateway to the West Highland Way, with an international airport serving flights from across the UK and Europe and connections beyond. From the city center, a short train ride brings you to Milngavie, the official start of the trail, so no additional transfer is really needed once you've reached Glasgow itself. At the other end, Fort William has its own rail and bus links back to Glasgow, making it straightforward to return to the airport once you finish, or to arrange a one-way trip if someone starts the walk from the Fort William side instead.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: B&Bs, inns, hostels and bunkhouses in Drymen, Rowardennan, Tyndrum, Kinlochleven and more
Most walkers — the Way is a comfortable, town-to-town long-distance path.
Popular stages book up in summer; reserve rooms in advance.
Book each night’s lodging aheadFor example: Established campsites plus wild camping under Scottish access rights (with Loch Lomond byelaw limits)
Budget walkers and campers carrying a tent.
Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and Loch Lomond camping byelaws.
Campsites & Scottish outdoor accessPermits & rules
No permit is required to walk. Wild camping is generally allowed under Scottish access rights, but seasonal byelaws restrict it along parts of Loch Lomond — use managed campsites there.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
Do I need to book accommodation in advance on the West Highland Way?
Yes, especially in summer. Because the route runs through small villages like Drymen, Rowardennan, Tyndrum, and Kinlochleven rather than backcountry huts, the number of beds in B&Bs, inns, hostels, and bunkhouses is limited, and popular nights fill up well ahead of the season. Booking each night's stay before you set out, rather than as you go, is the standard approach.
Can I camp along the West Highland Way instead of staying in B&Bs?
Yes. Scotland's access rights allow wild camping along much of the route, and there are also established campsites in the villages you pass through. The exception is parts of Loch Lomond, where seasonal byelaws restrict wild camping, so it's worth planning to use a managed campsite for that stretch rather than assuming you can pitch anywhere along the shore.
Do I need to carry my full pack every day?
Not necessarily. Baggage-transfer services operate along the West Highland Way and will move your main bag between overnight stops, so many hikers carry only a day pack with water, snacks, and layers. It's worth arranging this ahead of time alongside your accommodation, since it needs to line up with where you're actually sleeping each night.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.