4-day · 4-day challenge Coming soon
Maximum daily mileage — only for experienced fast walkers.
Scotland
West Highland Way
Difficulty: Moderate · T2 How hard is it?
- 154 km Distance
- ~32 h Walking time
- ↑4,200 m Ascent
- ↓3,950 m Descent
Planning the West Highland Way?
Start from a proven itinerary, add your stops, and export your personalised GPX.
About the West Highland Way
The West Highland Way is Scotland's most popular long-distance trail — 154 km from Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. Most walkers take six to nine days. Our planner helps you start from a proven itinerary, add curated stays and resupply stops, and export your personalised GPX.
Plan your hike
Proven itineraries for every pace — tap a card to choose dates and open the planner.
5-day · 5-day express Coming soon
Longer daily stages for fit hikers.
6-day · 6-day classic Coming soon
Popular balance of mileage and rest — one fewer night on trail.
7-day · 7-day classic
The standard pace — our recommended default.
8-day · 8-day relaxed Coming soon
Shorter days with buffer for weather or side trips.
9-day · 9-day leisurely Coming soon
Maximum flexibility — ideal for first long-distance hike.
Frequently asked questions
How difficult is the West Highland Way?
Overall moderate (SAC T2): the path is well waymarked with no scrambling or serious exposure, but 154 km over several consecutive 20–30 km days is a real endurance challenge. Loch Lomond’s north shore and the climb out of Kinlochleven are the toughest stages; allow at least seven days if it is your first long-distance walk.
How long does the West Highland Way take?
Most people walk the WHW in six to nine days. We offer six proven presets from a fast four-day schedule to a leisurely nine-day plan. The classic seven-day split is the most popular starting point.
Which direction should I walk?
Most walkers go south to north — Milngavie to Fort William. That is our default. Choose either direction when you open the itinerary picker or in the planner; full reverse routing and GPX orientation ship in a later release.
Do I need to book accommodation in advance?
Yes, especially May through September. Our planner lets you mark end-of-day stays as booked or contacted so you can track progress — live booking links arrive in a later release.
Can I export my plan to my GPS app?
Yes. After customising your route in the planner, export full-trip or per-day GPX files for Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or your preferred navigation app.