Distant Journeys

Day 2: We begin with a gentle valley walk along the Blane and Endrick Rivers, enjoying views of the distant hills. Following old jeep tracks, country lanes and abandoned railway lines we cross the plains of East Dumbartonshire and southern Stirlingshire walking through woodlands and pastoral countryside. Passing by the Glengoyne Distillery, we will have time for a brief tour. We will return to Killearn for the night.

Day 3: From Killearn, we will transfer to the start of the hike and rejoin the “Way” in the village of Dryman. Walking on a wide track we have our first major climb of the route as we ascend through the Garadhban Forest to the top of Conic Hill (1,184′). From Conic Hill we’ll have great views of Loch Lomond and the Scottish countryside. After a steep descent we arrive at the small village of Balmaha on the shore of Loch Lomond. Britain’s largest body of water, 23 miles long, Loch Lomond was formed by a glacier about 10,000 years ago.

Day 4: A shorter day today leads from Balmaha to Rowardennan. We will follow along the “bonnie banks” of Loch Lomand, with its native woodlands, rocky coves and small beaches, arriving in Rowardennan and our night’s accommodation.

Day 5: Hike to Ben Lomond. In 1891, Sir Hugo Munro published the first list of all Scotland’s peaks over 3,000’. Until that time there had been much debate as to exactly how many 3,000’peaks there actually were in Scotland. Since then these peaks have been referred to as “The Munros”. Ben Lomond, (3,195’) is the most southerly of Scotland’s Munro’s. It stands high above Loch Lomond and is the first real mountain we will pass on the West Highland Way. Weather permitting and for those so inclined, we will spend this day hiking up Ben Lomond. From the summit, we will have superb views of both the Highlands and the Lowlands. Overnight in Rowardennan.

Day 6: Leaving the Rowardennan, we begin our hike along Loch Lomond. Considered by many to be the most arduous section of the “Way”, the trail hugs the shore crossing sections encumbered by boulders and tree roots. The scenery, however, is spectacular as we hike among an oak forests with views across the Loch, including the landmark of the “Cobbler”, a rugged mountain rising on the opposite side of the Loch. Continuing alongside the lake we will pass by Rob Roy’s Cave, the hideaway of the Scottish hero Rob Roy MacGregor, known as the Robin Hood of the Highlands. Reaching the end of the Loch, we take a short ferry ride to our hotel in Ardlui.

Day 7: We cross back across the loch to rejoin the “Way”. Our trail leads over a hill to Invararnan, where we will have time for a coffee or an early lunch at the historic Drover’s Inn, the oldest pub in Scotland. After our break, we will hike through Glen Falloch following an old military road and alongside the River Falloch. We will have views of gorges, mountains, rapids and falls, Grey Mares Tail Falls and the Falls of Falloch. Today is the halfway point of the “Way”. Overnight in Crianlarich.

Day 8: Crianlarich to Inveroran. After a short transfer we begin our walk in Tyndrum. Today’s route will include moderate ascents and descents and of course fine mountain views, as we follow some of the old drove roads. These drove roads were created during the 17th and 18th century in order to get the cattle to market in the Lowlands. Some villages along the “Way” saw almost 100,000 sheep and 10,000 cattle pass through each year. We will then hike along the foot of the picturesque cone of Beinn Odhar, and then the more imposing Beinn Dorian before reaching Bridge of Orchy. From here, one last climb and descent will lead us our hotel in Inveroran.

Day 9: Today we will hike through some of the most exposed and isolated section of the “Way”. Though a challenging day, we will be rewarded with the beautiful landscape of the Highlands. Crossing the Black Mount, a high moorland plateau, we climb gradually to the summit at 1,500’ and then begin our long descent into Kingshouse and our stop for the night.

Day 10: We will have a shorter hike today, though still demanding, as we cross over the highest point of the “Way” at 1,850 feet. The climb begins with the “Devil’s Staircase”. Not as bad as the name may suggest, the route follows an old military road built in 1750 by about 450 soldiers. The nickname comes from the switchback section near the summit. With views of the Glen Coe Mountains behind us, we begin our long descent to Kinlochleven, while at the same time enjoying the new scenery in front of us, the ridges of the Mamores with the massif of Ben Nevis behind.

Day 11: Our last day on the “Way” begins with a climb of 900′ arriving at the Lairigmor, the “great pass”, situated between high hills on our left and the even higher Mamores to our right. There are 11 Munros in this section of the West Highland Way. As we descend to Fort Williams, our stop for the night, the route travels through the Nevis Forest with distant views of our destination, Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. One of Scotland’s main attractions at 4,406′,“The Ben”, with its rocky summit and 2,000′ cliffs on the North Face, often has snow on its peak even in summer. With a great sense of accomplishment we arrive in Fort Willams and will end our trip with a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Our trip ends at the hotel after our last hearty Scottish breakfast. From Fort Williams there are trains to Glasgow. The trip is about 4 hours with the earliest train arriving in Glasgow at about 12:00 noon. Please allow for travel when when making plans.