Trail Almanac




Distance


Currency



View from the West Highland Way on Trail Almanac

Open

West Highland Way

📌

📍

🌐

Northern

Distance

154

km

Elev. Gain

4,020

m

Duration

7

days

Grade

T2

Route

Point-to-Point

Effort

Moderate

⚡ Quick Facts
📏
154 km
Distance
📅
7 days
Duration
⛰️
548 m
Peak Height
↗️
4,020 m
Elev. Gain
📶
T2
Grade
🏃
Moderate
Effort Rating
Planning a trip?
Build your West Highland Way itinerary
Generate a day-by-day plan based on your pace, resupply preferences and hut availability.
🟢 Trail Status
Status Open
Hemisphere Northern
Timezone Europe/London
🗂️ Logistics
Visa Generally none
Dogs Yes
Transport Easy
Parking Yes
Wild Camping Legal

📊 Technical Details

Distance: 154 km
Route Type: Point-to-Point
Grade: T2
Navigation: Easy
Suck Factor: Mind your step
Direction: NOBO
Total Ascent: 4,020 m
Average distance per day: 22 km
Average ascent per day: 574 m
Max Elevation: 548 m
Highest Point: The Devil's Staircase
Lowest Point: Sea Level
Start Trailhead: Milngavie, north Glasgow
End Trailhead: Fort William

📅 Best Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Shoulder
Off
Note:

Possible year round but out of season is for experienced winter hikers only. The best weather usually coincides with peak midge season. Pack your bug net!

💭 Logistics & Budget

🎒 Dirtbag
€20
per day
🧍 Average Joe
€80
per day
🎿 Flashpacker
€275
per day
Budget note:

Big range of budget options on this trail. Wild camping to very expensive accommodation

Wild Camping Legal
Dog Friendly Yes
Baggage Transfer Yes
Permit Required No
Transport Access Easy
Trailhead Parking Yes
Transport & parking note

Trains to both Glasgow and Fort William. Airports in Glasgow and Inverness.
Visa Generally none
Accommodation
Campsites Hostels Hotels Wild Camping
Accommodation

Wild camping restrictions in part (eg shore of Loch Lomond)

🎶 Vibe

Remoteness: Rural
Popularity: Busy
Social Scene: Strong
Local Interaction: Welcoming
Tourist Overrun: Moderate
Plushness: Comfort
Trash Level: Clean
Avg Local Income: €41,000.00
Cannabis: Illegal
Alcohol: Accepted

🛟 Safety & Inclusion

Terrorism Risk Low
Political Risk Negligible
Solo Female Safety Safe
LGBTQ+ Friendliness Welcoming
Racism Risk Low
Muslim Friendliness Supportive
Jewish Friendliness Supportive
Vegetarian Friendliness Well-catered
Phone Signal Reliable
Charging Interval Daily

📍 Trails in the Same Region

Skye Trail
Skye Trail
UK · 128 km · 3 · 7 days

Suggest a correction

Help keep West Highland Way accurate. Only the values you change are submitted, and every suggestion is reviewed before going live.

Distance
Current: 154
Duration
Current: 7
Route Type
Current: Point-to-Point
Hemisphere
Current: Northern
Status
Current: Open
Start Trailhead Name
Current: Milngavie, north Glasgow
End Trailhead Name
Current: Fort William
Highest Point
Current: The Devil's Staircase
Highest Point Elev
Current: 548
Lowest Point Name
Current: Sea Level
Lowest Point Elev
Current: 0
Ascent
Current: 4020
Avg Alt
Current: 180
Grade
Current: T2
Nav Diff
Current: Easy
Suck factor
Current: Mind your step
Most common direction
Current: NOBO
Good Months (Peak or Shoulder)
Current: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10
Wild Camp
Current: Legal
Resupply
Current: 3
Dirtbag Budget
Current: 20
Average Joe Budget
Current: 80
Flashpacker Budget
Current: 275
Baggage transfer
Current: Yes
Permit
Current: No
Dogs
Current: Yes
Transport
Current: Easy
Time to Trailhead
Current: 1
Trailhead parking
Current: Yes
Visa
Current: Generally none
Power
Current: Daily
Signal
Current: Reliable
Safety
Current: High
Terror
Current: Low
Politics
Current: Negligible
Female
Current: Safe
LGBT
Current: Welcoming
Racism
Current: Low
Muslim
Current: Supportive
Jewish
Current: Supportive
Vegetarian Friendly
Current: Well-catered
Remote
Current: Rural
Popularity
Current: Busy
Social
Current: Strong
Local Interaction
Current: Welcoming
Overrun
Current: Moderate
Plush
Current: Comfort
Trash
Current: Clean
Income
Current: 41000.00
Weed
Current: Illegal
Booze
Current: Accepted