6 Days & 5 Nights

4.8

West Highland Way (The South) | 6 Days

Hike the southern section of Scotland's most famous long-distance trail from Milngavie to Inverarnan
Enjoy camaraderie along the trail as you meet fellow hikers from around the world
Revel in the "bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond and lush greenery of the Trossachs National Park
Visit the renowned Drovers Inn for a well deserved dram at the end of your trip!
Enjoy hassle-free navigation via our smartphone app, daily luggage transfers and hand-picked lodgings

Discover the southern half of Scotland's most famous long-distance trail - the West Highland Way. Hike 41 miles in 5 days and explore the lush glens and rich woodlands of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park as you follow the trail north from Milngavie to Inverarnan (just under halfway to Fort William). Pass by whisky distilleries and the charming rural villages of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, with spectacular views over and alongside the bonnie waters. Towering mountains, tranquil lochs and rushing rivers combine to reward you at every bend with unique and ever-changing landscapes. This really is Scottish highland scenery at its best.

Macs was founded in 2003 just a few miles from the start of the trail, and with headquarters in Glasgow every year members of our team hike the WHW, conduct volunteer trail maintenance and visit our valued accommodation and luggage partners. We use our in-depth knowledge, extensive experience and local connections to offer you the best of this iconic route.

From $995.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Milngavie

Arrive into Glasgow and make your way to the town of Milngavie. This town is perfectly situated for quick access to the hills, and is easily reachable from Glasgow city centre.

Overnight Milngavie

Milngavie (pronounced Mullguy), the start of the West Highland Way is a outlying residential suburb of Glasgow. It has a pedestrian town centre, several pubs an restaurants and is a 25 minute train journey into the centre of Glasgow.

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Premier Inn - Milngavie | Hotel

Milngavie Premier Inn has everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room and an onsite Beefeater restaurant serving freshly cooked chargrilled food.

Premier Inn - Bearsden | Hotel

Stay at the Premier Inn Hotel Glasgow Bearsden and you'll be in pole position for the walkers' favourite, the West Highland Way. They have everything you'd expect, incredibly comfy beds in every room.

Tambowie Farm | Bed and breakfast

This beautifully appointed traditional farmhouse offers all modern conveniences including WI-FI and digital flat screened TVs. It is surrounded by 4 golf courses and is set in picturesque countryside on a non-working farm. A warm welcome awaits our guests in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Day 2 Milngavie to Drymen 12.5 miles / 19.5 km

After setting off from Milngavie, today’s route passes through the ancient earldom of Lennox between the Campsie Fells and Blane Water. You follow a series of good paths through beautiful rural scenery to the small village of Drymen. A recommended stop is the Glengoyne Distillery, where you can take a tour and enjoy a wee dram to send you on your way. Enroute to Drymen is the Beech Tree Inn, which has a lovely garden and serves great food.

Drymen is slightly off the route, so refer to your map to ensure that you don’t overshoot the mark.

Ascent/Descent: +250m (+820ft) /-240m (-785ft)

Overnight Drymen

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ashbank B&B | Bed and breakfast

Ashbank is a small family-run B&B offering superior rooms in the heart of the village. Ashbank was once the home of the famous Olympian Eric Liddel whose story was depicted in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. Your hosts, Tommy and Mhairi, are dedicated to providing a warm welcome and ensuring every aspect of your stay is perfect.

Braeside | Bed and breakfast

Long-term Macs partners, Chris and Fiona, warmly welcome you to Braeside, nestled in the heart of Drymen, directly across from The Clachaig, Scotland's oldest licensed pub. Each en-suite room is stylishly decorated with elegant Scottish touches, featuring artwork by local artists and locally sourced sustainable toiletries. After a day of exploring, unwind in the garden, complete with a firepit where you can share stories from the trail with fellow West Highland Way adventurers.

Greenshadows | Bed and breakfast

Green Shadows is an exceptionally situated 4-star country house B&B that sits in the shadows of the ruins of Buchanan Castle just over a mile from the idyllic village of Drymen. All of their rooms feature stylishly designed en-suite or private adjoining facilities and all are equipped with flat screen colour televisions, and tea and coffee making facilities, hair dryers and ironing facilities. You'll also enjoy one of their hearty breakfasts in their very elegant dining area. The B&B also has free Wi-Fi available if you want to access the internet.

Day 3 Drymen to Balmaha 7 miles / 11.5 km

As you leave Drymen you start to climb towards Conic Hill, which sits astride the Great Divide, separating the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. The climb is fairly steep but on reaching the summit you can enjoy fantastic views over Loch Lomond, Britain’s largest body of freshwater covering 27 square miles. You descend a steep path towards Balmaha, which is a small village nestling in a protected bay on the shores of bonnie Loch Lomond.

Ascent/Descent: +310m (+1020ft) /-360m (-1180ft)

Overnight Balmaha

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The Oak Tree Inn | Country Inn

Standing in the shade of a magnificent 500-year-old oak tree, this unique country Inn which was constructed from locally quarried slate. Each room has its own individual character and all of the deluxe rooms in the cottages have views towards the loch. All rooms are en-suite and are well equipped to make your stay with them comfortable and enjoyable.

Day 4 Balmaha to Rowardennan 7.5 miles / 12 km

This is a beautiful but deceptively tough section. The path alternates between the loch shore and natural forest and headlands on the banks of Loch Lomond. There are numerous short steep climbs, and if you have walked all the way from Drymen you will be very pleased to see Rowardennan. That said, the scenery, forest, and birdlife are outstanding.

During peak months, all accommodation at Rowardennan fills up well in advance. If there is no availability on the date requested, you will automatically be booked into alternative accommodation in Balmaha or Drymen. To get to/from the West Highland Way, a short return transfer will be arranged and a small supplement charge to cover the transfers will be added to your booking.

Ascent/Descent: +150m (+490ft) /-130m (-425ft)

Overnight Rowardennan

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Rowardennan Hotel | Hotel

Arguably boasting one of the most impressive locations along the West Highland Way, the Rowardennan Hotel sits on the rugged eastern shore of Loch Lomond, within the Queen Elizabeth Forest. With breathtaking views of Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond itself, and the northern mountains, it offers a true sense of entering the Highlands and a glimpse of the spectacular scenery ahead. The hotel exudes a classic walker’s charm, with a welcoming atmosphere where adventurers gather at the end of the day to share stories and plan for the journey ahead. On-site, you'll find a lively bar and restaurant, and some rooms feature spectacular views across the loch.

Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel | Hostel

Rowardennan Lodge Youth Hostel sits in an idyllic location on the banks of Loch Lomond with its own jetty and panoramic views across the loch. The lodge offers a wide range of private rooms and comfortable shared dorms all with separate washroom facilities. Relax with a local craft beer or glass of wine in the hostel’s large and cosy lounge, while soaking up the spectacular view across the loch. Other facilities include a laundry and drying room. Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception and WiFi is free for all guests.

Rowardennan Lodges | Lodge

Nestled within the same complex as the hotel, the lodges are set amidst the gardens along the shore of Loch Lomond. Designed for comfort, the rooms ensure a restful night’s sleep, with full access to all hotel facilities. In the evening, unwind with a wee dram in the Clansman Bar while soaking in the stunning views from the beautiful beer garden. Savour hearty, quality hot meals crafted from local ingredients, perfect for refuelling after a long day’s walk. Wi-Fi is available in the hotel for your convenience.

Day 5 Rowardennan to Inverarnan 14.5 miles / 23 km

Arguably, the toughest section of the whole route. Leaving Rowardennan, the West Highland Way winds through forestry paths before tracing the shores of Loch Lomond, offering stunning views of the water and the towering peaks of the Arrochar Alps. For those wanting to conserve energy for later in the day, consider the alternative high route that runs above Loch Lomond for 4km. Although it's roughly the same distance and includes more ascent (100 metres), the terrain is gentler, easier on the legs, and generally considered more manageable, especially in wet conditions.

As you close in on Inversnaid, the path narrows and becomes more undulating, passing over a spectacular bridge and waterfall as you arrive at Inversnaid Hotel.

Departing Inversnaid, you pass through the RSPB Inversnaid Nature Reserve and then close by to Rob Roy’s Cave. The path from Inversnaid to the head of the loch is notably rugged, featuring rocky terrain, tree roots crossing the trail, and some steep steps. After leaving the lochside and passing Doune Bothy the path improves but it may seem a very long two miles from Ardleish to Inverarnan where the lovely Beinglas Farm marks the end of your day. Leave the way and follow the signs for Inverarnan. The 300-year old Drovers Inn is world-famous and provides the ideal location for your end-of-day refreshment.

If you are staying across the loch at Ardlui Hotel, then look out for the sign pointing to the little ferry (Around 2 miles before the end of this section). Walk down to the loch shore and call the ferry by raising the ball (you'll be returned to this same spot the following day).

Please ensure you check your itinerary for details of your overnight stay.

Ascent/Descent: +278m (+912ft) /-273m (-896ft)

Overnight Inverarnan

Accommodations

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ardlui Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

Situated on the western shore of Loch Lomond, Ardlui enjoys a prime location with breathtaking views across the loch to Scotland’s southernmost Munro, the mighty Ben Lomond. Adding to its charm, the location offers the unique experience of arriving by ferry across Loch Lomond from the main West Highland Way trail. Originally built as a private hunting lodge for the Colquhoun family in 1851, the property opened its doors as a hotel in 1886. The spacious rooms provide stunning views of the loch, while the restaurant at Ardlui offers a warm and welcoming retreat after a day of exploring. Committed to using locally sourced ingredients, the menu often features fresh salmon and venison, ensuring a true taste of Scotland.

Beinglas | Bed and breakfast

Beinglas Campsite is situated directly on the West Highland Way in Inverarnan. Chalet-style accommodation is available and there is a bar and restaurant on site. The Stagger Inn offers a cosy setting to eat, drink, socialise or recharge and there is live music during the summer months.

The Drovers Inn | Country Inn, Lodge

The Drovers Inn dates back to the 1800s. Packed full of history, it has been a welcomed, cosy stop for the weary hunters and travellers passing through the highlands for hundreds of years.

There are 15 rooms in the original Inn, these are filled with antique furniture, oil paintings and rich colours, but equipped with today’s modern comforts. When there is no availability in the original building, there are an additional 16 rooms in the lodge across the road, these are more modern chalet style rooms. Regardless of where you are staying, you are free to relax in the bar & lounge areas, and indulge in hearty Scottish cuisine and perhaps a dram of local whisky.

Day 6 Onward travel from Inverarnan

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 12kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 12kg is equivalent to 5 small bouquets of flowers (grown in the Netherlands). Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information about how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This is a stunning long distance walk, showcasing some of the best scenery that Scotland has to offer including the 'Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond'. It can be tough going at times and includes some challenging terrain, but it's a great one for boasting about to friends!

Tour Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way in Scotland, the world renown Tour Du Mont Blanc and Germany's Moselle Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Long-Distance Trails

National Parks

Accessible by Rail

Activity Level & Terrain

This holiday is graded moderate and includes daily walks of between 7 - 16 miles. Perfect for regular walkers, some days will be more challenging than others and the terrain will be varied with some rough and rugged footpaths. More ascent and descent involved so a good level of fitness will be required.

Experience & Fitness

This route is suitable for most regular hikers and the higher your level of physical fitness the more you will enjoy the experience. We suggest hiking regularly and hitting a few hills before your trip, keeping in mind the daily distances and changes in elevation in your daily itinerary.

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodations

This trip includes overnight stays in a combination of small hotels, guest houses, and B&B’s. We have worked with many of our local partners for over 20 years. Our great relationships with them will ensure you receive the best attention from the moment you check in!

Accommodation is limited in remote locations along the trail with sometimes just one option. Keep in mind that the standard of accommodation varies throughout your trip, and be sure to book early. All properties offer a warm welcome to hikers, traditional Scottish hospitality, and delicious local food. While offering outstanding service, accommodations are not often equipped with air-conditioning and rooms may become warm during summer despite the temperate climate and cool nights.

With a variety of rooms available, we book en suite rooms as standard, meaning that the bathroom is connected to the bedroom. If en suite rooms are unavailable, we may book a room with shared facilities, but we will always inform you in advance.

Accommodation Location

We always strive to accommodate you at the locations specified in your itinerary. However, during peak months, limited availability may require us to arrange alternative accommodations to confirm your booking. If these alternatives involve additional transfers or are considered an upgrade, an extra supplement may be added to your booking. Rest assured, we will confirm any changes with you before finalising. At certain times of the year, supplements may be required for stays at the Kingshouse Hotel and the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.

Solo Hikers

This holiday is available to solo hikers, although a supplement is payable as double-occupancy rooms are booked and costs are not shared. If you require single rooms within your party, we would be happy to accommodate your request, although a supplement is payable. It is not generally possible to secure more than three single rooms in a party.

Meals

Breakfast is included each morning while lunch and dinner are not included so you are free to choose from the available options. Your accommodation may be able to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked and paid for on arrival. Alternatively, the Macs App will point out any recommended lunch spots along the way. Dinner is available either at your accommodation or at nearby pubs and restaurants.

Extending your vacation

You may wish to take some extra nights along the route, either to rest or for those with plenty of energy to explore some of the other walking opportunities nearby. We recommend extra nights at Rowardennan (for climbing Ben Lomond, a Munro with commanding views over Loch Lomond), Crianlarich (a halfway stop with options for visiting the seaside town of Oban, complete with whisky distillery, via the local train service), or Fort William (for climbing Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain).

Navigation What's Included

Included

5 Nights in hand-picked B&B’s, small hotels & guesthouses
5 Breakfasts
Baggage transfer
Detailed information pack
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK office

Excluded

Travel to Milngavie / from Fort William
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance

Extras

Upgrade to hotel-standard accommodations every night
Extra nights along the route
Glasgow / Milngavie accommodation (pre-tour)

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

The West Highland Way begins in Milngavie, a distant suburb of Glasgow approx. 8 miles from the city center. There are excellent national and international transport connections by air, rail, and bus. Scotland has a couple of international airports: Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness. London serves as the main UK gateway for long-haul flights and is often the more affordable option when flying from North America.

By Air

Glasgow and Edinburgh Airport are the most convenient airports to fly into.

Glasgow Airport: Situated 8 miles west of the city, the airport is served by numerous domestic and international airlines. Regular Citylink public buses run between the airport and the city center (duration: 15 min). Taxis are also available from the airport to your accommodation in Glasgow, to Glasgow Central Train Station, and to the city center.

Edinburgh Airport: Situated 45 miles east of Glasgow, the airport is served by numerous domestic and international airlines. Regular Citylink public buses run between the airport and Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station in the city center (duration: 1hr). You could also take the tram towards Edinburgh city center (duration: 30 min) and then connect with the train from Edinburgh Haymarket Train Station to Glasgow Queen Street Train Station (duration: 1hr).

By Rail

Traveling to Scotland by train from other parts of the UK is straightforward. Considering the check-in time and flight duration from London or other UK destinations, taking the train to Glasgow might be a more comfortable and convenient option. Booking in advance secures the best fares. For information on all routes visit Scotrail or National Rail.

By Bus

Public buses are the most affordable way to reach Scotland from other places in the UK. Services from England or Wales are operated by National Express or by Scottish Citylink from Scotland.

Getting to Milngavie

The best and simplest way to get to Milngavie from Glasgow is by train. Regular Scotrail services run between Glasgow Central and Queen Street Stations (duration: 25 min). Milngavie railway station is close to the start of the West Highland Way, and this is also where you will leave your luggage with our local handlers.

Alternatively, you can flag down a taxi on the street, call a taxi from your hotel, or use Uber (duration: 15 min).

Getting from the End

Return transfers from Inverarnan to Glasgow are NOT included in the price of your holiday. If you are returning to Glasgow we suggest the Citylink Bus (up to 8 daily/1.5 hours).

By Coach

Scottish Citylink operates up to 8 services daily to Glasgow and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.They also operate services north to Fort William, Inverness and Skye.

Web: www.citylink.co.uk

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person. Please ensure that you do not bring more than one bag of 20kg as if this occurs, the luggage transfer company will ask you to pay an additional fee. Our luggage transfer company can store the extra bag for you whilst you are on the tour and will deliver it to your final accommodation for an additional cost. Extra luggage and bag storage costs can be made locally.

At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.

Info & FAQ

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Online Documents

At Macs Adventure we care about the environment! We’re taking action to minimize the impact we have by converting the majority of our tour documentation for online delivery.

On this tour, all your detailed tour information will be digitally delivered. You will have access to this documentation via “My Account” on our website.

Equipment

Having suitable footwear (hiking shoes/boots), comfortable and functional clothing, a waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, and hats/gloves is essential. You'll be outdoors for the majority of your time, so it's crucial to be prepared for changing weather conditions, rain or shine. Carrying waterproofs and sunscreen is advisable! Your Trip Information Pack contains a list of the necessary equipment along with some helpful suggestions. While you don't need specialized or technical gear, bringing hiking poles could prove beneficial.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.