8-day West Highland Way itinerary

Who this 8-day split is for

• Shorter days — the 7-day plus one night, so Tyndrum → Kingshouse is two mornings, not one.
• First long trail, easier — start here if seven days feels tight but you still want a walking itinerary, not a holiday with rest days.
• Same loch day — Rowardennan → Inverarnan is unchanged. Inversnaid is lunch, not the night.
• Walking days — some operators sell “9 days / 8 nights”; they count travel. This page is eight days on trail.

1. Day 1

   Milngavie to Drymen

   5–6 h 19.3 km · 12.0 mi ↑ 320 m · 1,050 ft ↓ 300 m · 1,000 ft

   A gentle warm-up on footpaths, tracks, and lanes. Mugdock Country Park and a string of small lochs ease you out of the Glasgow fringe. Drymen is just off the Way — most people leave the path for the night and a shop.

   Overnight The Drymen Inn (opens in a new tab)

2. Day 2

   Drymen to Rowardennan

   7–8 h 23.8 km · 14.8 mi ↑ 770 m · 2,550 ft ↓ 810 m · 2,650 ft

   Conic Hill is the first proper climb, then the east shore of Loch Lomond. Balmaha is the natural lunch. The afternoon along the loch is longer than it looks — save something for Rowardennan.

   Overnight Rowardennan Hotel (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Rowardennan to Inverarnan

   6–7 h 22.3 km · 13.9 mi ↑ 740 m · 2,450 ft ↓ 750 m · 2,450 ft

   The hardest walking day for most people. The east shore north of Rowardennan is boulder and root; miles take longer than the map. Inversnaid Hotel is the halfway pause. Beinglas or the Drovers after you leave the loch.

   Overnight The Drovers Inn (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   Inverarnan to Tyndrum

   5–6 h 19.1 km · 11.9 mi ↑ 590 m · 1,950 ft ↓ 370 m · 1,200 ft

   You leave the loch and walk into the Highlands on old military and drove roads. Crianlarich is a mid-day rail and shop stop if you detour. Tyndrum has two hotels, a store, and the Green Welly — a real resupply night.

   Overnight Tyndrum Lodges (opens in a new tab)

5. Day 5

   Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy

   3–4 h 11.1 km · 6.9 mi ↑ 160 m · 500 ft ↓ 230 m · 750 ft

   A short, straightforward day on the old military road. Open views, little technical walking. Bridge of Orchy is a one-hotel village — book it if this is your extra night on the 8- or 9-day.

   Overnight Bridge of Orchy Hotel (opens in a new tab)

6. Day 6

   Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse

   5–6 h 19.3 km · 12.0 mi ↑ 500 m · 1,650 ft ↓ 400 m · 1,300 ft

   Over the hill to Inveroran, then the Rannoch Moor crossing. Shorter than Tyndrum–Kingshouse but still exposed. Kingshouse sits at the edge of Glencoe — book the bunkhouse; one night is normal.

   Overnight Kingshouse Hotel (opens in a new tab)

7. Day 7

   Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

   4–5 h 14.2 km · 8.8 mi ↑ 430 m · 1,400 ft ↓ 670 m · 2,200 ft

   The shortest classic day and the most famous climb. The Devil’s Staircase is steep, not long; the name is from soldiers hauling kit, not from the grade. Then a long descent into Kinlochleven — shops, pub, and a proper village night.

   Overnight Tailrace Inn (opens in a new tab)

8. Day 8 Longest

   Kinlochleven to Fort William

   7–8 h 24.2 km · 15.0 mi ↑ 710 m · 2,350 ft ↓ 710 m · 2,350 ft

   A long last day on the Lairig Mor — forest climb, then the old military road under the Mamores. Ben Nevis comes into view before the town. The walking day ends at the finish statue, not a Glen Nevis hotel. Train or bus the same afternoon if you want; stay if you want slack or the Ben.

   Overnight West Highland Way Finish

Cross-check: official suggested itineraries (WHW4) . They stop at seven walking days. This split is that seven-day with Tyndrum → Kingshouse broken at Bridge of Orchy. Distances are from our trail geometry, not their mile table.

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