9-day West Highland Way itinerary

Who this 9-day split is for

• Leisurely pace — the 8-day plus one night at Balmaha, so Conic Hill is a short day of its own.
• First long trail, unhurried — start here if seven days feels rushed and you want the shortest possible stages.
• Loch day stays — Rowardennan → Inverarnan is not split at Inversnaid. Thin beds, little time saved.
• Walking days — some operators sell “10 days / 9 nights”; they count travel. Their “9 days” is our 8-day. This page is nine 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 Balmaha

   3–4 h 11.3 km · 7.0 mi ↑ 410 m · 1,350 ft ↓ 460 m · 1,500 ft

   The short Conic Hill day. Forestry tracks, then a steady climb to 361 m and a steep drop to the loch. Balmaha has food and beds; this is the extra night that keeps the 9-day honest.

   Overnight Oak Tree Inn (opens in a new tab)

3. Day 3

   Balmaha to Rowardennan

   3–4 h 12.5 km · 7.8 mi ↑ 360 m · 1,200 ft ↓ 350 m · 1,150 ft

   The south loch only — no Conic Hill. Shore path and forest to the foot of Ben Lomond. A short day if you overnighted in Balmaha; still rocky in places, not a pavement stroll.

   Overnight Rowardennan Hotel (opens in a new tab)

4. Day 4

   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)

5. Day 5

   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)

6. Day 6

   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)

7. Day 7

   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)

8. Day 8

   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)

9. Day 9 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 extra nights at Balmaha and Bridge of Orchy. Distances are from our trail geometry, not their mile table.

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