West Highland Way map and stages
The West Highland Way runs 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie to Fort William. The official route has eight stages of 9 to 15 miles each.
- 154 km from Milngavie to Fort William
- 8 stages, walked south to north
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Route: OpenStreetMap. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
West Highland Way distance
The West Highland Way is 96 miles, or 154 km, from end to end. It starts on Douglas Street in Milngavie and finishes at Gordon Square in Fort William.
Milngavie is about 10 km (6 miles) north of Glasgow city centre in a straight line. The finish in Fort William is 7 km from the summit of Ben Nevis.
The route line on the map measures about 152 km. Use the official stage distances below when you plan your days.
West Highland Way stages
| Stage | From | To | Miles | Km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milngavie | Drymen | 12 | 19 |
| 2 | Drymen | Rowardennan | 15 | 24 |
| 3 | Rowardennan | Inverarnan | 14 | 22.5 |
| 4 | Inverarnan | Tyndrum | 12 | 19.5 |
| 5 | Tyndrum | Inveroran | 9 | 14.5 |
| 6 | Inveroran | Kingshouse | 10 | 16 |
| 7 | Kingshouse | Kinlochleven | 9 | 14.5 |
| 8 | Kinlochleven | Fort William | 15 | 24 |
| Total | Milngavie | Fort William | 96 | 154 |
Stages run from 9 to 15 miles, with an average of 12 miles. Stages 2 and 8 are the longest. Stages 5 and 7 are the shortest.
West Highland Way route, stage by stage
Straight-line distances to nearby Munros come from the Database of British and Irish Hills.
Stage 1: Milngavie to Drymen
This first stage is 12 miles (19 km). Drymen is the first overnight stop on the official split. Ben Lomond, the nearest Munro to Drymen, is 18 km away in a straight line.
Stage 2: Drymen to Rowardennan
At 15 miles (24 km), this is one of the two longest stages. By Rowardennan you have walked 27 miles (43 km). Rowardennan is the stage end closest to Ben Lomond, 4 km from its summit.
Stage 3: Rowardennan to Inverarnan
This stage is 14 miles (22.5 km). Inverarnan is near Beinn Chabhair (932 m), 5.0 km away, and An Caisteal (996 m), 6.2 km away.
Stage 4: Inverarnan to Tyndrum
This stage is 12 miles (19.5 km). The halfway point, 48 miles from Milngavie, falls on this stage. Tyndrum lies 5 km from Beinn Dubhchraig and 6 km from Beinn Challuim.
Stage 5: Tyndrum to Inveroran
At 9 miles (14.5 km), this is one of the two shortest stages. Inveroran is 5 km from Stob a' Choire Odhair and 6 km from Beinn an Dothaidh.
Stage 6: Inveroran to Kingshouse
This stage is 10 miles (16 km). Kingshouse is 3.7 km from Stob Dearg on Buachaille Etive Mor (1,021 m). It is 4.4 km from Meall a' Bhuiridh (1,108 m).
Stage 7: Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
This stage is 9 miles (14.5 km). By Kinlochleven you have covered 81 miles (130 km). Am Bodach (1,032 m) is 3.4 km away, and Na Gruagaichean (1,054 m) is 3.7 km away.
Stage 8: Kinlochleven to Fort William
The final stage is 15 miles (24 km). It ends at Gordon Square in Fort William, 7 km from the top of Ben Nevis.
Distance from Milngavie at each stage end
| Stage end | Miles from start | Km from start | Miles to go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drymen | 12 | 19 | 84 |
| Rowardennan | 27 | 43 | 69 |
| Inverarnan | 41 | 65.5 | 55 |
| Tyndrum | 53 | 85 | 43 |
| Inveroran | 62 | 99.5 | 34 |
| Kingshouse | 72 | 115.5 | 24 |
| Kinlochleven | 81 | 130 | 15 |
| Fort William | 96 | 154 | 0 |
How many days to walk the West Highland Way
The eight official stages make an eight-day walk at an average of 12 miles a day. Plan for a week or more if you want to walk the whole route at that pace.
Joining two short stages saves a day. For example, Tyndrum to Kingshouse combines stages 5 and 6 into one day of 19 miles (30.5 km). That gives a seven-day walk:
- Milngavie to Drymen: 12 miles (19 km)
- Drymen to Rowardennan: 15 miles (24 km)
- Rowardennan to Inverarnan: 14 miles (22.5 km)
- Inverarnan to Tyndrum: 12 miles (19.5 km)
- Tyndrum to Kingshouse: 19 miles (30.5 km)
- Kingshouse to Kinlochleven: 9 miles (14.5 km)
- Kinlochleven to Fort William: 15 miles (24 km)
The other short stage, Kingshouse to Kinlochleven, is 9 miles. Joining it to the final stage would make a 24-mile day.
Adding a rest day is another option. Rowardennan and Fort William are the stage ends closest to Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis.
Which direction to walk
The official stages run south to north, from Milngavie to Fort William. The official stage distances are set out in that direction. Walking north also leaves the highest hills near the route, from Kingshouse to Ben Nevis, for the last days.
Planning the walk
- Check where you will sleep at each stage end before you set off.
- Pack for rain, wind and cold on any day of the year.
- Carry a map of the route and know where each stage ends.
- Allow extra time on the longer stages, especially in short winter daylight.
- Start early on stages 2 and 8, the two 15-mile days.
- For a shorter trip, the first four stages run from Milngavie to Tyndrum, 53 miles (85 km).
Quick answers
- How long is the West Highland Way?
The route is 96 miles, or 154 km, from Milngavie to Fort William.
- How many stages does the West Highland Way have?
Eight official stages, from 9 to 15 miles each. The shortest are Tyndrum to Inveroran and Kingshouse to Kinlochleven. The longest are Drymen to Rowardennan and Kinlochleven to Fort William.
- How many days does the West Highland Way take?
The eight official stages make an eight-day walk. Combining Tyndrum to Inveroran with Inveroran to Kingshouse gives a seven-day plan with one 19-mile day.
- Where does the West Highland Way start and finish?
It starts on Douglas Street in Milngavie, north of Glasgow, and finishes at Gordon Square in Fort William.
- Which is the longest stage of the West Highland Way?
Two stages share the title at 15 miles (24 km): Drymen to Rowardennan, and Kinlochleven to Fort William.
- Should you walk the West Highland Way north or south?
The official stages run south to north, from Milngavie to Fort William. The official stage distances are set out in that direction.
- How far is Milngavie from Glasgow?
Milngavie is about 10 km (6 miles) north of Glasgow city centre in a straight line.