5 Things I'd Do Differently Hiking The West Highland Way

00:00 Hey Y'all
00:26 More Days
02:33 Split Loch Lomond Section
03:56 Buff/Eye Mask
04:59 Go Earlier
06:31 Not Pregnant/Carry A Shelter

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[eleanorheptinstall]

I've always done the WHW in spring or early-mid Autumn, I've completed it 4 times incl. once southbound. The Loch Lomond section north of Inversnaid is certainly the most difficult bit, though the big climb from Kinlochleven to the top of the Devils Staircase is tough on the knees going south.

I recommend a break in Crianlarich or Tyndrum, take the train into Oban for a day out, a very good whisky distillery there; or catch the train to Corrour, the highest and most remote station in he UK with it's excellent Station House that is famous for it's venison; or climb a Munro straight from your hotel, e.g., Ben More, Cruich Ardrain or Ben Lui above Strath Fillian.

My favourite hotel along 'The Way' is The Drovers Inn in Inverarnan, at the top of Loch Lomond, or try the little ferry across the Loch to the hotel in Ardlui from Ardleish (£5). Very good hostels also at Rowardannan and Crianlarich (SYHA/HI hostel aff.), or the excellent independent hostel at Tyndrum, a good one also in Kinlochleven. For a quirky place to sleep try the Bridge of Orchy station house.

I recommend
Day 1 to Drymen via Glengoyne distillery, good cafes and a good Inn along route eat at Scotland's oldest pub. Don't miss the trail cache in Gartness (and just beyond Rowardannan hostel along the way, bring cash)
Day 2 to Balmaha (catch a little ferry to InchCailloch Island, right on the Highland Boundary Fault, an ancient plate boundary (easy to spot from Conic Hill)
Day 3 to Rowcloish Bothy a good bothy experience + good lochside camping spots with a bite to eat at the Clansman Bar (take the high level path and backtrack a wee bit). NB: a camping restriction zone is in place up to a mile past Rowardannan, need camping permits or stay at campsites.
Day 4 up to Inverarnan via Inversnaid, shorten this journey from the bothy to about 11 miles.
Day 5 - To Tyndrum 13 + 2 miles if you want to pop down to Crianlarich shop/Post office, station cafe or good pubs.
Day 6 - Day off
Day 7 - Wild Camp near Inveronan Hotel - Small Bar open to Hikers, though limited spaces for food, the Bridge of Orchy does a good breakfast for walkers
Day 8 - Wild Camp over bridge from Kings house or stay at GlenCoe ski centre campsite 9/10 miles, or have big day over Devil's Staircase to Kinlochleven (18 miles). Both are pretty pricey places, Kingshouse hotel no longer has it's slightly faded, Highland charm, now resembles something from Vale or Aspen. In 2009 it cost me £42 for B&B, now it costs over £200 a night.
Day 9/10 - To Finish in Fort William, recommend a visit to the Ben Nevis Inn in Glen Nevis. For an easier post-Way day out, head up the Glen on the bus to Lower Falls and walk through the gorge on the path to the open meadow overlooking Steale Falls, or take the Train to Glenfinnan for its famous viaduct, wee station museum and excellent good at the Station buffet car, can sleep in the adjacent sleeping carriage.

Hope this sounds interesting

[stevefritz]

I love these honest videos. Too many YouTubers just want clicks on their trip videos or, Heaven forbid, gear videos. This kinda of video keeps it real and keeps us safe and better able to enjoy getting out there. Thank you for that.

[melaniegarden]

Mid April is a fabulous time time to hike in Scotland. No midgies yet and weather much more stable! And few people! Love all your videos and congrats on the new one on the way!

[Philliben]

I kinda don't want to give you my WHW tip in case people actually see it! My view is that most people start the trail at the weekend or the beginning of the week - Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Therefore if you start the trail mid week the section you are on will always be much quieter than it would be at the busier times. I think another thing, especially people from outside Scotland often under estimate is the weather. Most people probably think of Scotland as being cold or cool even in summer and while that's true in terms of temperatures humidity can be off the scale making it feel very hot and uncomfortable. 90% humidity and upwards isn't uncommon so be aware. Also the weather is extremely changeable, it's pretty annoying, but you'll have to have gear for every weather type. I've had snow blizzards in the last week of May and blazing sun in November. Often the weather changes significantly multiple times in a day or even a morning or afternoon and people might not be used to that. One last thing regarding the weather which was kind of mentioned in the video. Scotland is very, very wet October to March and then the rainfall levels drop off a lot in April. Then from April the rainfall increases again getting heavier through the summer then dips again in September. So in terms of getting dry weather (good luck!) the best chances are April/May or June/September. Rain fall is actually higher during mid summer July/August.

[dkbt]

Good tips and tricks! Love these videos where people have actually done it. Thanks! ❤

[eleanoreadams]

I just did the WHW at the end of May this year (2024) also through MACS Adventure. I booked in October 2023 and got the accomodations I wanted (Kingshouse), so book early! I opted for the 7 day itinerary and I thought it was good for me. I like to hike early and all day, so the mileage was fine and not rushed. Yes - Loch Lomond was the hardest section. Technical trail. Had perfect weather in May - only rained a tiny bit. Plan on doing it again! So fun!

[patchthomas]

I'd recommend long trousers, ticks were super bad when I went in summer. I still see them crawling up the inner of my tent when I close my eyes. :p

[joanhennes]

Great to see you back on the trail, Dixie. Nearly 35 years ago, while living in Yosemite, I hiked up to the Vernal Falls Bridge when my daughter was a week late. She was born healthy the next day, on Halloween. Your baby is so lucky to have you for a mother.

[jerrim.]

Thank you for sharing your advice. We’re thinking of doing this next year, and all of your recommendations were helpful. We did the Camino Santiago and the Cotswolds Way with a booking company. Both times, I wish we’d have allowed extra time. Loved following your adventure on the WHW, and it has really inspired me to do it.

[jimbobh]

May is always the best month in Scotland.Try the TGO Challenge next time, right up your street.

[RickCollman]

Re: Midges. Alert for North Americans: A mosquito net does not cut it! They'll go right through your basic S2S net. Get a headnet once you arrive or make sure it's extra fine. Check your tent net for even the smallest of openings or prepare for torture.

[fionaburrows]

I've walked WHW 4 times - always same weekend in May. Once similar to you. Once 25+ degrees sun. Once rainier. And once with non stop rain, snow and hail. You can never guarantee anything about the weather in Scotland!
Midges are definitely worst Jun-Aug though.

[jamesdec]

Watch some of your videos in the past and really enjoyed them finally found your channel again and subscribed

[rkatrails]

All great observations and helpful. I'm seriously interested in doing this hike.

[RodMurray]

Good points all round! We started in early June 2023 and had very warm and sunny atypical Scottish weather. We had to stop midday before Tyndrum due to the heat. I agree that indeed the Loch Lomond section would be better broken up. We opted for the high road trail, suggested by a local as one of our group had to wear a knee brace. That eliminated the super challenging rocky section you spoke of. We were also on the 9 night 8 day trip but had our own lodging the night before we started.

[moxiemckeldrey]

Thank you for the tips. Enjoy your time at Glenville Lake.
You're in my neighborhood of WNC!
Good OL' Cullowhee WCU. GO CATS 🐾🐾🐾

[MIEJ]

You were VERY lucky to avoid the midgies!🤣 June can be awful, I once tried to quickly change camera lenses in a forest and the camera filled with them!!

There are lots of other long distance paths in Scotland, you can do the John Muir trail either direction (think he founded Yellowstone or something?).
I like the Fife coastal path but that’s me being a Fifer… but there are many more to choose from and some can be linked together. Probably top of my to-do list is the Hebridean Way, across the Outer Hebrides on some of Scotland’s most spectacular islands. Hit me up if you want any advice about Scotland/UK 👍🏻

[carlagallahan]

I agree with other comments about hiking the WHW in mid-April to mid-May. We hiked WHW in mid-April, no midges and it only sprinkled one evening for 15 minutes. So far completed WHW, Hadrian's Wall and Wainwright's 2C2 in mid-April to mid-May and had overall great weather. We carried full gear so tented when possible and stayed in pubs/hotels when available. We did not pre-book any stays except maybe the day prior, so we had lots of flexibility. Loch Lomond is a chore after a few miles and totally agree with all the ups and downs around the shore.

[AirdrieRambler]

Some great tips there. Midges are a big problem, and I now carry a Thermacell which I've found to be very effective. Ticks seems to be a more serious problem in recent years, and I would recommend carrying a tick remover or tweezers to deal with them.

[johneason]

Thanks for the added invaluable info. I will put this hike on my must do list.