10 Reasons to do the West Highland Way

In May, 2017 I set out with five friends to undertake the West Highland Way. It is a 100-mile trek across the Scottish Highlands. The trail is one way from Milngavie, a small town about an hour's drive from Glasgow to Fort William, which incidentally is also the town where Ben Nevis (the UK's tallest mountain) is located. The trail is considered by National Geographic to be one of the best long distance trails in the world and after completing it, I can definitely see why. This was my first long distance, multi-day hike where we camped every night for a total of eight days. Here are 10 reasons you should do it too.

1. It Can be Done in One Week

The West Highland Way is a glorious, ethereal, cathartic experience and at just 100-miles it is easily achieved in a week or even less, depending on how many miles you want to do in one day. We were less worried about getting done very quickly so we took our time, some days only walking ten or even eight miles. Other days we walked about 20. The point to remember with any long distance hike is that you should "hike your own hike", we planned our stops around campsites but if you were determined to wild camp then you could manage the whole trail in a matter of days by upping the miles you put into it. This means that you can still have the incredible experience of the West Highland Way without having to take too many days off work. However, if you want to spread it out and stay at lush B&Bs or hotels and take two weeks, you can easily do that too.

2. Whiskey!

On your very first day on the trail you'll come across the Glengoyne Whiskey Distillery. I highly recommend that you take a tour. The distillery is visible from the trail and only about a ten minute detour so it is well worth your visit. They do tours all day from 10am until 4pm, if you start the trail early you'll definitely make it in time. The distillery offers several tour packages but all of them end in a tasting, and how better to kick off your first day than with a glass of local, Scottish gold. What makes the whiskey special is that they don't import peat to make their drink but instead use local fuel. They are environmentally conscious, kind, humble and just lovely people there. If you want to buy a couple of bottles, regardless of whether you want them as presents or for yourself (just don't fill up your camel packs with the whiskey, think of the midges you'd attract!) you can do this without worrying about the added weight because the West Highland Way is a trail that supports hikers with services that transfer your bags to your campsites every night. This brings me to my next point...

3. Have Your Bags Transported for You

So the first few days of the trail we all stubbornly decided to carry our very heavy bags. And I remember the weight was literally so intense that it was all I could focus on at many instances. The straps were cutting into my shoulders. I had not forked out lots of money for lightweight packs like Zpacks or Osprey, I was using a pack that was bulky, not fitted right and very heavy. I had not packed it thoughtfully, and was definitely carrying too much stuff. Needless to say, I was bloody miserable. By day two, one of our friends dropped off the trail completely and went home, while everyone else save one person opted to get the services provided in every town along the route that offer to transfer your bags to your next campsite for you, for a nominal fee. In the beginning we balked at the service, saying we didn't need to pay the 60-odd pounds, but after two days we were grateful for the service and would probably have paid more. My advice is either pay for it from day one and carry a light day pack or else invest in a lightweight bag and pack light! There are service operators literally next to the trail-head in Milgavnie who will be happy to set this up for you, if you have your campsites planned in advance they will take your bags there.

4. Beautiful Forests

If you Google images of the West Highland Way you're bound to see lots of expansive photos of Moors and wide open spaces. While it is true that there are a lot of those landscapes, there are also miles and miles of deep, lush, strikingly green forests. Some of the forests are thick pines that make you feel like you're in the Sierra Nevada mountains and some of them are so richly green and wet that it is like being in Washington state. However, you're in neither place, you're very much in Scotland and it is glorious. As my friend exclaimed who hiked with us, "Who knew all this was at the top of our country!"

4. Spend a Day Traversing the UK's Largest Lake

Loch Lommond is enormous. It takes a total of three days to completely get around it, but one full day is spent entirely along its banks. Though May is the most popular time to hike the trail because that is when there are the fewest midges out and about (don't underestimate the midges, buy a mosquito net immediately), if you waited and went in July you could swim until your heart's desire. Actually we were lucky enough to experience extra hot weather the whole time we were hiking so if we had wanted to we could have swam in May, and we did swim later in a pond where they used to drown witches (no, joke), but it is lovely and serene to be next to such a gorgeous body of water. And if you are wild camping you will see countless spots to camp along the route, though technically Scotland does not allow wild camping around the lake--it definitely seems like people do anyway, just be sure that you leave no trace if you do decide to go that way. Respect the beauty of the land and the animals that live there.

5. Friendly Wildlife

Deer came right up to us on the trail and even ate granola out of our hands. Their noses are wet and fuzzy in your palm. They are so pretty and sweet and not afraid at all. This is because the West Highland Way is mostly protected parkland that does not allow game hunting. Also, the trail goes through some of the wildest and most remote parts of the UK, so enjoy the friendliness of these majestic animals. We saw owls, foxes, deer, antelope-like creatures and countless other furry critters.

6. Moors

More, more, more! If you've never been on a moor, then the West Highland Way is a fabulous introduction. Sprawling vistas, windswept valleys, low hanging, fast moving clouds, purple heather and lonesome trees. Moors are magical places that evoke the Bronte's. They are very handsome wild spaces that everyone should get to experience. Just think of a desert that is green, and that is a moor.

7. A Rich Culture and History

It isn't just about whiskey in Scotland, though this is definitely a large and significant part of it. The deep valleys and quaint villages that you come across on your trek are rich in history of clan battles, including the famous massacre of Glencoe which you will undoubtedly learn about if you take the short bus or taxi ride into one of the most beautiful glens on the trail. This is where the McDonald's were slaughtered by the Campbells. This the land that Robert the Bruce roamed. And the history can be felt in the landscape, the picturesque architecture of the villages and certainly around the hearths of any pub you encounter on the way.

8. Poetic and Inspiring Views

The West Highland Way is a diverse journey through manicured pastures to rugged wilderness. Along the way, the weather and atmosphere will change dramatically and unexpectedly, leaving you constantly surprised by what's around the next bend. And there is something poetic about walking at the pace of a human across any stretch of earth, but if you chose a place then when you go into it with your whole heart you can invest your mind, body and energy into absorbing what it has to offer you. You will fall in love with what you see.

9. Anyone Can Do It

The West Highland Way is mountainous much of the time, but in the UK none of the mountains are too tall, anyway. As I stated earlier, the trail concludes at Scotland's highest mountain which is Ben Nevis, and you do not have to summit it if you do not want to, in fact, if you chose to summit Ben Nevis you should allow for another day. There are only three strenuous assents on the trail and they are spread out over the course of several days, so at no point will you be climbing high up into mountain terrain. The whole journey is manageable and anyone who is reasonably fit can and should do it.

10. Feel Accomplished Completing 100-Miles

The ending of the West Highland Way is frustratingly placed in the center of town, at Fort William. However, when you waltz down the high street having just completed 100-miles you sort of feel like a champion returning from a victorious battle. And there are often people there at the end playing bagpipes and cheering you on, everyone looks at you with knowing grins and congratulatory looks. It is a euphoric feeling. As soon as you check in to any of the numerous hotels or hostels located there and drop your bags you can pop right back down to the high street and have a much deserved pint, or glass of whiskey.