West Highland Way

Opened in 1980 as Scotland's first official long-distance route, the West Highland Way has become one of the most walked and run long-distance routes in the world. It crosses from the lowlands north of Glasgow into the Highlands in a single continuous journey, climbing through Loch Lomond-side, crossing Rannoch Moor and threading through Glencoe before its finish beneath Ben Nevis in Fort William.

For trail runners the route is a classic multi-day challenge, typically covered in two to four days. The Highland Fling race covers the first 53 miles (Milngavie to Tyndrum) in April each year. The West Highland Way Race — 96 miles in under 35 hours — is one of the longest-established ultra events in the UK and takes place in June.

The waymarking is excellent throughout — the thistle symbol appears frequently and the route is hard to lose in clear conditions. Most of the terrain is good underfoot: well-maintained paths, old military roads and forest tracks. The exception is the Devil's Staircase and the high ground around Rannoch Moor, where the paths narrow and the surroundings become properly remote.

The route passes through three distinct landscapes: the pastoral lowlands and loch shores of the south, the vast peatlands of Rannoch Moor, and the mountains of Glencoe and the Nevis range in the north.

Milngavie to Drymen (19 km): Low-key start through the outskirts of Glasgow and into the Mugdock Country Park. Mostly flat, good paths.

Drymen to Rowardennan (22 km): Conic Hill gives the first proper ascent and a view south across Loch Lomond before dropping to Balmaha on the loch shore. The path then hugs the east bank of Loch Lomond — rough and rooted in places, fast in others.

Rowardennan to Inverarnan (22 km): The toughest section of Loch Lomond-side. The path becomes narrow and technical around the Inversnaid Hotel, with several hands-on scrambles in wet conditions. Improving after Inversnaid.

Inverarnan to Tyndrum (22 km): Easier terrain through Glen Falloch and up the wide valley towards Tyndrum. The route splits briefly — both branches are runnable.

Tyndrum to Kingshouse (29 km): The Rannoch Moor crossing. The old military road gives fast, exposed running across one of the wildest landscapes in Scotland. Bridge of Orchy is the last reliable food stop before the moor. The Kingshouse Hotel at the end of the moor is a welcome sight.

Kingshouse to Kinlochleven (15 km): The Devil's Staircase climb to 548 m — the highest point on the Way — then a long descent to Kinlochleven.

Kinlochleven to Fort William (25 km): A climb out of Kinlochleven, high moorland, then a long descent into Fort William and the finish at the leisure centre.

Start: Milngavie town centre, easily reached by train from Glasgow Queen Street (25 min, frequent service). The route starts from the pedestrian precinct.

Finish: Fort William leisure centre, off the High Street. Fort William has a rail station (West Highland Line, trains to Glasgow and Mallaig) and a bus station. Car parking is available near the finish.

The route is well set up for through-hikers and runners: bunkhouses, hostels and B&Bs at each major stop (Balmaha, Rowardennan, Inverarnan, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Kingshouse, Kinlochleven). Book ahead in summer — the route is popular from May to September.

Key food stops: Balmaha, Tyndrum (Real Food Café — excellent), Bridge of Orchy, Kingshouse Hotel (bar meals), Kinlochleven (The Ice Factor). Rannoch Moor has nothing.

Best time: May to September. The midges are worst June to August in still weather — carry repellent.