West Highland Way
| West Highland Way | |
|---|---|
Rannoch Moor on the West Highland Way, between Bridge of Orchy and Kingshouse
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| Length | 154.5 km (96 mi) |
| Location | Scotland |
| Designation | Scottish LDR |
| Trailheads | |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation | |
| Highest point | The Devil's Staircase near Kingshouse56°40′35″N 4°54′49″W / 56.6764°N 4.9135°W, 550 m (1,800 ft) |
| Lowest point | sea level |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Moderate |
| Season | All year |
| Hazards | Weather |
The West Highland Way (Scottish Gaelic: Slighe na Gàidhealtachd an Iar) is a linear long distance footpath in Scotland, with the official status of Long Distance Route. It is 154.5 km (96.0 mi) long, running from Milngavie north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, with an element of hill walking in the route. It is managed by the West Highland Way Management Group (WHWMG) consisting of West Dunbartonshire Council, Stirling Council, Argyll & Bute Council, Highland Council and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority. About 80,000 people use the path every year, of whom over 15,000 walk the entire route.
The trail, conceived by the late Tom Hunter from Glasgow, was approved for development in 1974 and was completed and opened on 6 October 1980 by Lord Mansfield so becoming the first officially designated long distance footpath in Scotland. In June 2010, the West Highland Way was co-designated as part of the International Appalachian Trail.
The path uses many ancient roads, including drovers' roads, military roads and old coaching roads, and is traditionally walked from south to north. As well as increasing the sense of adventure, taking the route in this direction keeps the sun from one's eyes.
The route is commonly walked in seven to eight days, although many fitter and more experienced walkers do it in five or six. The route can be covered in considerably less time than this, but a less hurried progress is the choice of the majority of walkers, allowing for appreciation of the countryside along the Way. Enjoyment of the natural surroundings of the walk is the primary motivating factor for many people following the route.
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