Scotland’s West Highland Way walk
A Pack Free guided 6-day walk
Explore the Scottish Highland’s grand mountains and stunning lochs. Spectacular landscapes of the Scottish Highlands’ towering mountains, open moorlands and stunning lochs make this walk a must-do walking experience. The traditional Scottish West Highland way is a 154km walk beginning on the southern edges of the Highlands at Milngavie near Glasgow, follows the bonny banks of Loch Lomond and passes through the dramatic Ben Nevis Mountain range, ending in Fort William.
Our Pack Free walk showcases the highlights of this famous trail and its magnificent scenery, walking a maximum of 84kms over 6 days with the option to walk some shorter days or opt-out of any days walking and enjoy time at leisure. We have handpicked stunning locations to stay each night, featuring superb properties with amazing views and wonderful dining experiences showcasing local produce and magnificent wines. This is a sensational must-do Scottish walk voted as one of the best great walks in the world.
A Pack Free Walk
Carry as little as your water, camera and lunch
One of the biggest drawcards of this walk is that our guests won’t be asked to carry their clothes or overnight bags for the entire walk. This is a big advantage in you’ll avoid carrying an additional 8kg or more on your back every day. With Life’s An Adventure, carry as little as your water, camera and lunch.
Wow Factor!
Cruise on Loch Lomond
We carefully design our walking experiences to add “Wow” Factors to every tour. These additional activities will enrich your experience and provide a walking experience. A special highlight of your journey will be a cruise on Loch Lomond. There is no better way to experience the natural beauty and serenity of the loch than a cruise.
Oak Tree Inn, Loch Lomond
1 night stay
Situated on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond our accommodation for our first night is at the superb Oak Tree Inn. Enjoy the warm hospitality of this award-winning Country Inn ideally located in the centre of Balmaha village and close to the shores of the Loch. The Inn features a superb bar and restaurant under the shade of a magnificent 500 year old oak tree where you might be tempted to try the famous Scottish haggis!. The Inn features traditional ensuited rooms with Scottish decor, with some rooms in separate cottages.
Ardlui Hotel, Loch Lomond
1 night stay
The Ardlui Hotel lies on the northern banks of Loch Lomond showcasing magnificent views of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. When we arrive at the loch we raise a flag on the far side of the shores to alert our hosts we are ready to be picked up. From here we transfer across the lake by boat to our accommodation. Enjoy time at this family-run hotel with its homely atmosphere featuring the charming Loch View restaurant and 2 bars and large outdoor decks to take in the stunning views. The Ardlui Hotel is also a Whisky Ambassador Hotel offering a large range of authentic Scottish whiskies (own expense). In the evening, enjoy wonderful meals in the restaurant featuring local fare served with complimentary wines.
Bridge of Orchy Hotel
1 night stay
Nestled in a tiny hamlet by the river and near the Bridge of Orchy, lies our accommodation for night two, the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. Located amidst the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands this old Victorian style hotel offers a relaxing, rural location and warm hospitality. Guests will love the mix of old 19th century charm and modern facilities with ensuited rooms decorated with traditional style and overlooking the countryside.
Head Chef David Hetherington creates wonderful evening meals featuring seasonal Scottish ingredients, supplied by local farmers and growers, local suppliers and farmers. Of course wines are included to enjoy with dinner.
Kinghouse Hotel. Glencoe
2 nights stay
In the heart of the mountains against a backdrop of outstanding natural beauty lies the iconic Kinghouse Hotel. With a documented history dating back to the 17th century, the Kingshouse Hotel is said to be one of Scotland’s oldest licensed inns. Today the Kingshouse has been renovated and redesigned to blend in with its surroundings and fully upgraded with the latest modern facilities and stylish ensuited rooms. Relax in the spacious lounge and bar areas enjoying panoramic views of the Highlands of Scotland. In the evenings dine in the stylish Kinghouse Restaurant offering epic 270 degree views over the Glencoe Valley, a feast for both the eyes and taste buds.
Flexible and Personalised Tours
We have designed our walks to be flexible as we understand each person is different. Guests have the choice of longer or shorter walking days and also the freedom to opt-out of any day’s walking and enjoy free time to explore the towns we visit en-route. All tours are small and intimate with a maximum group size of 12 people. However, if you have a bigger group please contact us for details.
Superb Guides
Guides are essential in delivering the ultimate walking experience. Our tours are accompanied by two guides. You’ll be accompanied by a local guide who has a passion and enthusiasm for the area and a second host guide who will meet you in London and accompany you for the entire trip delivering a world-class walk.
Fabulous meals featuring local produce
During your walking experience, you will indulge in sensational high-quality produce that makes the region unique, you maybe even brave enough to try the famous haggis! We pride ourselves on supporting local businesses and producers and your evenings will often be spent savouring delicious cuisine in local restaurants, perfectly matched with local wines. For example, renowned Head Chef David Hetherington at the Bridge of Orchy hotel creates wonderful evening meals featuring seasonal Scottish ingredients, supplied by local farmers and growers.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why Choose Us
Tour Itinerary
When you walk with Life’s An Adventure you can be sure that our aim is to deliver a tour beyond your expectations. When comparing other tours in this region be sure you check that you don’t you have to carry your own gear, you don’t have to camp and that your accommodation is not a long distance from where you are walking. We believe our tours deliver exceptional value for money, with all the creature comforts you are after.
Your 6 day walking holiday includes:
- Pack Free fully supported walk with no heavy packs to carry
- 1 night accommodation at the Oak Tree Inn on Loch Lomond
- 1 night accommodation at lakefront at Ardlui, Loch Lomond
- 1 night accommodation at the superb Bridge of Orchy Hotel
- 2 night accommodation at the luxurious Kinghouse Hotel. Glencoe
- 6 delicious lunches
- Restaurant dinners every evening featuring local produce
- Complimentary wines with evening meals
- Cruise on Loch Lomond
- 5 x Hot and cold breakfasts
- Professional and passionate guides
- Return transfers to and from Glasgow
Guests will be required to fly into Glasgow the day prior to the tour.
Meet your guides in the foyer of the Malmaison Hotel in Glasgow. This morning we drive from Glasgow to the start of our walk. The West Highland Way officially starts at Milngavie on the northern outskirts of Glasgow. We will stop here for photos and to pick up lunches but will continue on to the small historic town of Drymen to start our great walk. On leaving Drymen, we join the West Highland Way trail as it veers away from the road and heads towards Conic Hill. The view from Conic Hill is world-class, and your first taste of the epic landscapes you will experience on the West Highland Way. Below you, stretching across the world-famous Loch Lomond, are a chain of islands that mark the highland boundary fault, the literal threshold between the lowlands and the highlands of Scotland. After tearing yourself away from the views of Loch Lomond you descend into the tiny village of Balmaha. In the afternoon we join a boat cruise on stunning Loch Lomond to the island of Inchcailloch, where we take a short walk around this beautiful island. Around this area, keep a lookout for Ospreys, diving into the loch after fish.
Later we check into our accommodation at the charming Oak Tree Inn. Set on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond, this property is ideally located next to the loch and in the centre of the village centre. Tonight enjoy dinner in the Inn’s superb restaurant featuring local Scottish cuisine served with superb wines. You may even be brave to try the famous Scottish Haggis!
Easier Option: For those that want a shorter walk today. Enjoy an 8km walk is available today to Rowardennan.
After a hearty breakfast, we start our walk from Balmaha. This is a day of interesting walking along the ‘bonnie banks of Loch Lomond from Balmaha to Inversaid. The Loch is the largest area of fresh water in Britain and is almost 40km long and up to 190m deep. Enjoy views of the loch and beautiful scenery dominated by water and woodland gives way to the rocky fells and mountain views of the Highlands and Ben Lomond Mountain. Once we arrive at Inversaid we enjoy refreshments at the local pub.
Afterwards we catch the ferry across to Inveruglas before being transferred the short distance to our accommodation. Tonight we stay at the Ardlui Hotel on the northern banks of Loch Lomond. This charming hotel has a superb location with majestic views down Loch Lomond. Tonight enjoy our meal in the restaurant accompanied by superb wines.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring back across the water. From here we drive north and enjoy a short stop at the world-famous Drovers Inn. This reputedly-haunted pub is an eccentric mix of old furniture, stuffed animals and pieces of armour all in a lively hotel.
Today its nearly 16kms of mostly level walking along the worn, cobbled surface of the old military road surrounded by wonderful mountain scenery. For much of its route the trail makes use of historical lines of communication, in particular droving and military roads. The growth of cattle rearing in the Highlands in the 17th and 18th centuries created a network of drove roads through the mountains. Many of the old Inns sprang up at this time to provide accommodation for the drovers and grazing for the animals.
Tonight our accommodation is at the charming Bridge of Orchy Hotel. This hotel is nestled in a tiny hamlet by the river and near the famous Bridge of Orchy. Enjoy dinner created by Head Chef David Hetherington featuring produce from local farmers.
After a hearty breakfast we head out for our day’s walking adventure. Today’s walk takes us from the Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse. We traverse the Rannoch Moor, the largest undeveloped wilderness area in the whole of Britain. This remote landscape composed of boggy moorlands, lochans, rivers, and rocky outcrops supports a variety of flora and fauna including curlews, grouse and red deer. It’s known as the remotest and wildest section of the whole Way. We arrive at our accommodation at the iconic Kingshouse Hotel. Surrounded by dramatic mountains, the hotel has a backdrop of outstanding natural beauty. Relax by the cosy fires as you soak up the sensational views from the lounge and dining room areas. Tonight dine in the stylish Kingshouse Restaurant indulging in sensational cuisine and perfectly matched wines.
Easier Option: Guests that are after an easier day can be transported by our vehicle to Altnafeadh and walk 9km. (includes the Devils Staircase)
After breakfast, we head out for our day’s walk. This stretch gives spectacular walking across inspiring mountainous terrain. After a gentle start walking towards the Glencoe hills we begin our climb to the highest point of the West Highland Way, The Devils Staircase. This ascent of almost 260m is not as hard of the name suggests. It is believed to have been named by soldiers who had to carve this sinuous military road up the hillside in the 1750s. We follow the trail as it climbs to the pass (548m) where there are views over the Glencoe peaks and, in good weather, north towards Ben Nevis. From the top, it’s a long descent across rugged mountainside and then on a rather steep track down to Kinlochleven, a more modern village set amidst dramatic Highland scenery. But after a day walking around Glencoe it seems essential to finish with refreshments at the Boots Bar of the famous Clachaig Inn.
Afterwards we return to our accommodation at the superb Kinghouse Hotel for the evening for dinner in the restaurant served with wine.
After breakfast, we transfer to the start of our last walk. Today’s walk takes us within sight of Britain’s tallest mountain Ben Nevis. We will pass locations famous for the film Braveheart with Mel Gibson, on our way to the village of Glen Nevis. Here we will have our final celebratory lunch at the Ben Nevis Inn. Afterwards, we head to Fort William which has a trail endpoint with sculpture in its main pedestrian street where we can take some final group photos and enjoy some time to shop for souvenirs in the quaint shops. From here we transfer back to Glasgow (2.5 hours drive) where you can be dropped back at the hotel at approximately 6.00pm. The end of a remarkable journey.
Tour Availability
We run regular monthly tours from June to September every year. We will also consider opening up a new departure date if we have enough demand. Email us at walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
NEXT DEPARTURE 19th JUNE 2024
PRIVATE GROUPS:
Date of your choice is available for groups of 8 -12 people. Subject to availability.
Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
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INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS:
Please note your tour price does not include flights to / from the countries visited. We are offering our clients a service to book their international flights and any other travel plans during their holiday. If you would like our Flights Specialist to organise these requirements, please email us at flights@lifesanadventure.com.au with your requirements.
Tour Prices
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2024 Departures
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Prices in Australian Dollars NEXT SEASON’S DEPARTURES FIRST TIME PASSENGERS: TRAVELLED WITH Spot Special prices available on specific departures when you book and pay in full at time of booking. Offer ends until sold out – limited spots available! See departure dates tab for specific dates. Normal Price requires $500 deposit only, with final payments due 12 weeks prior. Past passengers $100 extra saving also available on normal priced fares. Based on twin share – see details about Single Supplement and upgrade extras. See full ticket conditions below under Discount information. |
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SOLO TRAVELLERS SOLO TRAVELLERS _____________________ TRAVEL INSURANCE |
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Private Group Prices
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Prices in Australian Dollars PRIVATE GROUPS Departure date of your choice PRICES Departure date of your choice is subjective to availability. A minimum group size of 10 required. Prices are equal to Past Travellers’ discounted rates. Additional Past Traveller’s’ discount not available for groups. Based on twin share – see details about Single Supplement and upgrade extras. |
Discount Information
PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNT: Those who have travelled with Life’s An Adventure previously, receive a past passenger discount of $100. This discount will automatically be deducted from future bookings when you book online using the same email address used for past bookings.
EARLYBIRD CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations are not permitted for Earlybird Deals or Spot Specials, however, transfers to another date are permitted 13 weeks or more prior to departure. We advise taking out travel insurance, in case unexpected circumstances prior to the trip, prevent you from joining this tour. Early bird or Spot Special discounts cannot be used in conjunction with another offer. To receive these special discounts, full payment must be made at the time of initial booking.
Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is compulsory for all international bookings. Travel Insurance covers items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc. We have partnered with Cover-More to provide travel insurance to our guests. To get a quote or purchase travel insurance directly with them CLICK HERE .
Additional Information
- Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
- A deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
- Note: If you are booking within 90 days of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
- Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
- Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
- We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc.
Booking Terms and Conditions
Before you book please read our Booking Terms and Conditions. Click here
Cancellation Policy and Conditions of Travel
Click here to view Cancellation Policy and Conditions of Travel.
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