How long does it take to walk the West Highland Way? It depends on fitness levels and what you want to see along the way. Most people take between five and eight days to walk the route, although it is possible to do it in only a few days, or a little longer.
How long does West Highland Way take to walk?
6-8 days
The West Highland Way is generally completed over 6-8 days: depending on fitness levels, time available, and accommodation vacancies. There are a couple of options open to you if you only have 1-2 days and want to do a part of the West Highland Way.
Can a beginner walk the West Highland Way?
Venturing along 96-miles of natural terrain, ascending mountains and descending river beds may seem daunting to those who are unfamiliar with long-distance walking, but the West Highland Way is suitable for everyone, even beginners.
Is the West Highland Way a hard walk?
The West Highland Way hike is a moderate to difficult trail. It starts out with fairly easy, flat sections and becomes more difficult as you journey into the Highlands. The total elevation isn’t very high so you don’t have to be an experienced mountaineer or climber to successfully do the trail.
Can you do the West Highland Way without camping?
Can I do the West Highland Way on my own? Yes! For some people it offers great solitude to undertake the trek on your own, but undoubtedly you will make new friends too by the time you reach Fort William. Most people tend to split the route up into similar sections so you often meet the same people each day.
How many miles should you walk in a day?
Walking is a form of low impact, moderate intensity exercise that has a range of health benefits and few risks. As a result, the CDC recommend that most adults aim for 10,000 steps per day . For most people, this is the equivalent of about 8 kilometers, or 5 miles.
Can you walk the West Highland Way in trainers?
Don’t try to walk the West Highland Way in anything other than walking boots or shoes (there are some good specialist walking shoes on the market, but if you have to choose, go for boots for ankle support and extra waterproof-ness in the inevitable muddy patches!).
How fit do you have to be to do the West Highland Way?
People take on average from five to 10 days (that’s an average of 19 miles or 9.5 miles each day). You need to be able to walk a little further than your longest day before you set out on your WHW multi-day trip. If you are in any doubt about your health, consult your doctor before starting a new fitness challenge.
What is the hardest part of the West Highland Way?
When looking at the map many people think the side of Loch Lomond will be a gentle walk along the shore, however it is the most difficult section of the walk.
Do I need walking poles for West Highland Way?
Walking poles are totally personal preference. However, if you are going to walk with them, make sure the West Highland Way is not your first time. If you discover in the first mile that you hate walking poles, you might be stuck for a further 95 miles with them.
What is the prettiest part of West Highland Way?
Top 5 Highlights of the West Highland Way
- Conic Hill. Between Drymen and Balmaha lies Conic Hill.
- Falls of Falloch. When walking between Inverarnan and Tyndrum, a short detour will reward you with fabulous views of the Falls of Falloch.
- Buachaille Etive Mòr.
- The Devil’s Staircase.
- Glen Nevis.
Are there toilets on the West Highland Way?
Waste bags – Many of the stopping points along the way have toilets and bins, but you must be prepared to bag up any rubbish and carry it with you until you find an appropriate bin or recycling point to dispose of it, so bags for your litter are a must – preferably biodegradable!
What is the most beautiful part of the West Highland Way?
The best part is the north section after Bridge of Orchy to Fort William, especially Glencoe and Devils Staircase. To walk Bridge of Orchy to Fort William takes 16 – 21 hours depending on speed.
Is there phone signal on West Highland Way?
Comfortable walking boots are essential, as is a map of the West Highland Way and a whistle to alert others if you run into problems – there is no mobile phone signal for large stretches of the walk so don’t rely on your phone for route maps, info or keeping in touch.
Do you need cash on West Highland Way?
But, we would suggest you do carry some cash, enough to last a few days and pay for any incidentals for example snacks from shops, tips in bars, or packed lunches, which many B&Bs sell (these are not included in the Macs Adventure packages).
Is West Highland Way worth it?
The West Highland Way is a serious trail so it’s good to have experience hiking long days on rocky terrain and in bad weather. You can walk the West Highland Way between 5 to 10 days, with most folks taking 7 days to complete it.
How far should a 60 year old walk every day?
Generally, older adults in good physical shape walk somewhere between 2,000 and 9,000 steps daily. This translates into walking distances of 1 and 4-1/2 miles respectively.
How far is too far to walk in a day?
If you’re healthy, you can usually walk most of the day without putting much stress on your body. However, there is a limit to how far you can walk and still feel good. If you walk more than 7.4 miles (12 km) in one day, you’ll probably feel tired, sore, and overall just plain worn out.
How far can a human walk in a day?
20 to 30 miles
A trained walker can walk a 26.2-mile marathon in eight hours or less, or walk 20 to 30 miles in a day.
What is the best time of year to walk the West Highland Way?
When to walk. Its location and the high ground means that the West Highland Way is best walked between April and October. Before that you can expect snow and very difficult conditions. Late spring is an especially good time to walk if you want to avoid the dreaded midges who reside in the area.
Can you walk in boots all day?
There is no drawback to wearing work boots or any type of footwear all day, every day IF those work boots or shoes – or whatever they might be – fit you correctly. In other words, a pair of work boots that are ergonomically correct for you and your feet, you can wear them all day, every day without issues.