The Route – Train Journeys & Hikes
If you wish you can explore Glasgow before you board your West Highland Line train into the Highlands. The train soon leaves Glasgow behind and delves deep into the wild west coast travelling along the Clyde to Helensburgh, and then north via Garelochead and Loch Long. From there, you pass into a world of deep forests, towering mountains and mirrored lochs as you enter the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
At Ardlui you leave the train to cross the waters of Loch Lomond by ferry and before exploring the Highlands on foot as you follow sections of Scotland’s finest long-distance trail, the West Highland Way. At Crianlarich you look up at the legendary peaks of Ben More, Stob Binnein and Cruach Àrdrain before you follow the old Military Roads through Strathfillan with the remains of its monastery. Near Tyndrum you pass the location of the Battle of Dalrigh and the legendary Lochan of the Lost Sword.
From Tyndrum you can take a day-trip on the Oban Line where the train sweeps along the north edge of Loch Awe, in the shadow of Ben Cruachan. Look out for Kilchurn Castle and the frothing rapids at the Falls of Lora near Connell, before the train makes its way into Oban. The picturesque, bustling port is the gateway to the Isles and known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland.
Back on the West Highland Way you continue north from Tyndrum where the trail enters more remote landscapes and passes underneath the towering peaks Beinn Odhar and Beinn Dorain. At Bridge of Orchy, you have the opportunity to follow the West Highland Way for a few more miles as you pass over the heights of Mam Carraigh into Glen Orchy. Follow the shores of Loch Tulla and the River Orchy back to the railway line.
Journey by train across the picture-perfect Highlands and the remote wilds of Rannoch Moor where you pass the UK’s highest altitude train station in Corrour. Here the tracks float over the peat bog that stretches to the mountains far in the distance on all sides.
A final hike along the Great Glen Way and the bank of the Caledonian Canal brings you into Fort William, the outdoor capital of Scotland, nestled underneath the bulk of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain.
From Fort William you follow the Mallaig line over the iconic curve of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, probably the most famous piece of rail track in the world after it was used by the Harry Potter films as part of the route to Hogwarts. The route to Mallaig takes you past Lochs Eilt, Ailort and Nan Uamh – all starkly beautiful – before arriving at Morar’s sandy shores. The final stretch into Mallaig brings glimpses of the Isle of Skye, which is just a short ferry trip from the port.
Terrain Overview
The part of the West Highland Way you are walking consists for the most part of easy walking on smooth paths and tracks in forests and hillside paths. The trail makes use of some ancient and historic routes of communication, such as military roads, disused railway tracks and drovers’ roads.
The route avoids the high tops and is within the capabilities of most walkers. Total aggregate ascent over the 44km (27 miles) from Ardlui (Ardleish) to Bridge of orchy (including the Loch Tulla loop walk) is approximately 1,350m. There are a number shorter climbs and two slightly steeper sections at Crianlarich and Bridge of Orchy. The highest point on the route is below Kirk Craig, just outside Crianlarich.
The level hike on the Great Glen Way from Gairlochy, near Spean Bridge, to Fort William is on a gravel path beside the Caledonian Canal (a former ‘canal towpath’) as far as Banavie (Neptune’s Staircase). From there it follows quiet roads into Fort William.
Elevation Profile (West Highland Way from Ardlui to Bridge of Orchy)
