Hiking the West Highland Way | 20 Top Tips & Advice

[@jungggledave]

Tip 21: When you get to Glencoe Mountain Resort, take the ski-lift up to the top. It runs all year round and the views are amazing.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Fantastic tip - wish I had known that! Thanks for sharing Dave.

[@davidalexander287]

I turned left after Ba Bridge leaving the trail and walked up to the Plateau Cafe. A lo lovely walk and then followed the chair lift down.

[@meikusje]

Little extra tip for resupplying in Tyndrum: go to Brodies Mini Market first, then get the stuff you couldn't find there from the Green Welly Shop. They stock a lot of the same stuff, and the mini market is cheaper, and probably needs your patronage more than the Green Welly Shop.

[@rodgermann8365]

This is a great video for anyone thinking of doing the WHW. I know a lot of people will camp at Kinghouses but if you’ve got a few more miles in you that day I recommend making a start up Devil’s Staircase as there’s a super little wild camp spot next to a stream just off the path - but maybe don’t tell everyone 🤫

[@e.k.4508]

Thx for the tip! Would that be just on the east side of the little woodland area, where the Staircase is marked in G. Maps?

[@Anthonysaudiojournal]

Just did a bus tour of Scotland and the highlands. I kept seeing backpackers along the route and being a backpacker myself, wondered what trail they were on. Now I've got the West Highland Way on my bucket list. Thanks for the motivation and some nice tips for my planning.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@e.k.4508]

Excellent tips and well presented! About tip 13, collect water from the streams with a filter: please be aware of viruses, especially Norovirus. The WHW is known to have infested water streams and many people end up having to quit bc they got too sick. I learned that the hard way. There are only 2 anti-virus filters available (as far as I know): Pure Clear Water and Grail. The first is lightweight. They're both good. Your alternative are water tablets, but that takes a long time for every bottle. And the water doesn't taste so good

[@e.k.4508]

So please everyone do what you need to do for nr 2 at least 60 meters from any water source 😅

[@keithcarper8809]

Great tips from an experienced, intelligent and thoughtful hiker. Thanks, Tink!

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

So kind of you to say so Keith - thank you as always 😊

[@chrisholt2474]

Great information to help my research for my WHW walk, solo in April 2024, thank you.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@moraggunn1960]

Your video is excellent. I appreciate the supportive info. You delivery spot on. Thank you.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

I appreciate that! Thank you 😊

[@m6a3s]

Some good tips there Mary, here`s another. For those not arriving by train I have parked at Milngavie train station on two occasions . The first time I asked in the station if there was a charge and was told it`s free and acceptable if catching the train back from Fort William. I have also parked in the West End car park in Fort William, caught the train down to Milngavie and walked back to the car.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for sharing!

[@walker2837]

Some very useful tips. Thanks.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robinthebobin6537]

Brilliant video! I did the WHW as my first long distance hike in 2022 as a keen 19 year old, wildcamping for the first time and it was fantastic! A great introduction to longer distance walks, whether you plan on going onto tougher walking/mountaineering, or you're already an experienced thru-hiker. A note on the dietary requirements thing - I'm vegan and I found it pretty decent everywhere, so I can reassure veggies and vegans that it's pretty good on the trail. Can highly recommend the Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha, where I had an absolutely awesome chickpea curry!

[@SolracFS]

these are so great, cheers!

[@howardmcknight9773]

I agree with everyone of your tips Mary, excellent advice for anyone thinking of doing the walk, when we did the walk in 2019 we used baggage transfer and they picked us up at Glasgow Railway Station, took us to our accommodation at Milngavie, moved our bags daily and picked us up at our accommodation at Fort William and took us back to Glasgow Railway Station at the end and I think it was about £60 or just over for everything which I thought was very reasonable compared to what other baggage transfer companies charge on other long distance routes.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks Howard! Yes that's a great service at a very reasonable price for sure.

[@tracykooken2606]

good advice Mary !!!!!!!!!!!!! u can b my tour guide any time !!!!!!!!!

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much Tracy 😊

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Thank you so much for all the tips. You are really good at doing utube. Awesome.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much 💚

[@anitavincent7447]

I unfortunately doubt I will ever be hiking this trail but this was an excellent video with great tips for those who will. So very different than the PCT in most aspects (rain, terrain, accommodation possibilities, etc) but breathtakingly beautiful. Thank you Mary, you are an “InterNational” treasure for sure. 🙏🏻🥰👏🏻

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Such kind words Anita, thank you very much ☺️

[@martinnorth2680]

Very informative and well presented

[@robinsmith9734]

Mary just enjoyed seeing and hearing your encouraging voice again, I am very familiar with Scotland having worked/climbed/ski-instructed from the end of 1970 to 1986/87, and then went to the Shetlands and made plans to go home (my 2nd!) to Norway. My ancestors came from the Elgin region. In Aviemore, in winter, I used to walk home after work, 8 miles through the forest to Carrbridge, my camera catching the magic of an ancient landscape. My love for Monroes, Donalds, and Grahams reached 45, and I would love to do more. I may need another life though. Arohanui Robin

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for your comment Robin. Your commute sounds wonderful - but a long way every day!

[@Flurb_Xray]

Thanks for the summary! Will take in account.

[@susanmansfield8025]

Great tips Mary. Practical and straightforward. Loved it! x

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much!

[@shawndyer8140]

Thank you for sharing.

[@SunnyGlasgow]

great video, Mary, thanks very much 👍

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

So glad you enjoyed it Tony 😁

[@Ali-ld7vd]

You made that so enjoyable! Thanks for the tips. Very useful.

[@davidalexander287]

It's a great video and very informative .

[@NickGoesHiking]

Great tips thank you, doing the whw for the first time end of April this year, I'll be solo too so this helped settle some nerves, off to watch your whw video now 😊

[@bipedal_shenanigans]

Second watch of the video as learnt something new, big thanks for sharing

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much for watching..twice 😁

[@hnahler]

Excellent tip on footwear: comfort is priority. Those who love to munch the miles, your feet/legs are in for a pounding. Once you have survived the slow slog from Ptarmigan Lodge to Beinglas camp site, you have pretty much gravel roads all the way. In a couple of weeks, I will go another time on the WHW. This time with comfortable, well-cushioned trail runners. I have done it in light hiking boots as well as in light-weight trail runners. No matter, it has been very tough on my feet, shins and knees.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Hope you had another amazing hike on the WHW!

[@hnahler]

@@MarysOutdoorAdventures , I did. While joints and muscles were okay, there isn't much that can prevent blisters with five days of rain and most of the paths having turned into streams. It was blister management rather than prevention. I met 4! other WHW hikers, all experienced as you would expect at this time of year, and all battling with blisters.

[@Puffball-ll1ly]

That was usefull thanks planning to do in early May 🙂

[@paulpurves484]

Brilliant video super helpful.😊

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Glad it was helpful Snapper!

[@balthoy]

Great video and solid tips!

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thank you so much!

[@timothysebastian6185]

What a great resource! 👍

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

So pleased you think so, thank you!

[@JimBobele]

Oh yes, Conic Hill, I experienced the same views as you did when I walked the WHW last year. Actually the whole trip was a little but rainy but still very, very beautiful. But therefore I didn't have any problems with the midges since these little monsters don't fly during wind and rain ;-) Safe travels

[@Wholesomeday]

This was really helpful thanks, especially good to note the wild camping around Loch Lomond.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Really pleased to hear you found it helpful!

[@Antarmy2]

Great advice Mary👍

[@KristinaAdventures]

thanks for sharing this video, really fun to watch! gave so much great advice that ill use on my next adventure forsure! looking forward to see more content 🤗

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much Kristina!

[@KristinaAdventures]

@@MarysOutdoorAdventures you're very welcome 😇

[@dougieranger]

Some excellent tips here. Subbed your channel Mary.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much!

[@joe4129]

Thank you mary for this vidéo

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

You’re welcome 😁

[@dodge_walks]

Planning the WHW this year if I can get my knee fixed after busting it on the two moors way! Great video with lots of good advise

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

So glad you found it helpful and I hope you a speedy recovery with your knee. Have an amazing hike on the WHW - you will love it!

[@BucyTV]

Beautiful scenery. Love it. Thanks for sharing. New subscriber here:)

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks for the sub!

[@marydowcett7764]

Thank you!! Great video.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks Mary 😊

[@hnahler]

A small caveat on re-supplies, campsites, pubs/restaurants. The tourist season is April/Easter to late September/early October. Outside most places are closed. So, a bit more planning is required for accommodation and food in the shoulder season, March or October. Those going in winter, I assume know what they are doing.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Great point, thanks Hendrik!

[@MaxxSeemov]

Once you get past Bridge of Orchy the road becomes very very rocky and extremely uncomfortable. Even the thickest hiking boots will struggle to protect your soles from the pain and discomfort to come. Bring loads of blister tapes. I much prefer the fun section before the end of Loch Lomond with roots and rock scrambling and will choose that trail 10 times out of 10 than the rocky old military road area. The West Highland Way is still fantastic and gorgeous walk though, and if you are blessed with a good weather, it could easily be one of the best walks you've ever done. 😉

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Well said - nice to hear someone else enjoyed the Loch Lomond bit too!

[@betterdays3249]

Great video, very informative

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much! Glad you found it helpful.

[@shermer75]

This is so useful!! Can you do one for the Pennine Way? 😊

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

So glad you found it useful. I would but I haven’t completed the Pennine Way so wouldn’t feel ‘qualified’ enough to advise on it. I’ve only done sections of it so far…maybe one day 😁

[@saman9592]

I am impressed that you have pronounced Scottish place names correctly 😃 great tips

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Thanks so much Sam, I did my research beforehand 😉

[@hikinginaleakyleftboot]

This is an amazing tips video! Super helpful. I did the WHW in 2019 & I wish I’d known some of these back then! Especially taking waterproofs that are up to the job! I’m going back in August to do it again.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

I'm so glad you found the tips helpful! Have a great adventure in August 😁

[@derekfox5510]

Wonderful video sweetheart that I’m sure will be of great help. It was an incredible trail and I was certainly envious of the other hikers that took advantage of the baggage service 😁😘

[@johnalden5821]

Mary will tell you that in the U.S., we call that kind of hiking "slack-packing." On the long-distance thru hikes like the AT and the PCT, there are similar arrangements available from hiker hostels, but most thru hikers do it only occasionally as a way to make up mileage or to get a relative rest after a string of rough days under the pack. Plus, from the video, it looks like you guys had some really nice campsites.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

I know, those tiny packs 😂 Maybe next time 😘

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Yes it was worth it for the lovely camp spots we got to experience without being tied down to a schedule 😊

[@johnalden5821]

Fantastic video with a lot of great tips and info! With the amount of rain in the area, how do people handle foot care? How did you keep your feet dry without having five pairs of socks? I would be concerned about blisters or even trench foot.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

I think a lot of people tend to wear hiking boots that are waterproof. I didn't keep my feet dry at all in the day when it was raining - I suppose I just 'sucked it up' and gave in to the weather. I did fully dry them out at night though and let them breathe when I could during the day. Luckily it was only a couple of days so I didn't suffer too much with problems afterwards.

[@allencrider]

I found a tick crawling up my eg just yesterday. So I checked and found those tick cards are available in the States.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

😳 Hope you got it out okay!

[@willowgrace3745]

How was hiking it in the Spring? Do you think it’s better in the summer? I’m just curious about the weather and the cold.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

It was wonderful, yes it was chilly on the evenings but worth it to avoid the midges and the trails weren’t as busy 😊

[@FrScottHikes]

Have you heard of a LARQ bottle? I understand they use ultraviolet light to kill all the harmful bacteria in water. I wonder if that would work for the Scotland streams? thanks for the tips. Very helpful.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

No I've never tried them before!

[@franceslockhart3803]

What were the apps that you referred to as useful electronic backup please?

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

OS Maps app 😁

[@neilmarsh3053]

Hi Mary, love your very informative vlogs, what was the other app apart from the OS maps you used on the WHW please ?💐

[@AhmedOsman-ls1hq]

should i get gore tex shoes?

[@andym28]

Its alot more effective to put midge repellent on clothing and don't have exposed skin. Midges in Scotland are getting worse as climate is more humid that past years.

[@carolynbelgum4623]

I have a few questions. 1. The WHW is only part of my trip. Is there someplace in London or Glasgow I can safely store my luggage? 2. Can you get a camping permit when your on the trail & know where you want to camp or do you have to get them in advance? 3. How far off the trail do you need to be to camp? Thank you in advance

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

Hi Carolyn, I can help with the last 2 questions. You can get a camping permit while on trail, but from what I have read it is better to get it in advance as they might be fully booked up. It’s only one night you will need to book as it’s only Loch Lomond you need it. You don’t need to be far from trail to camp, anywhere you find a spot!

[@carolynbelgum4623]

@@MarysOutdoorAdventures thank you so much.

[@marydowcett7764]

👍🎉🌞

[@mattmatthewmatchuu]

how hard is gluten free?

[@shawndyer8140]

Can i use a wheelchair on the route.

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

No, unfortunately it is not wheelchair friendly. I hiked the Great Glen Way back in 2018 and I would say the majority of that is wheelchair friendly! I have videos on my channel of that (I was quite new to filming then though so the videos are a little cringe 🤣) if you wanted to take a look at that as an alternative.

[@millermann123]

Don't go the other direction unless you want to greet 1-2 hundred people a day ^^ It's actually a bit annoying.

[@CraigDroneAdventures]

Brilliant tips! Thank you

[@gillianbooth8225]

Brilliant video thank you 🎉

[@MarysOutdoorAdventures]

You’re welcome 😊