The West Highland Way Day 3: Inversnaid – Crianlarich

Hiking 154 km from Milngavie to Fort William, Scotland

Day 3: Inversnaid – Crianlarich (24.4 km)

Today our trip would take us from the rocky shoreline of Loch Lomond to the higher grounds in Crianlarich. Walking on these rocks close to the water, with the sound of burling deer in the forest, is great to start the day but your average speed is very low. The first 10 km took us 4 hours. In the afternoon the sun started to shine (we still did not encounter the famous “horizontal rain”). Spirit was good after we had a big beef stew during lunch in Beinglas Farm Campsite to walk the last 10 miles to Crianlarich. Because our first 10 km took so long, we were a bit behind schedule and had to walk the last part in the dark. Luckily we had good flashlights (a must) to walk the last part in a dark forest. After a 12 hour walk a pint never tasted so good!

Tips and Tricks
• We were quite surprised that places could consist of only one house / hotel. We were prepared with enough food and water but don’t let this fact suprise you.

Check the official West Highland Way website for more tips and tricks.

<Day 2   Day 4>

The West Highland Way Day 2: Balmaha – Inversnaid

Hiking 154 km from Milngavie to Fort William, Scotland

Day 2: Balmaha – Rowardennan – Inversnaid (24.4 km)

After a clear, cold night we woke up with the sound of singing birds and a rising sun. While we were packing, a ‘fresh’ spaghetti bolognese was cooking to provide us with enough energy for the next part in this amazing trail. With the sun shining we started the day with a climb to 600 meters. From here we had a spectacular view over Loch Lomond and it’s islands, the largest inland stretch of water in Great Britain. During the descent we came through a mesmerizing forest just before we came to the shore of the Loch (lake). Close to the shore it felt like we were walking through some kind of lost world, with small trees, fern and these abandoned small beaches with crystal clear water. Just outside the restricted camping area we set camp in a pitch dark forest. With burling deer welcoming us, we fell asleep after another amazing day.

Tips and Tricks

• We missed a small blinking (bike-)light, to place in a tree. This to warn other walkers/animals in the pitch dark forest.

Check the official West Highland Way website for more tips and tricks.

<Day 1   Day 3>

The West Highland Way Day 1: Milngavie – Balmaha

Hiking 154 km from Milngavie to Fort William, Scotland

As an outdoor-fan the West Highland Way was on my wish-list for a long time. From 13 -19 October the four of us walked this magnificent trail from starting point Milngavie to Fort William. To walk, camp and fully enjoy the beautiful Scottish surroundings. Although we had some concern because of the notorious wet climate in the western Highlands. As the wiki-page states: “one of the wettest places in Europe with annual rainfall up to 4,577 mm“. I guess all our prayers to the single-malt Gods were not for nothing, the little rain that fell was mostly during the night. During the days we had lots of sunshine, only one morning some light drizzle.
This post will be the first of 6. Each post contains a short video. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to share.

Day 1: Milngavie – Drymen – Balmaha (30.8 km)

We took an early train from Glasgow to Milngavie. From there we started our journey up north. Idea was to walk up to Balmaha. Because wild-camping is restricted between Balmaha and Rowardennan, from the 1st April to the 31st of October, we made camp 4 km before the initial endpoint. From there we had a magnificent view over the beginning of Loch Lomond after the first day of walking. While enjoying some warm food, a small fire and another prayer to a Single Malt God we slept under a clear sky full of stars.

Tips and Tricks

• Use the timings instead of distance to plan your walks. You won’t get an average speed of 5 km/h.

Check the official West Highland Way website for more tips and tricks.

Check Out: Day 2