Hints for hiking the west highland way

I did the same hiking trail as a noob: here are some advices.

• You can book a pitch on the Sallochy campsite, a semi-formal campsite on the banks of Loch Lomond between Drymen and Rowardennan. Camping on the banks of Loch Lomond is forbidden elsewhere. Booking the pitch online ensures that you get a pitch and do it in advance, because this campsite is great, featuring a beautiful sight on the lake. See here and there. The only trouble is that it adds a few kilometers to Inverarnan.

• Stop at the tourism office at Milngavie: they sell a waterproof footprint map dedicated to the West HighLand Way, featuring the campsites and accomodations.

• Stop at the White Corrie Ski Area on your way from Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse: the station is open in the summer (mountain bikes...) and they sell hot food (hamburgers). There is no campsite at Bridge of Orchy, the nearest campsite is 2 miles away, at Inveroran (just a grass field near a small river). It seems that a campsite opened at the Ski station.

• You will find some midges on your way ! See here for a few advices. On the firt day at Milngavie, i wondered why they were trying to sell stinky candles. I bought one a few days later and i did not find it so effective...

• Take 2 1.5L water bottles with you as you leave any campsite. Make sure that you only have useful stuffs in your backpack and make it as light as possible. For instance, you won't need a second pair of shoes to feel confortable at the campsite. But a firt-aid kit may be useful: make sure you know how to use it! You can enjoy granola bars and dehydrated soups during breaks. These are standard advices for any trips.

• You won't find pure water neither at the Glengoyne Distillery near Carbeth, nor at the Ben Nevis Distillery at Fort William.

I really enjoyed that trail and I hope you will!

posted almost 8 years ago

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System‭

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Wild camping is allowed most places but due to car drivers leaving rubbish it's not allowed near the road at Loch Lomond in summer.

Wishingwell Farmhouse campsite, Gartness and Drymen Farm campsite are both closed.(according to Google Maps)

Shops at Balmaha, Loch Lomond.

There are a few campsites besides Loch Lomond. Salachy Campsite is £5 which is the cheapest. But the campsite just before it is £7 and has much better facilities, including showers.

Rowchoish Bothy - good bothy worth using.

Doune Bothy - very poor condition, full of trash, don't use.

Beinglas Farm is a good campsite with a restaurant with food and beer.

At Tyndrum is a shop. Check the prices when buying, especially the fruit. Make sure you get a receipt.

There is a small shop at the Strathfillan Wigwams Campsite. I bought a snack there (but didn't stay).

There is a permitted wild camping on the north side of the bridge at the Bridge of Orchy but being near the road had noisy people. The Hotel has a restaurant and bar.

The route passes the Inveroran Hotel, food and beer. Wild camping.

Free camping at the Kingshouse Hotel. With beer and restaurant.

Kinlochleven - Has a good Coop Supermarket. I stayed at the Macdonald Hotel's camp site. Good and cheap.

Fort William - Has a large supermarket. Backstreet Hostel, good for town centre. Calluna Hostel - further away but a bit nicer.

Midges - get a midge head net. Creams will keep away a few. The burning coils keep away a few. But when there are lots (as there will be in July at sunset and sunrise) you'll need a head net.

posted almost 8 years ago

CC BY-SA 3.0

QuentinUK‭

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