Pawmedia Blog

Introduction to the West Highland Way
Packing for the West Highland Way
Glasgow
Milngavie to Conic Hill
Conic Hill to Rowardennan
Rowardennan to Inverarnan
Inverarnan to Tyndrum
Tyndrum to Inveroran
Inveroran to Kingshouse
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
Kinlochleven to Fort William

At Ptarmigan there is the choice of two routes, the official forest track or the loch side route. If you decide to walk the lochside path then it’s worth mentioning that it will add at least an hour onto your journey, but in my opinion you see a lot more from the Lochside than you do on the forest trail.

The lochside path is heavy going and meanders close to the loch shores. In some places the path has totally given way leaving steep drops which could prove dangerous for the less experienced.

Inversnaid Hotel was a big disapointment offering very little for weary walkers. Meals come in the form of a packaged sandwhich, something you would expect from a service station and not from a Hotel. Walkers are hidden away and forced to use an entrance at the rear of the Hotel, almost as if they would prefer not to accommodate Way Walkers at all.

After Inversnaid the path continues to test both your balance and your ankles as you are forced to cross a medley of wet mossy rocks and tree roots.  Despite the terrain the views from the Lochside are fantastic and you get the sense of progress as the Loch begins to narrow.

About 4 miles from Inversnaid the way takes you past Doune Bothy, one of the many FREE camping bothies along the West Higland Way. Bothies offer basic shelter for way walkers and climbers and usually come equipped with an open fire and a sleeping platform.

Doune Bothy

Inside Doune Bothy

Having wild camped for two nights I was in no mood to do it again, I was in dire need of a warm shower and some pub grub.

The Path Leaves Loch Lomond

By the time I reached Beinglas Farm Campsite at Inverarnan I was close to falling over, I could barely put my tent up. This is one destination that nearly all Way walkers seem to stay at and as a result you will probably be reunited with many of the  walkers you have met along the way.

Beinglas Campsite is probably the best campsite I’ve ever stayed on, the owner has clearly thought about the type people using it. The campsite comes equiped with undercover cooking facilities, really warm showers and a great restaurant. You are also withing walking distance of the famous Drovers Inn. Drovers Inn offers great food and entertainment as well as a collection of stuffed beasts.

Drovers Inn