West Highland Way: Kingshouse - Kinlochleven 8 Miles
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
The weather around Glen Coe and Kingshouse remained cloudy hiding much of the scenery while climbing the Devil’s Staircase.
Devil’s Staircase
I’d be lying if I said the Devils Staircase was easy but it’s not as bad as the name would suggest. It’s steep but the paths are good making navigation easy even in poor weather. Those attempting this in the Snow should have crampons, an ice axe and know how to use them.
The weather changes quickly up here
The summit is marked with a large cairn and from here the West Highland Way decends torwards Kinlochleven.
Kinlochleven is a large town which expanded as a result of the Aluminium smelter, which is now housed by a local brewery and ice climbing centre. Kinlochleven is typical industrial town surrounded by some of Scotlands best mountains, so it’s a good base for exploring this part of the highlands.
The local campsite is also the local youth hostel and provides good facilities including a drying room and warm showers. So if you got soaked coming over the Devil’s Staircase then this is a good place to stay.
If 8 miles is too short there is a great wild camping area at Lairigmor Ruin which is another 5 miles from Kinlochleven.