Thursday 2nd June. Best foot forward Milngavie
Friday 3rd June. Oak Tree Inn Balmaha
Saturday 4th June. Inversnaid Bunkhouse
Sunday 5thJune. Glenardran House Crianlarich
Monday 6th June. West Highland Way Sleeper Bridge of Orchy
Tuesday 7th June. Kings House Hotel Glencoe
Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th & Fri 10th June. Guisachan House Fort William
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Itinerary and Distances
Thur 2 Jun - Home to Milngavie
Fri 3 Jun - Milngavie to Balmaha 20 miles
Sat 4 Jun - Balmaha to Inversnaid 14 miles
Sun 5 Jun - Inversnaid to Crianlarich 13 miles
Mon 6 Jun - Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy 13 miles
Tue 7 Jun - Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse 13 miles
Wed 8 Jun - Kingshouse to Fort William 22 miles
Thur 9 Jun - Jacobite Train
Fri 10 Jun - Climb Ben Nevis
Sat 11 Jun - Fort William to Home (for Anita - Julia and Kevin are going on to Edinburgh for a few days)
Fri 3 Jun - Milngavie to Balmaha 20 miles
Sat 4 Jun - Balmaha to Inversnaid 14 miles
Sun 5 Jun - Inversnaid to Crianlarich 13 miles
Mon 6 Jun - Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy 13 miles
Tue 7 Jun - Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse 13 miles
Wed 8 Jun - Kingshouse to Fort William 22 miles
Thur 9 Jun - Jacobite Train
Fri 10 Jun - Climb Ben Nevis
Sat 11 Jun - Fort William to Home (for Anita - Julia and Kevin are going on to Edinburgh for a few days)
Detailed but Brief Description
Milngavie to Carbeth
Summary:
Distance / Time: 5 miles (8 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 148 m
•Total Descent: 69 m
•Max Height: 130 m
•Terrain: A relatively simple start to the Way on footpaths, tracks and lanes with no major climbs.
•Places of Interest: Mugdock Country Park
The official start of the West Highland Way is a granite obelisk in Douglas Street, Milngavie (NS 553 744).
Carbeth to Drymen
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 271 m
•Total Descent: 238 m
•Max Height: 163 m
•Terrain: A relatively simple stage on footpaths, minor roads and made up path on dismantled railway trackbed.
•Places of Interest: Standing stones, Duntreath Castle, Glengoyne Distillery.
Drymen to Balmaha
Summary
•Distance / Time: 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 to 5 hours (via Conic Hill)
•Total Ascent: 292 m (via Conic Hill)
•Total Descent: 437 m (via Conic Hill)
•Max Height: 310 m (via Conic Hill)
•Terrain: Good paths or tracks most of the way. The only significant ascent being the section of the route over Conic Hill near Balmaha. There is a low level alternative.
•Places of Interest: Boat trips are available from Balmaha to Inchcailloch, part of Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. Visitors' Centre at Balmaha car park.
Balmaha to Rowardennan
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 373 m
•Total Descent: 378 m
•Max Height: 88 m
•Terrain: Good paths or tracks most of the way but can be twisty and undulating in places. Most of the route runs between the road and the shore of Loch Lomond. Short sections on minor roads.
•Places of Interest: Boat trips are available from Balmaha to Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond. Visitors Centre at Balmaha car park. Ben Lomond.
Rowardennan to Inversnaid
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 544 m
•Total Descent: 547 m
•Max Height: 149 m
•Terrain: This stretch is mostly forestry track following the eastern shore of Loch Lomond with occasional diversions onto a rocky path with crags and boulders.
•Places of Interest: Rob Roy’s Prison, RSPB reserve.
Inversnaid to Inverarnan
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 387 m
•Total Descent: 150 m
•Max Height: 252 m
•Terrain: This is by far the roughest section of the Way, where the path makes a tortuous route along the side of Loch Lomond with many ups and downs. A hard walk but the scenery is superb.
•Places of Interest: Rob Roy’s Cave
Inverarnan to Crianlarich
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 374 m
•Total Descent: 150 m
•Max Height: 252 m
•Terrain: The path and tacks are mainly well-surfaced, much of the way consists of an old military road. Moderate ascents and descents. The way bypasses Crianlarich to the west, but a spur path leads into the village, the halfway point on the route.
•Places of Interest: Grey mares tail (waterfall), The Falls of Falloch.
Crianlarich to Tyndrum
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 248 m
•Total Descent: 263 m
•Max Height: 334 m
•Terrain: Good paths and tracks with some moderate ascent and descent, but nothing unduly difficult and nowhere far from services. A straightforward day of glen and low pass walking amid outstanding mountain scenery.
•Places of Interest: St Fillans Chapel, (remains) it was raised to a Priory by Robert the Bruce in 1318 and thereafter enjoyed some measure of privilege and protection from the kings of Scotland.
Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 183 m
•Total Descent: 254 m
•Max Height: 334 m
•Terrain: Good paths and tracks with some moderate ascent and descent, but nothing unduly difficult and nowhere far from services. A straightforward day of glen and low pass walking amid outstanding mountain scenery.
Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 to 3 hours
•Total Ascent: 175 m
•Total Descent: 164 m
•Max Height: 323 m
•Terrain: This is a short, straightforward stage which acts as an introduction to the wilderness of Rannoch Moor.
Inveroran to Kingshouse
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 10 miles (16 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 336 m
•Total Descent: 270 m
•Max Height: 446 m
•Terrain: The surface is mainly good underfoot but on Rannoch Moor you are highly exposed in bad weather. There is no shelter of any kind available until you reach the White Corries ski centre (12 km) The scenery is spectacular but if conditions are poor, this can be a very tough stage of the Way.
•Places of Interest: Glen Coe Ski Centre
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 423 m
•Total Descent: 659 m
•Max Height: 547 m
•Terrain: The surfaces are mainly good but you are very highly exposed at its highest point you are at 550m before a long descent down to Kinlochleven, although short its still a hard stage in bad weather.
•Places of Interest: The Devils Staircase. At 550m (1850ft) this is the highest point along the way. The Ice Factor (National ice climbing centre) Kinlochleven
Kinlochleven to Fort William
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 16 miles (24 km) / 7 to 8 hours
•Total Ascent: 735 m
•Total Descent: 737 m
•Max Height: 333 m
•Terrain: Very good paths at this last stage, there is a steep climb out of Kinlochleven, then there is no more serious gradients, the path through Nevis Forest is a bit rough then on to some tarmac descending down into Fort William.
•Places of Interest: The way goes through Lairigmor, this section of the walk boasts 11 Munros (Mountains over 3000feet).
Summary:
Distance / Time: 5 miles (8 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 148 m
•Total Descent: 69 m
•Max Height: 130 m
•Terrain: A relatively simple start to the Way on footpaths, tracks and lanes with no major climbs.
•Places of Interest: Mugdock Country Park
The official start of the West Highland Way is a granite obelisk in Douglas Street, Milngavie (NS 553 744).
Carbeth to Drymen
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 271 m
•Total Descent: 238 m
•Max Height: 163 m
•Terrain: A relatively simple stage on footpaths, minor roads and made up path on dismantled railway trackbed.
•Places of Interest: Standing stones, Duntreath Castle, Glengoyne Distillery.
Drymen to Balmaha
Summary
•Distance / Time: 8 miles (12.8 km) / 4 to 5 hours (via Conic Hill)
•Total Ascent: 292 m (via Conic Hill)
•Total Descent: 437 m (via Conic Hill)
•Max Height: 310 m (via Conic Hill)
•Terrain: Good paths or tracks most of the way. The only significant ascent being the section of the route over Conic Hill near Balmaha. There is a low level alternative.
•Places of Interest: Boat trips are available from Balmaha to Inchcailloch, part of Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. Visitors' Centre at Balmaha car park.
Balmaha to Rowardennan
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 373 m
•Total Descent: 378 m
•Max Height: 88 m
•Terrain: Good paths or tracks most of the way but can be twisty and undulating in places. Most of the route runs between the road and the shore of Loch Lomond. Short sections on minor roads.
•Places of Interest: Boat trips are available from Balmaha to Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond. Visitors Centre at Balmaha car park. Ben Lomond.
Rowardennan to Inversnaid
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 544 m
•Total Descent: 547 m
•Max Height: 149 m
•Terrain: This stretch is mostly forestry track following the eastern shore of Loch Lomond with occasional diversions onto a rocky path with crags and boulders.
•Places of Interest: Rob Roy’s Prison, RSPB reserve.
Inversnaid to Inverarnan
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 387 m
•Total Descent: 150 m
•Max Height: 252 m
•Terrain: This is by far the roughest section of the Way, where the path makes a tortuous route along the side of Loch Lomond with many ups and downs. A hard walk but the scenery is superb.
•Places of Interest: Rob Roy’s Cave
Inverarnan to Crianlarich
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 374 m
•Total Descent: 150 m
•Max Height: 252 m
•Terrain: The path and tacks are mainly well-surfaced, much of the way consists of an old military road. Moderate ascents and descents. The way bypasses Crianlarich to the west, but a spur path leads into the village, the halfway point on the route.
•Places of Interest: Grey mares tail (waterfall), The Falls of Falloch.
Crianlarich to Tyndrum
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 6 miles (9.6 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 248 m
•Total Descent: 263 m
•Max Height: 334 m
•Terrain: Good paths and tracks with some moderate ascent and descent, but nothing unduly difficult and nowhere far from services. A straightforward day of glen and low pass walking amid outstanding mountain scenery.
•Places of Interest: St Fillans Chapel, (remains) it was raised to a Priory by Robert the Bruce in 1318 and thereafter enjoyed some measure of privilege and protection from the kings of Scotland.
Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 7 miles (11.2 km) / 3 to 4 hours
•Total Ascent: 183 m
•Total Descent: 254 m
•Max Height: 334 m
•Terrain: Good paths and tracks with some moderate ascent and descent, but nothing unduly difficult and nowhere far from services. A straightforward day of glen and low pass walking amid outstanding mountain scenery.
Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 2 miles (3.2 km) / 1 to 3 hours
•Total Ascent: 175 m
•Total Descent: 164 m
•Max Height: 323 m
•Terrain: This is a short, straightforward stage which acts as an introduction to the wilderness of Rannoch Moor.
Inveroran to Kingshouse
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 10 miles (16 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 336 m
•Total Descent: 270 m
•Max Height: 446 m
•Terrain: The surface is mainly good underfoot but on Rannoch Moor you are highly exposed in bad weather. There is no shelter of any kind available until you reach the White Corries ski centre (12 km) The scenery is spectacular but if conditions are poor, this can be a very tough stage of the Way.
•Places of Interest: Glen Coe Ski Centre
Kingshouse to Kinlochleven
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 9 miles (14.4 km) / 4 to 5 hours
•Total Ascent: 423 m
•Total Descent: 659 m
•Max Height: 547 m
•Terrain: The surfaces are mainly good but you are very highly exposed at its highest point you are at 550m before a long descent down to Kinlochleven, although short its still a hard stage in bad weather.
•Places of Interest: The Devils Staircase. At 550m (1850ft) this is the highest point along the way. The Ice Factor (National ice climbing centre) Kinlochleven
Kinlochleven to Fort William
Summary:
•Distance / Time: 16 miles (24 km) / 7 to 8 hours
•Total Ascent: 735 m
•Total Descent: 737 m
•Max Height: 333 m
•Terrain: Very good paths at this last stage, there is a steep climb out of Kinlochleven, then there is no more serious gradients, the path through Nevis Forest is a bit rough then on to some tarmac descending down into Fort William.
•Places of Interest: The way goes through Lairigmor, this section of the walk boasts 11 Munros (Mountains over 3000feet).
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Preparation
I am now beginning the preparation for the second walk in the series (where will we go next year???). I have just set up the blog and will soon add the route, daily distances, B&B stops etc. When we are on the walk I will post photos and comments to let all our friends and family know how we are getting on.
Anita
Anita
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