West Highland Way path and sign at Tyndrum, half way on the West Highland Way

Explore the West Highland Way from Kirkhouse Inn

The West Highland Way is Scotland’s most famous long-distance walking trail, stretching 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. Beginning just a few miles from Kirkhouse Inn, it leads walkers from gentle farmland and lochside paths into the rugged majesty of the Highlands, passing Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and Glencoe before finishing beneath Ben Nevis.

Kirkhouse Inn makes the ideal starting or finishing point for your journey. Stay the night before you set off to enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast and begin your adventure refreshed, or return at the end of your walk for a well-deserved meal and a comfortable bed. The Inn offers free parking for walkers leaving their cars, baggage transfer, and easy bus links to Milngavie (the stop is outside the inn), just minutes away.

Our location in Strathblane provides both countryside calm and great access to transport routes — perfect for arranging transfers, meeting fellow walkers, or simply relaxing before or after your trek. With cosy rooms, excellent food and warm hospitality, Kirkhouse Inn is more than a place to stay — it’s part of the West Highland Way experience itself.

Remember to book rooms on this website for the guaranteed lowest prices

The West Highland Way Route

  • Milngavie Obelisk marking the start of the West Highland Way walk

    The West Highland Way begins in Milngavie, just a few miles from Kirkhouse Inn. Get a photo by the obelisk, where your adventure officially starts. Stock up on supplies, then set off through gentle countryside trails surrounded by rolling farmland and the Campsie Fells.

  • Aerial picture of Drymen, a Loch Lomond villlage on the West Highland Way

    Around twelve miles along the trail, the route reaches Drymen, a welcoming village full of charm and history.

    From here, the scenery unfolds beautifully, and it feels like a rewarding early milestone on your journey.

  • Walkers with rucksacks descending Conic Hill on the West Highland Way

    At around twenty miles, the West Highland Way reaches the shores of Loch Lomond, one of Scotland’s most famous beauty spots. The path hugs the water’s edge through oak woods and hidden beaches, with magical views of Ben Lomond towering above.

  • Tyndrum, on the path of the West Highland Way

    Halfway along the West Highland Way sits Tyndrum, a small but well-loved stop surrounded by mountains. It’s a perfect place to recharge, with cafés and shops. From Tyndrum, the landscape grows wilder, leading you deeper into classic Highland scenery.

  • Bridge of Orchy on the West Highland Way

    At sixty miles, you’ll reach Bridge of Orchy, a beautiful riverside stop with a historic stone bridge and sweeping mountain views.

    The trail here begins to feel truly remote, opening up to vast moorland and endless sky.

  • Two young deer standing in a grassy field with a body of water and mountains in the background.

    By seventy-five miles, you’ve arrived in legendary Glencoe, where rugged peaks rise steeply on either side of the glen.

    This section is pure drama and one of the most photographed landscapes in Scotland.

  • The Devil's Staircase on the West Highland Way

    At around eighty miles, the Devil’s Staircase marks the highest point of the West Highland Way and one of its most thrilling sections. The climb is steady and rewarding, opening up spectacular views across Glencoe and towards Ben Nevis.

  • Kinlochleven on the West Highland Way

    Ten miles from the finish, Kinlochleven is a great place to refuel and rest your legs.

    From here, the final stretch climbs into open country again, with Ben Nevis beckoning ahead.

  • Sore feet statue, in Fort William at the end of the West Highland Way

    Congratulations, you’ve made it. The West Highland Way ends at Fort William, at the foot of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain. Snap a photo by the aptly named ‘Sore Feet’ statue and have a pint to celebrate your 96-mile walk.

★★★★★

Last week I walked the West Highland Way, and we used the Kirkhouse Inn as our base camp for the first couple of nights—the staff were fantastic. The food was fantastic, and the atmosphere was chill (what you need after a long day walking). Would highly recommend this place to stay in the future.

— Pete, via Google