WHW – Long Distance Hike
WHW sign
The West Highland Way (WHW) in Scotland comes highly recommended when doing your first long distance hike in UK & Ireland. At 95 miles long, it is Scotland’s first long distance trail, opened in 1980. It is also one of the 15 National Trails In UK.
Why is this trail highly recommended? 1) it is well marked with posts about every 100 metres, 2) the trail is well maintained, 3) accommodations are hiker friendly with drying rooms at most places, 4) amazing scenery along the way, 5) lots of touring companies that booked your accommodations and transport your luggage each day, 6) Tour companies offer a variety of packages, for example I went on the 9 nights & 8 days hiking package. Hikers in reasonably good shape can hike this long distance trail. The toughest day is the last day, it is the longest day 16 plus miles, 7) Fort William provides a number of excursions to do after hiking the West Highland Way : a) Take the Jacobite Train Ride to Mallaig, b) Hike Ben Nevis Mountain, tallest mountain in Scotland & UK, c) Visit Nevis Range, Fort William’s outdoor centre, d) Hike the Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness, 79 miles long, 6-7 days hiking adventure, one of UK National Trails.