West Highland Way, June 2010
 

With Steve (my brother) and friends Marri and Sarah, I completed the West Highland Way across eight days in late-June 2010. Marri and Sarah walked until Inverarnan and Steve and I went onto complete the whole Way.

All pages coming

	Date	Itinerary	Distance (km)	Ascent (m)	Time
Day 1	17th June	Milngavie - Garadhban	25.5	300	8h 25m
Day 2	18th June	Garadhban - Rowardennan	22.7	1150	8h 10m
Day 3	19th June	Rowardennan - Inversnaid	11.7	300	6h 35m
Day 4	20th June	Inversnaid - Glen Falloch	16.0	250	10h 45m
Day 5	21st June	Glen Falloch - Tyndrum	18.2	350	6h 30m
Day 6	22nd June	Tyndrum - Kingshouse Hotel	30.5	600	9h 10m
Day 7	23rd June	Kingshouse Hotel - Kinlochleven	14.9	300	4h
Day 8	24th June	Kinlochleven - Fort William	23.6	650	5h 50m
			163.1	3900	59h 25m

 

This was another highlight of my 2010 summer, on top of Southern Upland Way and Outer Hebrides (July). It was a bit tougher than I expected, but that was in part due to the ravages of the Scottish midge on top of low morale, when the team was split in half. At least it wasn't raining!

All in all, it was a wonderful week-and-a-bit, with (mostly) sun splitting skies and many fond memories among the Highlands, a place that I have begun calling home. The social aspect was brilliant - we met many people way-walkers including two Danish (I think?) geocachers, a Canadian guy walking the length of the UK and many more. And there's a lot of chip stops too - or beer for the drinking-inclined.

Although Marri and Sarah didn't finish, there is talk of going back in 2011 - time will tell if that transpires though it's a trip I would happily do again. The mountain-types among us tend to take potshots at the West Highland Way, but it's a class route compared to other long distance trails. I don't believe there are many trails that  rival WHW in quality.