West Highland Way Highlights: 5-Day Hiking Trip from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William

Do you want to hike the West Highland Way, but focus mainly on the sections that are the reason you’re coming to Scotland? Endless high moorland landscapes, rugged mountain passes, the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, and, to top it all off, a descent through Glen Nevis with Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Great Britain) as the backdrop.

This 5-day West Highland Way Highlights tour is a self-guided hiking trip that focuses on the most mountainous and impressive northern half of the route: from Bridge of Orchy to Fort William. You’ll hike on your own, while accommodations and luggage transfers are arranged for you.

You can book through Nature Travel Lab with our local specialist (so you have peace of mind, but still enjoy maximum freedom while traveling).

Why the 5-day West Highland Way highlights?

The classic West Highland Way is longer, but this “highlights” version captures just the right amount of Highland magic:

• Rannoch Moor: one of Great Britain’s last great wildernesses, with a sense of vastness that feels almost otherworldly
• Hiking beneath the iconic pyramid of Buachaille Etive Mòr: the gateway to Glencoe
• The climb to the highest point of the WHW via the Devil’s Staircase (it sounds worse than it is 😉)
• The final stretch over the remote Lairigmòr Pass and through Glen Nevis toward Fort William

Shorter, but still a real adventure: rugged, classic Scotland, and every day the feeling that you’re on your way somewhere.

Highlights of the West Highland Way at a Glance

The highlights of the route:

• Hiking to the base of Ben Nevis
• Rannoch Moor and a place to stay at one of Scotland’s most remote “licensed inns”
• Exploring Glencoe and Glen Nevis on Foot

Route Overview: West Highland Way Highlights in 5 Days

Our specialist has rated this trip as “Trip Grade 3” (moderate/challenging): mainly unpaved tracks, footpaths, and mountain trails.

Hiking Days (3 stages):

• Bridge of Orchy – Kingshouse: 15.6 km | ↑306 m | ↓234 m | 5–6 hours
• Kingshouse – Kinlochleven: 14.3 km | ↑362 m | ↓598 m | approx. 5 hours
• Kinlochleven – Fort William: 25 km | ↑543 m | ↓545 m | approx. 8 hours

In addition, you’ll arrive in Bridge of Orchy on one day and depart from Fort William after breakfast on another.

Day-by-Day: West Highland Way Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Bridge of Orchy

You’ll arrive in the small town of Bridge of Orchy, which is easily accessible by train. You’ll spend the night here and get ready for your first real day in the Highlands.

Tip: Take a short walk along the water in the evening to get that valley vibe. That way, you’ll get into the rhythm of the hike right away.

Day 2: From Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse (15.6 km)

Today you’ll step right into the “open world”: you’ll follow an old military road through the heath and peatland landscapes of Rannoch Moor. This is the kind of place where the scenery changes every quarter of an hour: patches of sunshine, wisps of fog, glistening puddles, and, if you’re lucky, deer in the distance.

Along the way, you’ll pass Ba Bridge, one of the most remote points on the route. The day ends at Kingshouse, in the shadow of the impressive Buachaille Etive Mòr—a mountain that looks as if it were designed specifically for postcards.

Good to know (accommodations): The Kingshouse Hotel sometimes only accepts 2-night stays if your booking falls on a Saturday; if it’s fully booked, there may be an alternative (such as a privately booked bunk bed option) that includes breakfast at the hotel.

Day 3: From Kingshouse to Kinlochleven (14.3 km)

You’ll walk past Buachaille Etive Mòr and then begin the climb up the Devil’s Staircase (to about 564 meters). It’s a well-maintained trail, and once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views back toward where you came from.

This is followed by a long descent to sea level at Loch Leven, with views of the Blackwater Dam and the surrounding mountains (such as The Pap of Glencoe), among other sights. You’ll end up in Kinlochleven, where you’ll stay at a welcoming B&B or guesthouse.

Day 4: From Kinlochleven to Fort William (25 km)

This is a long day, but also a fantastic finale. You’ll start with a steep climb beneath the Mamore Hills, follow old (Victorian) trails, and cross the remote Lairigmòr Pass.

Then you’ll head down through the woods and along trails toward Glen Nevis. And suddenly, there it is: Ben Nevis (1,344 meters) in the background. You’ll arrive in Fort William, where you’ll spend the night at a hiker-friendly guesthouse or B&B.

Day 5: Departure from Fort William (or stay a little longer…)

The trip ends after breakfast. But honestly, this is one of those places where it’s a shame to leave right away. You can plan an extra night to explore Glen Nevis further or (if your legs are still up for it) climb Ben Nevis.

Practical Information: West Highland Way Highlights

Accommodations & Meals

You’ll stay in a mix of B&Bs, lodges, pubs, and small hotels, run by hosts who are used to hikers. Most have en-suite or private facilities, and a hearty breakfast is always included.

• Breakfast included
• Packed lunches are often available as an add-on and come in handy, since on many days you’ll find little to nothing along the way
• In the evening, you can eat at pubs or restaurants, or sometimes at your lodging

Luggage Transfers

• 1 bag per person, up to 20 kg
• This is arranged, and you’ll be picked up every morning (you’ll be told the time and place at your accommodation)
• Tip: Bring a soft bag or travel bag (it works better than a hard suitcase)

Directions & Navigation

When you book, you’ll receive a digital mobile app containing your personal itinerary, GPX files, and route information, plus a link to your personalized PDF roadbook.

Accessibility (both sustainable and logical)

• From London Euston to Glasgow Central by train (about 5.5 hours), then on to Bridge of Orchy (hotel/lodging near the station).
• Return from Fort William to Glasgow by train (approx. 3 hours 40 minutes) or bus (several trips a day).
• There is also an overnight sleeper train from Fort William to London (via Glasgow).

When can you go?

This tour is available from late March through mid-October. Read more about our other hiking routes and tours in Scotland here.

Who is this West Highland Way Highlights tour suitable for?

This 5-day program is a good fit for you if:

• have hiked before (hilly terrain, a longer day on Day 4)
• He wants to do the “big Scotland tours” without having to go through the entire WHW
• want to hike on your own, but without having to worry about the logistics (accommodations, luggage, route information)