Early Summer Scotland Hiking Trip 12-19 May 2019

Organiser – Richie
When – 12th to 19th May 2019
Cost – From £99.00 (Ben Nevis & 2 Nights Accommodation Only) or the WHW week’s trip @ £749.00 (includes all WHW accommodation, all guided walks and a Sherpa Baggage Service.

Summary

See this amazing country by joining us in Bonnie Scotland on its best loved famous hike!  We will take 7 days to hike the route, and there is an option to do Ben Nevis (1345m – the highest mountain in British Isles) on day 8.  To try to keep costs down we have used hostel, bunkhouse and camping cabins for this trip.  There is self-catering for those who want to cook for themselves, and there are also restaurant or pub options for those who want to eat out most nights.  There is a luggage transfer organised for each day so you can travel light during the hikes and your luggage will be waiting for you at the accommodation.  On some days, there will be a train station nearby where anyone who wants an easier day can jump on the train and meet up with us later that day.  This is a trip for a small group of hikers..

Bonnie Scotland

Itinerary

Day 1 – 12^th May 2019 (20km)
Make your own way to Milngavie – either stay in Glasgow or Milngavie the night before.  The first train from Glasgow to Milngavie is about 9am.  We start the hike at Milngavie on Sunday 10am morning at the start of the West Highland Way, heading north up past Dumgoyne and its distillery.  We will stop at The Beech Tree pub for lunch.  After lunch we continue to Drymen which is where our accommodation is.  We will be greeted with tea and scones.  For dinner, there are self-catering facilities here, or we can opt to eat out at a local pub (The Clachan Inn is the oldest registered licensed pub in Scotland (1734).

West Highland Way

Day 2 – 13^th May 2019 (24km)
After a continental style breakfast, we leave our accommodation at Dryman and head back onto the West Highland Way – in the morning there is a small ascent up over Conic Hill (361m) summit before Loch Lomond firsts appears and then descending into Balmaha where we can stop for a quick break to sample its famous tea shop and ice creams.  We then continue up the bank of Loch Lomond before we reach our accommodation just north of Rowardennan.  There are self-catering facilities here, they also do dinner at the hostel or we can opt to eat out at a local pub just 10mins down the road.

Conic Hill

Day 3 – 14^th May 2019 (22km)
After breakfast, we hit the trail and continue up the rugged but spectacular banks of Loch Lomond.  We then arrive at Inversnaid and cross the beautiful waterfalls for an early lunch break.  After lunch we continue on the trail which takes us all the way up to Inverarnan and our accommodation at Beinglas.  The accommodation are shared camping cabins – which are basic, but will serve their purpose for the night.  There are self-catering facilities here, they also serve refreshments, dinner and snacks at the on-site pub.

Inversnaid

Day 4 – 15^th May 2019 (20km)
The Beinglas Campsite pub also serve a variety of breakfasts, after which we then continue into the Highlands on the trail up onto the Old Military Road and pass through the forest above Crainlarich where we will have a lunch break.  We continue following the Old Military Road through some beautiful landscape before arriving at our accommodation in Tyndrum.  There are self-catering facilities here, there are also several pubs, cafes and restaurants in the town for dinner.

Loch Lomond

Day 5 – 16^th May 2019 (31km)
In the morning after breakfast we leave Tyndrum and head north once more.  We reach the Bridge of Orchy where we continue over the Old Military Road and down to the Inveroran Hotel where we will stop for an early lunch.  We then continue over some beautiful landscapes over Rannoch Moor and through the Black Mount before reaching Glencoe Mountain Resort and descending to our accommodation at Kings House.  There are self-catering facilities here, there is also the hotel pub where they serve decent pub food, and a takeaway counter that serves hot food.

West Highland Way Trail

Day 6 – 17^th May 2019 (14km)
In the morning, after breakfast – available at the takeaway counter or self-cater, we track the River Coupall up to the foot of the Devil’s Staircase, we then ascend up to the 548m summit.  We then keep at height before descending down to the side of River Leven and down into Kinlochleven where our accommodation is.  Here they have Ice and Mountain climbing facilities to visit, or have a climb.  There are self-catering facilities here, there is also several pubs and cafes in the village where they serve decent food, and a small supermarket.

Kings House

Day 7 – 18^th May 2019 (24km)
In the morning for breakfast, we can self-cater or use one of the hotels.  After breakfast –- we head over the River Leven then ascend up to 250m then mainly keep the height for most of the morning, before descending through Nevis Forest and down into our accommodation at Glen Nevis.  Fort William is a short walk or bus ride from here where we can make a late afternoon visit at its shops, bars, cafes – there is also an opportunity to celebrate and get some photos at the official (new) end of the West Highland Way.  There are self-catering facilities back at the accommodation or we can use one of the restaurants, pubs, or local cafes in Fort William for dinner.  There is also a decent size supermarket here.

The Highlands

Day 8 – 19^th May 2019 (optional Ben Nevis – 1345m)
In the morning, after breakfast those who do not want to ascend the optional Ben Nevis climb will leave the accommodation and make their own way back for Fort William (this is a short bus or taxi ride) and your onward journey.  There is a beautiful scenic West Highland Line train ride from Fort William to Glasgow, which I recommend, that retraces much of our week’s West Highland Way hike.  You may wish to stay on in Fort William an extra day and night at your own arrangements.

For those who wish to come with me up Ben Nevis you will not be disappointed.  Ben Nevis is a spectacular mountain and the highest in the British Isles.  We will start the hike from the accommodation front door, and it will take us about 4hrs to summit and 3hrs to walk back down.  I have booked an extra night’s accommodation at Glen Nevis for the group that does this hike.  After the hike, we can chill at the accommodation or have another trip into Fort William.

Ben Nevis (1345m)

Day 9 – 20^th May 2019
After breakfast at the accommodation, we conclude the trip and make our way into Fort William as described in the yesterday’s event.

Bonnie Scotland Welcomes You!