A gentler daily pace
Classic, unhurried
Follow the classic route over more days, with shorter average walking distances and a choice of hotels, B&Bs, hostels and bunkhouses.
Example templates10 Day Classic · 9 Day Classic
West Highland Way itinerary templates
Find your West Highland Way itinerary
Start with a West Highland Way itinerary that fits the way your group wants to walk. Compare durations, daily stages and places to stay, then load a template into The Hiking Club platform and make it your own.
- 5 to 10 day options
- Classic stays and camping
- Routes you can personalise
Use a template to get started
Different ways to hike the West Highland Way
Compare nine templates with different durations, daily hiking demands and overnight arrangements. Load a starting point into your profile, then adapt the stages around your group and accommodation plans.
A balanced journey
Classic at a steady pace
Walk the full classic route with longer days and flexible accommodation choices along the way.
Example templates8 Day Classic · 7 Day Classic
Longer walking days
Faster classics
Cover substantially more ground each day. These templates call for a group comfortable with consecutive long stages.
Example templates6 Day Classic · 5 Day Classic
Sleep outdoors
Wild camping
Start with a seven-day route using planned bivouac locations. Check current access rules, camping restrictions and conditions before committing to each stop.
Example template7 Day Wild Camping
Camping with facilities
Campground stays
Plan a seven-day walk around campgrounds with facilities such as toilets and showers, subject to availability.
Example template7 Day Campground
A shorter hiking schedule
Classic with transport
Use transport connections to spread the walk over five hiking days with lower average daily distance than the five-day continuous classic.
Example template5 Day Classic with Transport
Compare the templates
West Highland Way itinerary distances and hiking times
Compare the typical demands of each template before choosing a starting point. These figures are daily averages across each itinerary.
| Itinerary template | Days | Distance per day | Ascent per day | Hiking time per day | Route or stay style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic route | |||||
| 10 Day Classic | 10 | 15 km9 mi | 385 m1,263 ft | 4.5 hours | Classic route; mixed accommodation |
| 9 Day Classic | 9 | 17.5 km11 mi | 442 m1,450 ft | 5 hours | Classic route; mixed accommodation |
| 8 Day Classic | 8 | 19.5 km12 mi | 484 m1,588 ft | 5.75 hours | Classic route; mixed accommodation |
| 7 Day Classic | 7 | 22 km14 mi | 557 m1,827 ft | 6.5 hours | Classic route; mixed accommodation |
| Faster classics | |||||
| 6 Day Classic | 6 | 26 km16 mi | 674 m2,211 ft | 7 hours | Classic route; mixed accommodation |
| 5 Day Classic | 5 | 31 km19 mi | 771 m2,529 ft | 6.75 hours | Classic route; mixed accommodation |
| Camping and transport | |||||
| 7 Day Wild Camping | 7 | 22 km13.5 mi | 553 m1,814 ft | 6.5 hours | Classic route; bivouac locations |
| 7 Day Campground | 7 | 22 km13.5 mi | 555 m1,820 ft | 6.5 hours | Classic route; campgrounds |
| 5 Day Classic with Transport | 5 | 19 km12 mi | 500 m1,640 ft | 5.5 hours | Classic route; transport connections |
Daily figures are averages from the published templates. Hiking times exclude breaks and reflect the pace specified for each template; they are not directly comparable as a measure of difficulty. Individual stages vary. Changing your route, overnight stops or transport will change the figures. Check current camping rules and restrictions before using either camping template.
Inside The Hiking Club platform
A starting point you can make your own
Load a West Highland Way template into your account, inspect each day and adjust your route as your accommodation and transport plans take shape.
Choose a template
Start with a duration, walking pace and accommodation style that looks suitable for your group.
Review every stage
See the route on the map alongside daily distance, ascent, estimated hiking time and planned overnight stops before booking.
Adapt and book
Change your start or finish, daily stages and accommodation plan. Check the available options, then book directly with providers.
Your itinerary stays editable. A template gives you a researched foundation, while the final route and bookings remain your choice.
Get access to the templates →Your West Highland Way starts here
Get immediate access to the West Highland Way itinerary templates
Choose a template, load it into your account and start shaping a West Highland Way itinerary around your group. Your purchase also gives you the platform tools to explore accommodation, prepare for the Highlands and take your personalised route onto the trail.
Platform access
From €79 / hiking season
- Immediate access to West Highland Way itinerary templates
- Build and edit your own West Highland Way itineraries
- Explore accommodation information and booking options
- Prepare and download personalised route files
- One purchase for your hiking group
One payment per season · No automatic renewal · Accommodation booked directly with providers