Classic Walks of Scotland

Hello! Welcome to Scotland. Your adventure begins in Fort William – a town loved by outdoor enthusiasts as it sits in the scenic West Highlands. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 3 pm this afternoon, where you’ll meet your leader and group. With a rich history and friendly community, Fort William will be your home for the next five nights. After your meeting, warm up with an easy hike, maybe to a ruined castle on a historic battle site.

This morning, take a private transfer to nearby Glencoe, where you’ll hike the West Highland Way from Glencoe to Kinlochleven over the famous Devil’s Staircase. As you ascend, you'll see the reason for the name – the path climbs steeply, zigzagging up the mountainside. This section can be challenging but immensely rewarding, offering the best views of the surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for deer, too! After, a short transfer will take you back to Fort William for a relaxing night.

After a hearty breakfast, take another short transfer to the start of the hike in Kinlochleven – a scenic village located at the eastern end of Loch Leven. From here, hike the final stage of the West Highland Way, which will take you over the mountain pass and through the picturesque valley on your way back to Fort William. This leg of the West Highland Way marks the official end of the famous trail and serves as the starting point for the Great Glen Way, which you'll explore tomorrow. In the evening, there is the option to join your fellow travellers for dinner to reflect on the day’s adventure.

Your hike today will be a little easier – you can consider it a rest day for your tired legs! The Great Glen Way is a long-distance walking route that spans from Fort William to Inverness, following the picturesque Great Glen, which cuts through the Scottish Highlands. Today, you’ll hike the opening stage. Starting from your accommodation, the hike takes you from Fort William and follows the banks of the Caledonian Canal. Built in the 19th century, the Caledonian Canal is a man-made waterway that links east and west Scotland. Your route continues onto the small highland settlement of Gairloch. Follow a country lane to the nearby Commando Memorial which has amazing views across the Ben Nevis Mountain range, before finishing in Spean Bridge.

Today marks the pinnacle of your Scottish walking adventure with the challenging ascent of Ben Nevis – the highest peak in Scotland (and the entire United Kingdom!). The name Ben Nevis means 'mountain with its head in the clouds' in ancient Gaelic – a nod to just how tall it is. This walk is considered a must do by hikers around the world. Starting at sea level, follow a rough trail to the summit at 1345 m. This is a challenging full day in the mountains, so you’ll need excellent physical preparation and determination to reach the summit. To assist on your ascent, the group will be accompanied by two seasoned guides who will provide expertise, support and motivation for a successful climb and descent. When you’ve accomplished this feat, a private transfer will take you back to the accommodation where you can unwind and relax with a sense of accomplishment.

After breakfast, head out for a final hike with great views across Ben Nevis and the surrounding area, a victory walk after conquering the mighty peak. Starting from your accommodation, hike into Glen Nevis and head uphill to reach the summit of Cow Hill. Your efforts are rewarded with fantastic views of Glen Nevis and the many peaks which surround it, as well as across Fort William to Loch Linnhe and beyond. It’s a memorable place to finish the trip and reflect on an amazing week of hiking in Scotland. A short steep descent completes the circuit and takes you back into Fort William by lunchtime, giving you time to catch a bus to Inverness or a train south to Glasgow. If you’d like to extend your time in Scotland, maybe hop on another adventure in Orkney or in the Shetland Islands – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. If you’d like extending your exploration of Scotland, consider joining one of our other adventures on Orkney or Shetland Islands. Just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.