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Classic Walks of Scotland

Classic Walks of Scotland

From $ 2,555 AUD

Description

Sample some of Scotland’s most iconic walks like the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way and conquer Ben Nevis – the highest peak in Scotland and the entire United Kingdom – with two expert guides by your side. Fort William, a charming town located on the shores of Loch Linnhe, is famous for being the gateway to Ben Nevis and will be your home away from home on this trip which takes you through an ever changing landscape that is famous for its Scottish culture, dramatic landscapes, and breathtaking natural scenery. Add a charming Scottish town and atmospheric pubs to enjoy at the end of each day and this walking trip has it all.

Trip Name
Classic Walks of Scotland
Last Updated
2024-08-21
Days
6
Capacity
14
Highlights
  • Located on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William is a charming town that makes for the perfect base for your trip. Unpack once, settle in, and enjoy a warm welcome back at the end of each day.
  • Safety always comes first – let your experienced and qualified leader show you the way as you take in spectacular scenery on some of Scotland’s best walks.
  • Conquer Ben Nevis - the king of Scotland walks – with qualified mountain guides who will provide plenty of encouragement and help you scale the mountain at your own pace.
  • Trek the West Highland Way and experience the best of it – Devil’s Staircase and the final stage leading you to Fort William – and enjoy a leisurely ramble along the Great Glen Way.
  • This trip is as green as it gets. We only use public transport and our accommodation can be reached from major cities in the UK by train.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Fort William
Welcome to the Highlands! Your adventure begins in Fort William, cradled amidst the captivating landscapes of the Scottish West Highlands. The town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering exceptional hiking, climbing, winter and water sports opportunities. The imposing presence of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, looms large, making this town a mecca for those seeking Highland mountain adventures. With a rich history and friendly community, Fort William will be your home for the next five nights. After you’ve settled into your accommodation, meet your leader and the rest of your group at a welcome meeting, then enjoy an easy hike to stretch the legs, maybe to a ruined castle on a historic battle site.
Day 2 - Devil's Staircase
This morning, you’ll take the 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 quickly understand why it's called the Devil's Staircase. The path climbs steeply, zigzagging its way up the mountainside. This section can be challenging but immensely rewarding, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the vast expanse of the region. Keep an eye out for deer as you take in the tranquil views on this occasionally challenging but rewarding hike. There’s no need to walk back to where you started on this point-to point walk as a short transfer will take you back to Fort William for a relaxing night.
Day 3 - West Highland Way
After a hearty breakfast, you’ll 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 travelers for dinner, to reflect on the day’s’ adventure.
Day 4 - Great Glen Way
Today is a bit of an easier day today, which could be considered as a rest day for 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 the 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 to 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.
Day 5 - Ben Nevis
Today marks the pinnacle of your Scottish walking adventure with the challenging ascent of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland (and in fact, the entire United Kingdom). The name Ben Nevis means 'mountain with its head in the clouds' in ancient Gaelic. 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 achievement.
Day 6 - Cow Hill
After breakfast, head out for a final hike with great views across Ben Nevis and the surrounding area, a celebratory victory walk after conquering the mighty peak. Starting directly 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 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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-05-202524-05-2025AUD $ 3,195-
02-06-202507-06-2025AUD $ 2,590-
30-06-202505-07-2025AUD $ 2,555-
14-07-202519-07-2025AUD $ 2,655-
18-08-202523-08-2025AUD $ 2,655-
01-09-202506-09-2025AUD $ 2,655-
15-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 2,655-
04-05-202609-05-2026AUD $ 2,555-
18-05-202623-05-2026AUD $ 2,680-
01-06-202606-06-2026AUD $ 2,680-
22-06-202627-06-2026AUD $ 2,555-
06-07-202611-07-2026AUD $ 2,555-
20-07-202625-07-2026AUD $ 2,555-
03-08-202608-08-2026AUD $ 2,555-
17-08-202622-08-2026AUD $ 2,785-
31-08-202605-09-2026AUD $ 2,555-
14-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 2,785-
28-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 2,555-

Accommodation

Guesthouse (5 nights)

Transport

Walking,public bus,train,taxi

Map