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Classic Walks of Scotland

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Classic Walks of Scotland

Was From $ 2,555 AUD
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Description

Experience some of Scotland’s most iconic walks, like the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way, and take on Ben Nevis – the highest peak in Scotland and the entire United Kingdom – with two experts by your side. Fort William, 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. Trek through an ever-changing landscape, rich in Scottish culture and dramatic scenery and after each active day, unwind in a charming Scottish town with atmospheric pubs to celebrate!

Trip Name
Classic Walks of Scotland
Last Updated
2024-08-21
Days
6
Capacity
14
Highlights
  • Unpack once, settle in, and enjoy a warm welcome back at the end of each day in Fort William – this village is your base for the trip.
  • Feel safe as an experienced and qualified leader shows you the way while you take in the spectacular scenery on some of Scotland’s best walks.
  • Conquer Ben Nevis – the king of Scotland walks – with qualified mountain guides who will give you plenty of encouragement and help you scale the mountain at your own pace.
  • Trek the West Highland Way and experience the best of it (like Devil’s Staircase) and enjoy a leisurely walk along the Great Glen Way.
  • Only use public transport on the trip, giving you a slice of the local life and avoiding unnecessary queues – plus, you can easily reach Fort William by train if you’re travelling from a major UK city!

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
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.
Day 2 - Devil's Staircase
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.
Day 3 - West Highland Way
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.
Day 4 - Great Glen Way
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.
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 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.
Day 6 - Cow Hill
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
19-05-202524-05-2025AUD $ 3,035-
02-06-202507-06-2025AUD $ 2,460-
30-06-202505-07-2025AUD $ 2,427-
14-07-202519-07-2025AUD $ 2,522-
18-08-202523-08-2025AUD $ 2,522-
01-09-202506-09-2025AUD $ 2,522-
15-09-202520-09-2025AUD $ 2,522-
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