Day 1
Milngavie

Our adventure begins when we first meet as a group in Milngavie, just outside Glasgow. We’ll send you details of our comfortable accommodation once you register for the trek, and you’ll have all day to make your own way there.

Milngavie has fantastic transport links, including trains to Glasgow’s stunning city centre, so you may want to make the most of the opportunity to explore the city.

In the evening, we unite for our Welcome Dinner and a briefing from our Challenge Leader. Then, we retire for a good night’s rest before we commence our trek tomorrow.

Day 2
Milngavie – Drymen | approx. 24km/14.9 miles | +255m/837ft ascent

Rise and shine to our first day trekking. We lace up our hiking boots after breakfast at the hotel and trek through the exquisite Celtic countryside. Make the most of today’s fairly flat terrain, as it’s tame compared to the hills we’ll face on the days ahead.

Winding our way through lush, green hills and valleys, past beautiful rivers and lochs, we eventually reach the world-class Glengoyne Highland Single Malt whisky distillery and tasting rooms. Here, we take a break from the hike with a fantastic tour of the distillery – and you can bet that we’ll taste its fine whiskies!

Trekking on, we refuel with a pub lunch and then we’re back on our feet to tackle the rest of the way to Drymen. At last, we approach the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond, where our accommodation and dinner awaits, just off the West Highland Way in Drymen.

Day 3
Drymen – Rowardennan | approx. 27km/16.7 miles | +651m/2,136ft ascent

We rise early to breakfast for a mighty day of trekking ahead. A gentle start leads us back onto the main West Highland Way and on to the foot of Conic Hill.

Here, the real hiking begins as we climb at a steady pace over the hill with expansive panoramas that reward us bountifully for the ache in our legs. Once we reach the top, we tuck into a packed lunch and enjoy the view across a patchwork of lush fields and the chain of islands connecting the lowlands and highlands of Scotland.

From here, we can also see the stunning Loch Lomond and we descend after lunch to enter the little village of Balmaha on its eastern shore. We continue north along the shores of the loch and look out for birds diving for fish.

Having conquered today’s toughest climb, we enjoy a tamer trek through a magical ancient oak woodland and finally reach Rowardennan. This small settlement enjoys the backdrop of the mighty Ben Lomond and yet more expansive views of the lake. We settle down at our accommodation for dinner.

Day 4
Rowardennan – Inverarnan | approx. 25km/15.5 miles | +566m/1,857ft ascent

We wake early today and leave our accommodation before breakfast, bringing a packed one with us instead, as we continue trekking north along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond

We follow clear footpaths through historic forests bursting with life, the bright variety of vegetation well-nourished from the neighbouring loch. It’s a long day of walking, but the scenery keeps us smiling and energised, with a picnic lunch along the way to revive us for the afternoon.

Reaching Inversnaid, we’re treated to a footbridge crossing that takes in a breath-taking 620ft-waterfall cascading down into Loch Lomond, a scene that puts into perspective the power of nature.

As we put more distance behind us, our path becomes rockier and we’re likely to encounter a few crags and boulders, which just make our adventure more exciting.

Our day’s walk ends when we enter the postcard-perfect Highland hamlet of Inverarnan at the top of Loch Lomond. Here, we find our accommodation and settle down for a delicious dinner at the famous Drover’s Inn, renowned for its hospitality.

Day 5
Inverarnan – Tyndrum | approx. 20km/12.5 miles | + 1,857ft/566m ascent

Leaving our accommodation and views of Loch Lomond after breakfast, we spend the day following the River Falloch. The landscape opens to expansive views of soaring snow-capped mountains.

We undulate along tracks and old military roads over moderate hills, enjoying mainly smooth surfaces and vistas of the Munros, Highland mountains over 3,000ft/1,345m tall.

Nestled amidst this incredible natural scenery, we encounter the small, historic village of Crainlarich, an important transport link along the West Highland Trainline, the same line followed by the Jacobite Steam Train! We can’t be far behind the iconic steam train now, but you’ll get the awesome optional chance to ride it when we finish in Fort William, a few days from now.

From here, we push on alongside the River Fillan across the valley floor and pass the ancient ruins of St Fillan’s Priory. We now follow the River Cononish all the way to the village of Tyndrum. Here, we enjoy our well-deserved dinner and rest for the night.

Day 6
Tyndrum – Kingshouse | approx. 30km/19 miles | + 2,070ft/631m ascent

Bidding Tyndrum goodbye, we prepare for two days of trekking with no sign of settlements. We follow the West Highland Way route along the line of the Jacobite Steam Train and admire the incredible engineering of the train track. Winding our way through the mountains, we skirt the magnificent Ben Odhar and see the pyramidal peaks of Beinn Dorain towering ahead of us over the Bridge of Orchy.

Before long, we reach the menacing boggy Rannoch Moor, the wildest and most remote part of the entire Highland Way. As such, we’re treated to yet more jaw-dropping panoramas over endless natural scenery – the perfect escape after so long stuck at home in lock-down!

We end our day at the awesome Buchaille Etive Mor (The Great Herdsman of Etive), recognisable from the James Bond Skyfall movie and perhaps the most photographed mountain in Scotland.

We’ve now reached the edge of the amazing Glen Coe, whose steep mountains, waterfalls and swooping valleys make it a top movie spot, featured in Rob Roy, Braveheart, Skyfall and Harry Potter. Tucked amidst this captivating natural scenery, we find our night's accommodation and enjoy a hearty dinner.

Day 7
Kingshouse – Kinlochleven | approx. 17km/10.6 miles| +1,329ft/405m ascent

Starting our day with breakfast at our accommodation, we head further towards the main Glen Coe and then turn south to meet the Devil’s Staircase.

A moderate climb beckons and we zig-zag our way up to the highest point of the Highland Way, a whopping 550m! Needless to say, the panoramas at the top reward us well for our ascent. Here, we revel in the spectacular views of the Buchaille and the beautiful group of mountains known as the Mamores. From here, we should also be able to glimpse the handsome Loch Etive and Glen Etive.

Our trek now eases as we wind through remote hills and finally descend to the first settlement we’ve seen in two days: the picturesque village of Kinlochleven.

With only one day left now to trek, we settle down for dinner and a good night’s rest.

Day 8
Kinlochlevn – Fort William | approx. 26km/16.1 miles | 1,998ft/609m ascent.

Rise and shine to our final day’s hike. We’ve saved the toughest trek until last, but with the spectacular finish point of Fort William ahead, we tackle it with joy.

Fuelling up with breakfast, we commence with a steep ascent out of Kinlochleven. The gruelling climb gives us bewitching views of the surrounding mountains, the best of which we get at the top. Looking back at the great distance we’ve covered, we gaze over Loch Leven and Kinlochleven tucked in the lush valley.

Ahead of us lies the great pass of Lairigmor, which takes us neatly through the mountains. Following a rough path, we skirt the foot of the Mamores and round them to see the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Standing proud at an impressive 1,345m, it makes a humbling view. We now descend through enchanting forestry plantations and trek our last stretch across Glen Nevis to our finish line in the heart of Fort William, said to be the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Fatigued and filled with an unforgettable sense of achievement, we toast our success with drinks at a local pub and freshen up at our hotel before a fantastic celebration meal in the city.

Day 9
Fort William

Today after breakfast at our hotel, you are free to explore Fort William and make your own way home.
Alternatively, we are delighted to have organised an optional first-class ride on the world-famous Jacobite Steam Train, aka. the Hogwarts Express, complete with an afternoon tea!, 

Named one of the world’s greatest rail journeys, you’ll find the ride amazing. Few people get to experience the rustic feel of a steam train, let alone first-class seats and afternoon tea, and you’ll never forget the views across sparkling lochs and the surrounding mountains.

We’ll ride the same route featured in the Harry Potter films and gaze out over key movie scenes, including the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, where Harry almost fell out of the flying Ford Anglia. What a way to end our Highland adventure!

As Fort William and the surrounding areas are too beautiful to leave straight away, you are also more than welcome to opt for an extra night at the hotel. We will send all participants the details of the optional train ride and extra night, including the times and prices, closer to the challenge.

*Please note, this itinerary is subject to change.