What a wonderful trip! The reflections of this journey are both practical and meditative.
Takeaway meals
Firstly, if you are thinking about hiking the West Highland Way, find the right method for you. The Inn to Inn method versus outdoor camping or even a combination of the two is up to you. A hot meal and a shower each night had benefits. But I was still envious of the wild campers. But I also saw his skin eaten by mosquitoes.
Do you like carrying the fur baby? We saw many hikers with dogs. The dogs were welcomed in the inns and restaurants. I loved it because I missed my two at home so much. I wish I could have brought them with me, but there are practical things to consider. We also saw children and a couple with a baby and a dog. They were fantastic and I was amazed by their tenacity.
My pampered doggos warm and cozy at home
Preparation
Second, prepare and train for a mixed trail. For maximum enjoyment, training for flat walks and incline walks is essential for enjoyment. It’s a hike so be prepared for rain, mud and bugs. The Loch Lomond section full of rocks, tree stumps and steep climbs is still my favorite, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The trails are made by Mother Nature, not Disney.
Loch Lomond
Walk your own walk
Third, do your own hike! Everyone walks differently and groups don’t have to stay close together. The climbs get into my head and I need to keep going while the next hiker can do a staged ascent. I don’t think about my pace until someone tells me how much further we have to walk. Some people follow closely. Do what works for you.
devil’s ladder
Self-sufficient
Fourth, prepare to be self-sufficient. Again, this is a full hike and you should bring more than you think you need. That means food and water for the days away and something else just in case. The trail has plenty of water for those using filters, but if not, it can be a long walk between water fill stations. The water fill is not all the pretty blue tap stations we saw at the beginning, it can be easily overlooked as it can be a tap on the side of the building.
Realistic
Fifth, you can do this, just do it the way that is best for you. If a full day of walking doesn’t work for you, plan for half or plan to take a bus and remember it’s your trip. And take the time to smell the roses. We enjoyed the distillery tour on the first day, but that required a scheduled morning deadline to take the tour at 11:30. If you don’t want to be tied to the clock, avoid doing pre-planned side quests. This was a fantastic way to immerse ourselves in the culture. You quickly discover that Scottish insight and humor are part of the journey.
If you’re worried about things like souvenirs, don’t worry about buying them in advance and bringing things. Fort William’s has many post-hike souvenir shops to suit your needs.
Sense of humor
Lastly, bring your sense of humor with you. Fun things happened along the way. There were nights when we laughed a lot because tiredness invaded us and we laughed because of simple decisions. The meditative aspect of this trip was present every day because the views were so inspiring, but deep thinking does not have to be mandatory.
Whatever you decide, whether it’s the West Highland Way or another walk for you, just get out there and do it. Walking one mile can kick-start your motivation for the next mile and the next. Dare to imagine and dare to do it!
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