I walked 96 miles through the Scottish highlands, the last day

After Ten days of walking through West Highland Way, I found myself on the last day of this unforgettable trip. After walking through valleys, moors and (somehow!) Heavens without rain, I reached the final stretch. I wasn’t sure how I would feel the last day. Enthusiastic? Relieved? But above all, I just wanted to reduce time.

This path took me through everything: cultivation lands, lake forests, open moors, mountain passes and small towns of the highlands. I started on the outskirts of Glasgow in Milngavie (yes, «Mull-guy») is pronounced and walked north for 96 miles through places that I had only seen in guides, such as Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and the devil’s staircase. There were hard climbs, old roads, military roads and many more sheep than people. And yes, not a single rainy day!

On the way, I stayed in welcomed inns, I met locals and fellow members, and fell into a rhythm that I did not know that I was anxious: wake up, walk, eat, rest, repeat. It was simple, to land and just what I needed.

And now, it was time to say goodbye.

By the way, if you missed my blogs on day 1 or day 10, I would recommend reviewing them so you can follow this trip from the beginning!

Summary: My West Highland Way trip

I started the West Highland Way on March 11And after 11 days of continuous hiking, with an average of approximately 10 miles a day, I am finishing this spontaneous adventure through the hole on March 21.

This walk was not planned. My partner (Orion) and I had landed in western Scotland in January for a two -month house, and in a matter of days, we both knew we could not go without walking through West Highland Way. We had none of our camping equipment with us, so we decided to follow the «luxury» route, staying in B&B every night instead of launching a tent. Compared to the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail that we have walked in previous years, this was a completely new experience. And honestly? I do not regret it. The March camp in Scotland would have been brave (crazy limit), although we met many brave campers out there, making it work!

I have always felt a strange pull towards the scottish highlands, as if it were destined to walk through these landscapes. As soon as I entered West Highland Way, I understood why. There is something in this place. Maybe they are the shameless dramas, the kindness of the locals or the hardness that is needed to live in such resistant conditions, But this land has its own magic.

This was not the most dramatic or remote path that I have made. It is not alpine and resistant like the Colorado path, but still challenges you. Walking next to deep locks, cross the moor and the top of munros of 3,000 feet: it is the type of land that makes you win each mile and feel proud of your body at the end of the day.

I learned about the Scottish tradition of «Munro Bagging», which meets the 282 of the highest peaks of Scotland, and became curious instantly. So we add in a rise from Ben Lomond just after Rowardennan. The upper part was covered with snow and required a bit of fighting, but it was one of the best days of the walk.

There is also a real story baked on this path. Some of the sections follow military roads of the 18th century built after Jacobitas uprisings, others pass through ruins of crips and cabins clear during the authorizations of the highlands. Walk here, not just move through landscapes, you walk through centuries of stories.

And, of course, there is nothing like going on an excursion all day in the cold, the red face of the wind, and reaching a small pub in the village full of locals drinking beer and chatting next to a firewood fire. You sit down, ask for a meat cake and a whiskey, and it seems that you have entered another era.

So here is – My last day at West Highland Way. I hope you enjoy the end as much as I do.

The proof that sometimes spontaneous plans turn out to be the best.

The final day of Wesr Highland Way: Kinlochleven A Fort William

Distance: ~ 15 miles / 24 km
Land: Kinlochleven’s gradual rises in rocky roads, passing to wide tracks and a single single. An optional final secondary search for the remains of an old fort with radical views of Ben Nevis.
Highlights: Lock Leven Viewpoint, landscape of open lands, chatting with other hikers, views of Ben Nevis and celebrating at the official Fort William.

Fast summary of day 11 (The last day at West Highland Way!)

Feeling currently: A little sad say goodbye to life, but proud, full and deeply grateful for this adventure.

3 good things that happened today:
– Share trail stories with an incredible hiker called Tom de Sussex
– Ben Nevis views that emerge from behind the clouds
– Pizza, beers and our first magic of the path – The perfect end to this trip

My last day at West Highland Way

I woke up at 7:30 am after another night of dreamy, I checked my fitbit and I couldn’t believe it … 10 hours again! This walk is doing wonders for my dream and the nervous system, thank you West Highland Way and comfortable beds! Steve and Jayne, our lovely B&B hosts in Bank House, prepared a delicious breakfast. He had hunted eggs with smoked salmon, and Orion went for the complete Scottish (he has literally had it every morning, he loves the black sausage and haggis!) We were the only guests who stayed there, and it was such a calm and relaxed morning. Breakfast was not included, but it was worth £ 12.50 each.

We review around 10 in the morning and go to the city on a mission: Passport Stamp. It turns out that this was a greater challenge than expected and took some hunting. They told us that some locations in the city would seal passports, but none of them did. But finally I scored one at the Macdonald hotel at the beginning of the path, thanks to a very patient receptionist who digs to find the seal. I was definitely the first hiker of the season asking for a stamp! That was great.

In the wind and let’s

Stephen recommended the Bank House B&B to take a small side path to reach the point of view of Lake Lake. Then, after a long and constant climb of Kinlochleven with strong winds (easily 20 mph gusts) while we walk uphill on wide gravel roads, we arrive on the side path towards the point of view. The views were beautiful and panoramic, and added one side of the adventure with the winds while trying not to be flown in the lake!

Today’s route was mainly in Forest Road and Open Rocky Track, with some beautiful sinuous synchronization sections through the hills. We pass some old stone ruins, many sheep and views of the open highlands. Despite the wind, I felt quite warm in my leggings, which was good because I had definitely packed light.

Views like this make the climb (and the Windburn) worth it.

A fellow hiker and a final secondary search

Approximately half the day, we met a co -fellow experienceist of West Highland Way appointed Thomas of Sussex, who now lived in St. Andrews. We ended up walking and chatting for a while, exchanging stories about his time at the Whw and our PCT experience, which dreams of walking someday. I loved listening to his adventures camping in West Highland Way, which I would love to do next time. It was such a pleasant moment. Being a little out of season, we had not seen many other hikers lately, and felt to the ground to connect.

Before descending to Fort William, we take a small diversion of 1 mile to Dun Deardail, a strong burnt burned burnt, perhaps built 2,000 years ago. It was an steep climb, but the views of Ben Nevis From the top they were impressive. The mountain had been hiding all week, and now, in our final stretch, it was finally seen in all its glory.

A surprise detour that gave us history, connection and an impressive last view.

The false finish … and the real

As we approached the city, it seemed that it could rain, and I felt a little sadness thinking that we could break our dry climate streak. But the gods of the path were kind. The clouds remained.

We arrive at what we thought It was the end and found Tom and his father hugging and celebrating. His father had flown from London to meet him, so sweet. It turns out that this was the original finishing line. The officer was still half a distance, in the center of the city of high street. Tom joked went to guide hikers around the city for tourism. That seems fine to me. I was already thinking of pizza and beer.

Fort William loved it. We walked through the pedestrian streets lined with stores, pubs and even a small cinema. Finally we arrive at the marker West Highland Way, right in the city center. He felt surreal to be there, soaking everything, while the locals walked and offered congratulations.

There was a right pub called Black Isle Bar, and we joined Tom and his father for celebration and pizza beers. We received our only magic of trails of the entire walk: Tom’s father treated us to Pizza and beers. It was the perfect way to celebrate: sit along with new friends, share stories and soak everything.

Half at the official end, feeling all the sensations on the last day of West Highland Way.

What way to finish

That night, Orion and I returned to our guest house (Guisachan guest house) in the city, full, happy and tired in the best way. My legs hurt, my heart was full and I already knew that I would relive this trip in my mind in the coming weeks.

There is something special in finishing a long distance walk. It is not loud or striking. There are no large crowds or medals. Just a quiet change, as your body knows that something special is over, and something new is starting. It costs you at the time after the walk: the first hot meal, the sound of a shower, the feeling of stillness in the legs.

In the last 96 miles, I had seen lakes and valleys, wild deer and moody skies. I had felt the sting of the wind on my cheeks and the heat of the unexpected sun. I met the kind strangers, ate paths of paths on the mountain and went to bed with foot pain and a happy heart. And I did everything without a single rainy day – A true Scottish miracle!

T -shirts like this not only show you the landscape, but they show you who you are when life slows down. When all you have to do is wake up, walk, eat, rest and repeat. I will carry that simplicity long after the dust of the path is washed.

West Highland Way – You’ve been an absolute jewel.

It all started here, and now I see how far I have come.