Sore feet on the final journey

It’s early morning on our last day. The sunrise each day at 4 a.m. has been a battle for my circadian rhythm. Today in particular I woke up early with the excitement mixed with the sadness of the end of our trip. Sugar Sand complains that I’m the one waking her up, but I know she’s thinking about the distance today. The trail description tells us that halfway up we will have a glorious view of the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis. I suggest we hit the goal set for the first half of the miles and then sit down to eat with a view of Ben Nevis. Stretching and resting has proven to be the key to success.

What the hell am I walking?

Our host at the B&B gives us a quick rundown of our walk today and adds that every year the entire town does this part of the walk together. The oldest person who does it annually is 86 years old. So starting the day with a dose of reality and shame, we quickly ascend the trail out of town. Today’s hike is rated What the Fuck by Sugar Sand!

Looking back at Kinlochleven as we leave town

Walk through the valley

Everyone left early today because it is expected to be sunny and hot. Also, storms are expected tonight, so we are trying to beat the weather. Today I’m hiking about a mile past Sugar Sand and met different groups of hikers that I hadn’t met before. I hike with Cyndy from Virginia, who is hiking with three others from her hiking group. She likes me, walks in front and keeps a quick pace as if we are afraid to stop. We chatted for a while and found out that he will be on vacation in my hometown next month. I can pass on information about beaches and restaurants for your next stay. We also met Molly from Ireland who is quite fast and when we came to a cattle gate that appears to be stuck she jumped over the fence to the other side to open it. In fact, he’d probably still be there if it weren’t for Molly. The valley road continues with some uphills and then downhills. Mountains surround us creating views for miles around.

At about 7.5 miles I’m nowhere near Sugar Sand, so I stop for a snack. Once I restart, I pass two hikers and they ask if I’m Maureen. I answer yes and they tell me that they have been following the blog. You recognize the Highland Coo in my backpack from the photographs. They’ve been enjoying it and wondering if we’re on the path I was on and now they’ve bumped into Humphrey and me. We chatted for a moment before moving on.

Amanda and David fellow hikers

Along the way we all stop to see them both. A Bothy is usually a stone structure that some hikers use for camping, but in this case the Bothy has no roof. It is part of Scotland’s past and we enjoyed exploring it.

both

Inside both

As I continue on I decide to stop at a stream to soak my feet. I have promised myself this gift and take advantage of the time to wait for Sugar Sand. Before I know it, Sugar Sand arrives and we enjoy a snack before moving on.

soaking in stream

Humphrey enjoying the day

Push Up Sore Feet Bench

The path now takes us through some tall pastures and we find some solace in the return of the sheep and the cadence of our feet on the ground. Although the slopes still appear, they are bearable and descents are not a problem today. Today’s goal is the end of the trail, which is a bench in Fort William with a sculpture of a hiker with sore feet. Before we get there, we have to choose between a second high road or a low road for the last 2 miles. The main path was recently added to allow hikers to finish the trail in the woods just as we have hiked it. The low road takes you along 2 miles of trail with cars zipping past hikers.

Before we can make the big decision, we are in awe of the giant before us. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, is a destination in itself. It takes approximately 8 hours to climb Ben Nevis and unfortunately I won’t have time to climb this time. The view will follow us for the rest of the walk through Glen Nevis on a forest path.

Ben Nieves

Trail to Ben Nevis visible

The last kilometers make us all work hard to reach the goal. I would say that today’s walk, although promised to be strenuous, feels more like Jesus’ walk. Mary and Joseph follow the trail. However, not everyone around me agrees!

Finally we find the sign for the last two kilometers and we must choose the path to take. Sugar Sand has run out of water, so he chooses the low path where he can get more. I choose the high road.

High Road takes me up another 50 feet and then drops me 100 feet. I enjoy the wooded trail and reach a high point overlooking our destination of Fort William.

High road/low road

High Road Cow Trail Trail

Fort William is down

I keep moving forward, hoping to get off the road near Sugar Sand so we can finish together. As I descend towards the city, a young deer passes in front of me to give me the last moment of amazement. As I reach the road to follow the last steps of the trail, I see Sugar Sand a block ahead. I run to catch up with him, maybe at this point it was a difficulty to run. I catch up with her and ask her if she’s seen the gang of six today, and no. We wonder if they are in front of us or behind us. This last section takes us through a commercial pedestrian area. Finally we reached the bank of Sore Foot and heard a roar. The group of six is ​​sitting there awaiting our arrival and lets out a shout of joy! What an ending with these lovely traveling companions. We hugged him and then kicked out some non-hikers sitting on the illustrious bench for our final photos!

Sugar Sand and I at the finish line! Gordon Square Sore Feet Bench

Suddenly or maybe not so suddenly it’s done! The challenge has been overcome, wonderful memories have been made, and hiker’s pain amnesia is already taking hold. Not for Sugar Sand, she says she remembers every painful step but is proud of the achievement.

Everyone who sets out to go on a long walk has different goals. For Sugar Sand it was Scotland and her love of the people, the land and immersion in the culture. For me it was taking a full hike, immersing myself in the culture and the people we met along the way. But it was also a step towards my planned future. So to anyone who doubts your abilities, I say shake those demons off your back, get off the trainer, and walk your first mile. Maybe you’ll even wake up one day on the West Highland Way!

celebration beer

Original end of the Trail (approximately one mile from the current Sore Feet Bank)

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