A comprehensive guide to Scotland's West Highland Way this spring and summer
The West Highland Way, which runs from Milngavie to Fort William, is one of Scotland's most enchanting walking routes.
From breathtaking scenery to stunning wildlife, the popular long-distance hiking trail has it all.
If you're looking to explore the great outdoors this summer and spring, here is everything you need to know about the West Highland Way.
The West Highland Way is around 96 miles in length. (Image: Getty)
The West Highland Way is around 96 miles (154km) in length and generally takes six to eight days to complete, according to Wilderness Scotland.
The Alpine Exploratory adds that the route is "not technically difficult" and is suitable for normally fit walkers.
However, for short stretches of the walk, parts of the route become rockier and steeper than normal, providing some difficulty for visitors.
For those looking to set up a tent at a campsite, there are a number of options available, including Ben Nevis Holiday Park near Fort William and Blackwater Glamping. You can find more campsites at Campsites.co.uk.
For those looking to spend the night in a hotel or hostel, there are also plenty of options to choose from.
Balmaha Bunkhouse on the banks of Loch Lomond and Kingshouse Bunkhouse near Glencoe are among the backpacker options listed by Independent Hostels.
King's House Hotel near Glencoe and the Oak Tree Inn by Loch Lomond are also some of the hotel options available to visitors. Find out more on the Booking.com website.
Here are some things to consider when traversing the West Highland Way:
Ticks and Lyme Disease: Parasitic insects like ticks are common in much of the West Highlands, with these carrying a number of diseases such as Lyme disease.
Preventative measures would include walking in the middle of the path, keeping your arms and legs covered, the use of insect repellent, checking skin and clothes carefully and wearing light-coloured fabrics to more easily spot these pests.
Take the right equipment: Ensuring you have the right equipment when completing the route is also key. According to Tiso, walkers should carry sunscreen and lip protection in the summer months, large water bottles (2 litres), appropriate clothes for rainy weather, walking shorts, waterproof hiking boots and sunglasses.
Water safety: Along the route, there are large bodies of water, such as Loch Lomond, that can be tempting places to cool off in after hours of walking in the sun.
However, visitors can run into trouble in even shallow waters, as the depth changes can be extreme and unexpected.
Walkers should take time to read the signage to ensure they are acting safely. Find out more on the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park website.
What are the wild camping rules in Scotland and can I use a disposable BBQ?
What are the rules and exceptions around the 'right to roam' in Scotland?
Here is your comprehensive guide to Scotland's NC500 this spring and summer
The West Highland Way Race is one of the "longest established ultra-marathons," according to organisers.
The race covers the long-distance trail from Milngavie to Fort William and attracts runners from across Scotland and the world.
Entry to the race is limited to 300 runners a year, which helps to preserve the surrounding landscape.
Those wanting to volunteer for the 38th edition of the race in June can do so by visiting the West Highland Way Race website.
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The Peek-A-Boo and Spooky Gulch loop near Escalante, Utah, in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is one of the most popular beginner-friendly options. This three-mile route winds through sculpted sandstone, with playful climbs, squeezes and narrow passages — but no technical gear required. Peek-A-Boo greets you with smooth, swirling walls and natural steps, while Spooky Gulch challenges you with tight corridors where backpacks — and sometimes bodies — need to shimmy sideways to get through. The trickiest obstacle is a 12-foot climb to enter Peek-A-Boo, but solid handholds and good footing make it manageable. Because it's a loop, you can explore both canyons without backtracking. For those who want to ease into slot canyon hiking — or simply leave the logistics to someone else — guided trips offer an excellent alternative. Companies like Utah Canyon Outdoors and Wildland Trekking provide safety, gear, route knowledge and local insights, making it easier to focus on the experience without the stress of navigating on your own. Slot canyons are carved by water — and can be flooded by it in an instant. 'People hear 'flash flood' and think giant walls of water,' says Snow. 'But even a relatively small amount can be deadly.' The danger? Many hikers only check the weather at the trailhead. But flash floods can be triggered by storms miles away. Buckskin Gulch, for example, drains from the Paunsaugunt Plateau near Bryce Canyon over 100 miles away, meaning a storm there can send water cascading through the canyon long after skies clear near the entrance. 'Check the weather for the entire drainage,' says Snow. 'Not just where you're standing.' Flash floods have caused fatalities in recent years, including two hikers who died in Buckskin Gulch in 2023. Even experienced hikers can be caught off guard by storms miles away. 'You might have blue skies above you,' says Snow, 'but if it's raining 50 miles away, that water can still come barreling through.' Slot canyons may feel still and silent, but they're full of surprises. Their shady, sheltered walls offer refuge for desert wildlife — from rattlesnakes and insects to the occasional tarantula. 'Slot canyons are shady places, so wildlife takes refuge there,' Snow explains. She once joked about tarantulas 'raining from the sky,' but it's usually just a spider dropping from a ledge — startling, not dangerous. (Tarantulas aren't considered dangerous to humans; their bite is mild and rarely causes more than minor irritation.) While rare, these encounters are reminders to stay alert and tread thoughtfully. Then there's the terrain: narrow passages, slick rock and puddles that can be deeper than expected, sometimes even requiring a swim. Water hazards and the occasional patch of quicksand are also possible, especially after storms. Trekking poles help with balance and testing depth, and sturdy shoes — and a sense of humor — go a long way. 'Some people turn around at the first puddle,' Snow says. 'But if this is your once-in-a-lifetime chance? Get in the puddle.' Clery adds that most injuries come from people hopping off short ledges. 'Even a two-foot jump can lead to a twisted ankle. If you're wedged in a narrow canyon with a busted leg, getting out becomes a whole new problem.' Spring and late fall are generally the safest times to visit. Summer monsoon season (late July through September) can bring flash floods, especially in places like Buckskin. Even in dry months, storms can build quickly. 'Start early,' says Clery. 'In summer, we're on the trail by 6:30 a.m.. That gives us time to get in and out before the heat and storms hit.' And if the weather — or your gut — says something feels off? 'Be flexible,' he says. 'Have a Plan B. Nature gets the final word.' A little homework goes a long way. Try to narrow down what kind of experience you're after — short and scenic, longer and challenging, guided or solo. Check with local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offices, visitor centers, outdoor shops or guide services for advice and current conditions. And grab a paper map — cell service can be unreliable, and batteries die. Permits are required for both day hikes and overnight trips in the Buckskin and Paria Canyon area, and both are available through A $6 day-use permit covers hikes like the popular Wire Pass route, while overnight trips into Paria Canyon require a separate permit, limited to 20 people per day. Spots can fill fast, so it's smart to plan ahead. Be sure to pack plenty of water — at least one liter per hour in summer — plus salty snacks, sun protection, a basic first-aid kit and blister care. 'Desert hiking is slow, and you need to prepare for extra time,' Clery says. 'We measure canyons in hours, not miles.' The rise in slot canyon popularity has brought an uptick in damage, from graffiti on petroglyphs to improperly buried waste. 'People have carved their names over 8,000-year-old rock art,' Snow says. 'It's ignorance, not malice, but it's heartbreaking.' Snow urges hikers to carry wag bags for human waste, use Kula cloths (reusable antimicrobial pee cloths), and pack out everything — especially toilet paper and your own poop. 'Nothing breaks down here,' she says. 'It's the desert. It'll be here forever.' Your decisions can have unintended consequences long after you leave. Even camping comes with a lasting impact. A single off-road vehicle can create a new track others will follow, slowly turning wild land into a road. Clery's advice? Stick to established sites. Stay on durable surfaces. And if you really love a place, pick up someone else's trash on your way out. Because in the end, exploring slot canyons isn't just about seeing something beautiful — it's about being part of something bigger. It's about traveling with intention, moving with care, and respecting the delicate power of these hidden places. But wherever you go, says Clery, 'Don't expect to just show up and be spoon-fed a view. Slot canyons are immersive. They're humbling. They make you pay attention — and in return, they give you something unforgettable.'
