I'm doing the west highland way this September, i have 2 weeks at my disposal, so I'm going to enjoy every minute of it, one pint per pub challenge too.
Done it 2019 and it was tuff but love it. Do not underestimate it, its got everything, wind, rain sunshine and wonderful people, much love from Ireland
Good video but mainly for people not living in the Uk, if you live here especially in the northern half ie northern England and Scotland the weather is a daily thing you get used to it hence the phrase “there is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing”. The green welly stop while fairly comprehensive is also very expensive so I’d suggest just using it as either an emergency gear replacement stop or to resupply for food, there is a small supermarket around the corner too. As for eating in Tyndrum apart from the green welly there is TJ’s diner and the real cafe both are good. Yes the trail is rocky but a lot of Uk trails are and especially in Scotland. If you want longer more challenging hikes look up the cape wrath trail or even the tgo challenge and if you really want long distance look up the john o groats to lands end trail.
Flipping grand!! Plan on hiking the WHW for 60th . I completed the AT in 86, I live in PA hiking in ADKS and Whites. You answered so many questions! Thank you for sharing. trail on! 🥾TnT
hahah "be prepared for constant rain" - the hold all phrase for walking in the UK! Done lots of walking in Scotland but never actually got round to the WHW, and bless the scottish midge....I tend to try and think of it as extra protein. West Highland way is on the list for next year after Two moors way this year as warm up!May take the Caledonian sleeper up there for the full experience. Lovely video.
Thank you. Such a lot of good advice. I backpacked the WHW 30-something years ago. Was soaked every day and eaten alive by midges but had a great time. If your viewers can go at end of April/early May they should avoid midges. Also, I think that’s the time of year when rainfall is at its lowest. I used the same map.
I’my home is not far from Fort William. Hard to get good weather at Ben Nevis. But this is a great hike. Bed and breakfast are cheap and friendly if you want to be high end 😉
Hiked the West Highland Way in August 2020. Perfect weather for an entire week! Experienced no rain at all. The day at Ben Nevis was also sunny and clear - people told me I was extremely lucky. The midgies though... terrible!
In Scotland Gore-Tex is your best friend. April is the best month for rainfall (ie, least rain, it actually gets rainier during the summer months) April is also usually outside the midge season, which is good, although in my experience the WHW isn't AS bad as other areas for midgies (try going out to Black Water Reservoir, remoter parts of Rannoch moor or NW highlands!!!). There has been an explosion in the number of ticks in recent years which is a bit annoying so you really need to watch you are doing these days when you have a sit down to rest. I've had snow blizzards in May on the WHW so you defo have to prepare for a wide range of weather conditions (on the other hand, it can also get very sticky due to the very high humidity levels so relatively low temps can sometimes feel very clammy and sweaty). Basically you'll be switching in and out layers multiple times on a hourly basis! My advice is to take it slowly. Why rush it when you can take it more leisurely? I always feel anything more than 15 mile days are asking for trouble in terms of foot care and annoying injuries. Keep your mileage down and keep your pack as light as possible. Also remember we have a lot of daylight in the summer months so you can easily hike up to about 10-11pm, even when it's relatively cloudy, so covering the miles generally isn't a problem, you really have all day.
As a Brit that has thru hiked the AT I can say that in no way is the WHW more rocky than the Pennsylvania rocky sections. Just look at the pic she shows when mentioning this, it's gravely path - as far as hiking goes in the UK the WHW paths are a breeze! Little to no boggy sections. The worst section is the constant up and downs over rocks and roots along the shore of Loch Lomond - that's more comparable to the PA rocks but it's only about a 10-15 mile section.
Yes, people underestimate the wet and cold of Scotland, year round. I've lived in Idaho, the high plains of New Mexico and the NE US. I've never been as cold for as long as when I lived in England and worked in the UK.
I've thought about doing this, but the weather seems pretty daunting. Rain, wind and cold are not my ideal to hike in, for sure. How do you keep your feet dry? And when your socks get wet, how do you avoid the blisters? I mean, if I had a pub or tavern every night to drink Scotch in, that might compensate. . .
Blisters is whole subject on its own check out a channel on here called blister prevention, it’s from Australia it’s excellent and the engo patches they recommend are well worth the money
Great tips all valid but tip for people wanting to avoid tourist traps only visit the green welly cafe before there have better cheaper food and the key store just after has ur juice n snacks at much better prices ... Quick edit to call that a restaurant is a joke it's set out on hot plates like a school cafeteria and the food is worse
all that is great, but what does nature get out of it.., and uk and the scott's are like northern canada where i'm from, but got shaved off, i live in the northern swamp lands ontario.
I'm doing the west highland way this September, i have 2 weeks at my disposal, so I'm going to enjoy every minute of it, one pint per pub challenge too.
Done it 2019 and it was tuff but love it. Do not underestimate it, its got everything, wind, rain sunshine and wonderful people, much love from Ireland
So beautiful
Good video but mainly for people not living in the Uk, if you live here especially in the northern half ie northern England and Scotland the weather is a daily thing you get used to it hence the phrase “there is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing”. The green welly stop while fairly comprehensive is also very expensive so I’d suggest just using it as either an emergency gear replacement stop or to resupply for food, there is a small supermarket around the corner too. As for eating in Tyndrum apart from the green welly there is TJ’s diner and the real cafe both are good.
Yes the trail is rocky but a lot of Uk trails are and especially in Scotland.
If you want longer more challenging hikes look up the cape wrath trail or even the tgo challenge and if you really want long distance look up the john o groats to lands end trail.
Flipping grand!! Plan on hiking the WHW for 60th . I completed the AT in 86, I live in PA hiking in ADKS and Whites. You answered so many questions!
Thank you for sharing. trail on! 🥾TnT
hahah "be prepared for constant rain" - the hold all phrase for walking in the UK! Done lots of walking in Scotland but never actually got round to the WHW, and bless the scottish midge....I tend to try and think of it as extra protein. West Highland way is on the list for next year after Two moors way this year as warm up!May take the Caledonian sleeper up there for the full experience. Lovely video.
Thoughtful tips! Makes me want to go back right now! Even though in the middle of it i was just ready to be done. Your hair is amazing!!
Lol it was funny how ready to be done I was BOTH times 😂 I started with such high hopes!
Thank you ❤️❤️
Delightful guide and tips. Thank you.
Thank you very much for all the great info on the hike.Looks really nice.Looking forward for more adwentures from your channel.
Thank you. Such a lot of good advice. I backpacked the WHW 30-something years ago. Was soaked every day and eaten alive by midges but had a great time. If your viewers can go at end of April/early May they should avoid midges. Also, I think that’s the time of year when rainfall is at its lowest. I used the same map.
Im going there this weekend
I’my home is not far from Fort William. Hard to get good weather at Ben Nevis. But this is a great hike. Bed and breakfast are cheap and friendly if you want to be high end 😉
Your videos are always so interesting and informative. Thank you!
Hiked the West Highland Way in August 2020. Perfect weather for an entire week! Experienced no rain at all. The day at Ben Nevis was also sunny and clear - people told me I was extremely lucky. The midgies though... terrible!
Lovely narrated video.
👍🏼 love the shirt 🇱🇻♥️🇱🇻
Excellent review! And what a pleasant person! Definitely adding this hike to my list. Cheers to the upcoming hiking season!
The West Coast is wetter that Whitney Houston last joint. However the east coast is surprisingly dry and has many great hikes.
Fantastic honest review 😂😂 I’m doing it on the 21st May, Taking 6 days, camping all the way, 3 campsites, 3 wild camps. Atb 🏕🏔🏴
Im doing it on the 22nd for 8 days
So lads……who won??? 😆
In Scotland Gore-Tex is your best friend. April is the best month for rainfall (ie, least rain, it actually gets rainier during the summer months) April is also usually outside the midge season, which is good, although in my experience the WHW isn't AS bad as other areas for midgies (try going out to Black Water Reservoir, remoter parts of Rannoch moor or NW highlands!!!). There has been an explosion in the number of ticks in recent years which is a bit annoying so you really need to watch you are doing these days when you have a sit down to rest. I've had snow blizzards in May on the WHW so you defo have to prepare for a wide range of weather conditions (on the other hand, it can also get very sticky due to the very high humidity levels so relatively low temps can sometimes feel very clammy and sweaty). Basically you'll be switching in and out layers multiple times on a hourly basis! My advice is to take it slowly. Why rush it when you can take it more leisurely? I always feel anything more than 15 mile days are asking for trouble in terms of foot care and annoying injuries. Keep your mileage down and keep your pack as light as possible. Also remember we have a lot of daylight in the summer months so you can easily hike up to about 10-11pm, even when it's relatively cloudy, so covering the miles generally isn't a problem, you really have all day.
As a Brit that has thru hiked the AT I can say that in no way is the WHW more rocky than the Pennsylvania rocky sections. Just look at the pic she shows when mentioning this, it's gravely path - as far as hiking goes in the UK the WHW paths are a breeze! Little to no boggy sections. The worst section is the constant up and downs over rocks and roots along the shore of Loch Lomond - that's more comparable to the PA rocks but it's only about a 10-15 mile section.
I have never heard the phrase wild camping before. Interesting.
That trail looks gorgeous! I wonder if footwear with rockplates in them would help with the impact of the rocky trail on feet
Looks like you genuinely enjoyed yourself.
It's a good trail , but for experienced hikers, The Cape Wrath Trail is the one to do in Scotland.
Yes, people underestimate the wet and cold of Scotland, year round. I've lived in Idaho, the high plains of New Mexico and the NE US. I've never been as cold for as long as when I lived in England and worked in the UK.
Ah, The Green Welly Stop, a great place to restock your whisky supply for the rest of the hike.
I've thought about doing this, but the weather seems pretty daunting. Rain, wind and cold are not my ideal to hike in, for sure. How do you keep your feet dry? And when your socks get wet, how do you avoid the blisters? I mean, if I had a pub or tavern every night to drink Scotch in, that might compensate. . .
Blisters is whole subject on its own check out a channel on here called blister prevention, it’s from Australia it’s excellent and the engo patches they recommend are well worth the money
Done that some 12 years ago in October: no insects!
Great tips all valid but tip for people wanting to avoid tourist traps only visit the green welly cafe before there have better cheaper food and the key store just after has ur juice n snacks at much better prices ... Quick edit to call that a restaurant is a joke it's set out on hot plates like a school cafeteria and the food is worse
It's a walk in the park
all that is great, but what does nature get out of it.., and uk and the scott's are like northern canada where i'm from, but got shaved off, i live in the northern swamp lands ontario.
Have a good day Ken Machine NC 😊 John 3 16 ❤️
lovely smile