West Highland Way
Discussion
A pal & I are heading to Glasgow on Monday for an early start Tuesday to start the WHW. We are doing it in 2 days with an overnight in Crianlarich. Any PH’ers done it ? Anything to look forward to ? (whiskey in Fort William) or dread ?( hike a bike around Lomond) . Any tips & hints ?
Ta.
Ta.
I'll wave as you pass. I live less than a mile from the start. Tips? When you pass Rowerdennan and get to Ptarmigan Lodge there is two alternates. The shore path or staying on the forestry track. Do not take the shore option. Stay on the track until it finishes.
After Inversnaid you will be doing a bit of carrying.This sort of stuff.
Once you get to Inverarnan the worst is over.
After Bridge of Orchy how much of a purist do you want to be? The ride round the shore on the single track tarmac road is pleasant and fast. Plenty gravel to come crossing Rannoch Moor so no need to ride over the hill from Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran unless you really want to ride every inch of "the route". In which case you'll be riding the shore path at Loch Lomond as well..
I was camped on that shore section at Loch Lomomd a year or so ago when three mountain bikers came by well spaced out. The second two didn't look as if they were having fun.
After Inversnaid you will be doing a bit of carrying.This sort of stuff.
Once you get to Inverarnan the worst is over.
After Bridge of Orchy how much of a purist do you want to be? The ride round the shore on the single track tarmac road is pleasant and fast. Plenty gravel to come crossing Rannoch Moor so no need to ride over the hill from Bridge of Orchy to Inveroran unless you really want to ride every inch of "the route". In which case you'll be riding the shore path at Loch Lomond as well..
I was camped on that shore section at Loch Lomomd a year or so ago when three mountain bikers came by well spaced out. The second two didn't look as if they were having fun.
Edited by irc on Friday 21st April 00:25
Done it a few time, its ok but instead of next time I’d probably go to a bike park 
The hikeabike is fine, just have to get through it. Be prepared for hikers asking if you know what you're doing
IIRC, irc is right about keeping high - saves a lot of grief but can be seen as a shortcut (if you care about that type of thing, I don’t).
Don’t fall in.
The ride down by Glencoe is more fun than it looks.
Know your escape routes to the road should the worst happen, there are a few.
What’s the midge forecast, I can’t remember the seasons.
ETA: If you haven’t done already, might want to try carrying your bike on your shoulders
ETAA: what bike are you taking?
The hikeabike is fine, just have to get through it. Be prepared for hikers asking if you know what you're doing
IIRC, irc is right about keeping high - saves a lot of grief but can be seen as a shortcut (if you care about that type of thing, I don’t).
Don’t fall in.
The ride down by Glencoe is more fun than it looks.
Know your escape routes to the road should the worst happen, there are a few.
What’s the midge forecast, I can’t remember the seasons.
ETA: If you haven’t done already, might want to try carrying your bike on your shoulders
ETAA: what bike are you taking?
Edited by Catastrophic Poo on Friday 21st April 09:01
Thanks for the tips….
CPoo mentions it’s best to “stay high” . Is this the point at Ptarmigan Lodge? The forest track the much better option ?
Midges, I think we’ll be ok as they’re not about as much in
April.
Bike? A Scott Spark, so 130mm travel at either end, dropper post etc. It’s light for what it is & just under 13kg with the luggage attached. I’ve put a 30t upfront to make things as easy as possible for as long as possible.
Thanks again !
CPoo mentions it’s best to “stay high” . Is this the point at Ptarmigan Lodge? The forest track the much better option ?
Midges, I think we’ll be ok as they’re not about as much in
April.
Bike? A Scott Spark, so 130mm travel at either end, dropper post etc. It’s light for what it is & just under 13kg with the luggage attached. I’ve put a 30t upfront to make things as easy as possible for as long as possible.
Thanks again !
Bike sounds like a good choice.
I’m talking about the bit after the youth hostel, you can spin up the fire read for a while or drop down low, I’d guess it cuts out half the bad section? IRC will know.
I’ve posted a Strava screenshot but it isnt showing for me here’s the direct link https://thumbsnap.com/sc/VR5gH6YR.jpg
I’m talking about the bit after the youth hostel, you can spin up the fire read for a while or drop down low, I’d guess it cuts out half the bad section? IRC will know.
I’ve posted a Strava screenshot but it isnt showing for me here’s the direct link https://thumbsnap.com/sc/VR5gH6YR.jpg
Edited by Catastrophic Poo on Friday 21st April 09:26
I did it years ago with a friend over two days and quite enjoyed it. I had a 26" hardtail so it must have been a while back. A 29er will eat most of the terrain up quite nicely. We stayed overnight in Tyndrum so not far along the road from Crianlarich. At least you will be warmed up before you get to the climb out of Tyndrum!
Walkers shouldn't be too bad at this time of year on a weekday. You can get through the many many gates near the start briskly if you do turn about on them. From memory, most are the type that can be pushed open without properly getting off your bike. The section at the top of the Devil's Staircase was nice from memory (rocky fun but not too technical).
The Loch Lomond hike a bike wasn't too bad so long as your bike doesn't weight a tonne (I'm a purist so we did the full traditional route)
We used one of the luggage carriers which was great, as it meant we only had to carry a lightweight day rucksack for snacks and spares. I'd not fancy pushing a heavily laden bike over the Loch Lomond-side section.
Keep an eye on the weather: it looks pretty cool for next week after the current lovely weather. Forecast is currently reasonably dry, but that cool NE breeze will be a bit energy sapping I'd imagine.
I'd be tempted to do it again sometime (probably in a day) if I can get fit enough again. Enjoy!
There aren't many spots for spares en route, so make sure you have plenty of tubes and a set of brake pads
Walkers shouldn't be too bad at this time of year on a weekday. You can get through the many many gates near the start briskly if you do turn about on them. From memory, most are the type that can be pushed open without properly getting off your bike. The section at the top of the Devil's Staircase was nice from memory (rocky fun but not too technical).
The Loch Lomond hike a bike wasn't too bad so long as your bike doesn't weight a tonne (I'm a purist so we did the full traditional route)
We used one of the luggage carriers which was great, as it meant we only had to carry a lightweight day rucksack for snacks and spares. I'd not fancy pushing a heavily laden bike over the Loch Lomond-side section.
Keep an eye on the weather: it looks pretty cool for next week after the current lovely weather. Forecast is currently reasonably dry, but that cool NE breeze will be a bit energy sapping I'd imagine.
I'd be tempted to do it again sometime (probably in a day) if I can get fit enough again. Enjoy!
There aren't many spots for spares en route, so make sure you have plenty of tubes and a set of brake pads
Edited by pixelmix on Friday 21st April 14:52
Edited by pixelmix on Friday 21st April 14:54
No midgies yet,
The path/track fork is at NN352009. But all you need to do is follow the fire road until it finishes.
It has been very dry here for a couple of weeks. So unless we get a lot of rain between now and next week the conditions will be very good. There is virtually no mud anywhere just now. All dried up.
After the Loch Lomond section the Drovers is worth a stop for a quick pint and/or food. Food a bit overpriced IMO but perhaps everywhere is like that now on the WHW.
https://www.droversinn.co.uk/
Edit -
Looking at their website I'll no longer be stopping for a quick shandy heading back from Glen Coe in the car.
" Our car park is for customers only. A £5 parking fee will be charged on arrival which is redeemable on food or drink orders over £20."
The path/track fork is at NN352009. But all you need to do is follow the fire road until it finishes.
It has been very dry here for a couple of weeks. So unless we get a lot of rain between now and next week the conditions will be very good. There is virtually no mud anywhere just now. All dried up.
After the Loch Lomond section the Drovers is worth a stop for a quick pint and/or food. Food a bit overpriced IMO but perhaps everywhere is like that now on the WHW.
https://www.droversinn.co.uk/
Edit -
Looking at their website I'll no longer be stopping for a quick shandy heading back from Glen Coe in the car.
" Our car park is for customers only. A £5 parking fee will be charged on arrival which is redeemable on food or drink orders over £20."
Edited by irc on Saturday 22 April 13:27
Crikey that wasn’t easy ! Some absolutely blinding bits & a fair chunk of unrideable horror :-)). Enjoyed Milngavie to Loch Lomond although the newly laid steps at the bottom of Conic Hill are sketchy. The second half of Lomond to Bienglas is horrible, felt like it would never end & lots of swearing ensued. Loved the descent into Kinlochleven & the pint at the Tailrace Inn. The climb out was tough & the old military road was much harder than it looked on the profile. So 2 fairly tough days, great memories, good food & ale & the weather was absolutely perfect on both days. Thanks again for the tips. Much obliged. 
Edited by andySC on Saturday 29th April 21:22
Brilliant. Well done. I’ve walked it some years back with my little tent. Slept in a bothy one night on the loch. . I guess the cycle route must deviate a bit from the walking path ? Or maybe not ?
Midges were awful on a morning and at night. You’ve no choice but to be inside. Not a chance of enjoying the outside.
Midges were awful on a morning and at night. You’ve no choice but to be inside. Not a chance of enjoying the outside.
austinsmirk said:
Brilliant. Well done. I’ve walked it some years back with my little tent. Slept in a bothy one night on the loch. . I guess the cycle route must deviate a bit from the walking path ? Or maybe not ?
Midges were awful on a morning and at night. You’ve no choice but to be inside. Not a chance of enjoying the outside.
The route is the same whether boots or bike. Thankfully no midges, it’s a reason we chose to go at this time of year as the bitey blighters are absent. Midges were awful on a morning and at night. You’ve no choice but to be inside. Not a chance of enjoying the outside.
Did you do the purist route. All the hard bits? For what it's worth the route was designed as a walking route. It is common sense to use the high track on Loch Lomondside and the 3 miles of singletrack road after Bridge of Orchy. IMO of course.
For what it's worth when I did the top half going south with my son we used the minor road for the first 5 miles skipping Glen Nevis. The route was just as scenic.
The C road south from Fort William.
Looking south from the top of the Devil's Staircase.
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The Buachaille. I've spent a days on those routes.
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We turned off at Auch Farm and went along Loch Lyon to Killin. Didn't another person for 20 miles.
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/7thgiJJ2.jpg[/img]|https://thumbsnap.com/7thgiJJ2[/url] <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/t18ZgSMS" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/t18ZgSMS.jpg)
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For what it's worth when I did the top half going south with my son we used the minor road for the first 5 miles skipping Glen Nevis. The route was just as scenic.
The C road south from Fort William.
Looking south from the top of the Devil's Staircase.
|https://thumbsnap.com/t18ZgSMS[/url]The Buachaille. I've spent a days on those routes.
[url]We turned off at Auch Farm and went along Loch Lyon to Killin. Didn't another person for 20 miles.
[url]Edited by irc on Friday 28th April 18:14
irc…we followed the thistle posts almost to the letter other than your diversion after Ptarmigan Lodge & we stayed high. We did the climb out of The Bridge of Orchy (the downhill was great) & we rewarded ourselves with a pint in the hotel bar after the decent (it was after 11am so why not?). It certainly is a walkers route as we never came across any other bikers. A pal of mine did it a few years ago at a crazy pace & this planted the idea in my mates head that he’d like a go…albeit at much more leisurely pace. I’d honestly never do it again as much as I enjoyed it but it was an experience that’s for sure.
Top of The Devils Staircase looking towards Kinlochleven waaaay down below !
Top of The Devils Staircase looking towards Kinlochleven waaaay down below !
Edited by andySC on Friday 28th April 20:15
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