How many days does the West Highland Way take?

Most people take six or seven days to walk the West Highland Way, which gives them a week's holiday with travel at either end. The official route website says the same, and publishes itineraries of five, six and seven days for the 96 miles (154 km) from Milngavie, just north of Glasgow, to Fort William.

The faster plans are not simply the same walk at a brisker pace. A five-day trip means four days of around 20 miles, so you will spend most of the daylight walking, and arrive with little left for the views.

The official plans, side by side

Here are the stops on three of the published itineraries. There is a second seven-day plan on the official site, which has one long day from Tyndrum to Kingshouse followed by a short one to Kinlochleven.

Rounded mileages as published on westhighlandway.org, which gives miles only for these itineraries.

Which pace suits you?

Five days is for people already used to walking 20 miles back to back with a pack, or carrying only a daypack with their bags sent on. Blisters and sore knees are harder to recover from when the next morning asks for another 20.

Six days is the efficient choice if you have limited leave. Its long first day is on easy ground, but you should still train for it.

Seven days suits most people who have not done a long-distance walk before. The days are shorter, you can stop and look at things, and there is slack if the weather turns. A seven-day plan with one extra rest day is even better, if you can spare it. Fort William is also a good base for a day on Ben Nevis, though few walkers feel like climbing it the day after finishing.

What the stages feel like

The official site explains why almost everybody walks south to north: the early stages are easier and prepare you for the harder ones further on. It also means you have the weather at your back more often than not, and the mountains ahead of you.

The first day is mostly gentle countryside. The first real climb, over Conic Hill, comes between Drymen and Balmaha. After Rowardennan the path along the east side of Loch Lomond becomes rough and rooty, with some scrambling over rocks towards Inverarnan. Expect slower progress than the mileage suggests.

North of Tyndrum the country opens up. Between Inveroran and Kingshouse the route crosses the edge of Rannoch Moor on an old road, a fine walk on a clear day and an exposed one in wind and rain, with no shelter between the two. From Kingshouse you climb the Devil's Staircase on the way to Kinlochleven, and then the last day takes you up and through the long, empty Lairig Mor to Glen Nevis, finishing in Fort William.

Things to sort out before you choose dates

Beds. The official site advises booking at any time of year, because some areas have few places to stay. May is the most popular month and puts pressure on accommodation, and at busy times it suggests not starting on a Saturday. Decide your stops before you book, because a change to one night can unpick the rest.

Bags. Baggage transfer companies move bags between overnight stops for a fee, which makes the longer days much more manageable. Book that early too.

Midges. The official site says they are usually a problem from June to August. Spring and autumn avoid the worst of them, and our guide to midges and ticks covers the rest.

Camping. The route allows for wild camping under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, but byelaws apply in parts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park from March to September. Check these before you plan those nights.

Dogs. Dogs are welcome under proper control. The enclosed fields before Conic Hill close to them during lambing, typically from mid-April to the end of May, with a signposted alternative that adds no time or distance.

Getting there and back. Milngavie has a frequent train from Glasgow, and Fort William is on the West Highland Line. That same railway stops at Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy, all close to the route, so stepping off early with an injury is more practical than you might expect.

Before you leave, check the Notices section of the official website for any diversions or works.

If you only have a long weekend

You do not have to do it all in one go. The official site also lists two-day to four-day sections for short breaks. The northern half from Tyndrum has the biggest scenery. The southern half, along Loch Lomond, is easier to reach by public transport from Glasgow. Walk a section this year, and you will have a much better idea of what pace to book for the rest.