Later this year I'm going to be heading off walking the West Highland Way. Doing a somewhat typical 7 day approach, camping. 5 of the days I'm happy with, its just 4 and 5 I'm unsure of, from Inveranan to Kingshouse.
My initial plan was Inveranan to Bridge of Orchy, and then Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse, giving me a 19 mile then 12 mile day. With reasoning that it meant I could use a bunkhouse after the longest day as a treat, then have a fairly short day over one of the wilder sections of the walk.
Its then been suggest I change that I change and walk to Tyndrum on the first day and then onto Kingshouse. With would make the 2nd day about 19 miles. With the logic that there is more to do in Tyndrum if arriving early.
I'm not the fastest walker, and would welcome any thoughts?
Also anyone know what the reception for campers is like at the Kingshouse hotel? I've heard it vary between absolutely welcome, to not at all
was going to recommend bridge of orchy to kingshouse by a better route, but you said your a slow walker so it sounds like you wouldn't be able to tackle the route.
The Route is Bridge of Orchy, Forest Lodge, Couloir Buttress, Stob Ghabhar, Aonach Mor, Clach Leathad, Meall a Bhuiridh, Ski Centre, Kingshouse then get a room and get stuck into Kingshouse's bar which has a good range of single of malts.
Anyway hope you enjoy WHW, It was my first ever walk, i tackled it in Feb a week after having a heart attack, inspite the odd blizzard and carrying too much weight the part of the WHW between Inveranan to kingshouse is a very easy section.
My initial plan was Inveranan to Bridge of Orchy, and then Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse, giving me a 19 mile then 12 mile day. With reasoning that it meant I could use a bunkhouse after the longest day as a treat, then have a fairly short day over one of the wilder sections of the walk.
Its then been suggest I change that I change and walk to Tyndrum on the first day and then onto Kingshouse. With would make the 2nd day about 19 miles. With the logic that there is more to do in Tyndrum if arriving early. I'm not the fastest walker, and would welcome any thoughts?
Also anyone know what the reception for campers is like at the Kingshouse hotel? I've heard it vary between absolutely welcome, to not at all Thanks
Bridge of Orchy is a lovely spot and the bunkhouse is very comfortable (better, in fact that the Rowardennan YH). I didn't stay in Tyndrum when I walked the WHW last Autumn so can't comment.
If you are not the fastest walker, have you done a few practice days of 19 miles with your wildcamping kit to check that it is possible? The walking is pretty good between Tyndrum and Kingshouse so however you split the 2 days probably does not make much difference; you're going to get a long day and a shorter one.
Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy is pretty flat and the military road makes the going easy underfoot (unless you wear those Inov8 slippers that are currently fashionable - then you will feel every pebble). There is a climb from Bridge of Orchy but it's not hard and after reaching Inveroran, it's easy going to Kingshouse, albeit across some exposed terrain that apparently gets interesting in foul weather.
The Kingshouse Hotel seems to be ambivalent towards wildcampers - there was a sign requesting them not to use the lavatories but I assume that their cash was welcome in the Climbers' Bar.
Whatever you decide, enjoy as it's a great stretch of the WHW - far more interesting than the slog through the woods alongside Loch Lomond.
I did, though not specifically as prep, 75 miles over 7 days through the Lakes from valley to valley using the passes last year with some pretty foul weather. Which was admittedly without tent, but then I've learnt packing lessons from that so it shouldnt be a vast weight differential, and its a flatter walk so overall I dont think its too much of an issue, 19 miles is longer than any one day I did there (which was 17 miles on day 6, but had 3 notable climbs). Dont worry, I'm planning on using my well worn Berghaus boots, they are as comfortable as slippers (tempting fate maybe)but stout as can be
Thanks for the advice, I'm inclining towards the original plan of Bridge of Orchy, based on the advice.
A lot of interesting advice. We have planned to do an 8 day walk in May and have taken a lot of hints and tips on board. One thing I haven't seen is whether there is a map of the route? If indeed a map is needed or is it so well marked that you can just follow the way markings.
Kingshouse is great stage on the Way - I stayed in the hotel a couple of week's ago and the staff are great.
I guess the challenge they have with the wild campers is that rules are set to deal with the lowest common denominator of camper. For example campers using guests rooms when they are at breakfast!
Facilities are available in the Climber's Bar in teh evening and they are not strict about you having to spend money in teh bar first. No facilities availble in the morning.
Thanks for all the advice guys, just got back. Sadly I had to pull out at 2 1/2 days.
About a mile out of Milngavie I felt a twinge in my neck, probably just a pulled muscle, rest of the day was easy enough,taking it slower than planned in the heat. Next day over to Rowardennen, again not rocket pace but consistent going, but out of Balmaha the pain in my really started increasing, slogged on but took 4 hours from Balmaha to Rowardennen! Had a fab campspot, and made excellent pace on the wide forest tracks, but as soon it got more up and down, I feel pain in an old back injury, which combined with the way I was having to nurse my neck, killed my pace completely, given it was another 4 1/2 days, I made the decision at Inversnaid, that the risk of turning both injuries into something nasty was too high and honourably pulled out.
Given it was 4 1/2 days left, and the whole late spring, summer and autumn walking season to go, I didnt want to have a serious injury that lost me months of walking. I lost last autumn from a knee injury and didnt want another set of months laid up. Its reassuring to know that the walk is definitely within my ability, as when I felt fine, I made really good time, even with a heavy pack compared to most on the walk.
Had a lovely week on Skye to chill, and the weather has been amazing. With the pain in my neck as I chilled, definitely made the right decision to quit early
Was a nice walk, and the spirit of people along the way is brilliant, will definitely go back some time when I'm fit again, but I did feel it had a certain conveyor belt feel to it, so will do more of my designed walks for the time being.
Bad luck GP - it's a bugger when something like that happens.
I had a similar problem when I walked it last Autumn. I got a shin splint descending Conic Hill on the second day and by the time I limped into Rowardennan I was almost in tears from the pain and the knowledge that I wouldn't be able to walk the whole distance.
I rested up for a day in the Drovers' Inn and then walked to Crianlarich the following day but even those few miles were agony. I bought some wide adhesive strapping tape in Crianlarich and simply strapped the whole lower leg from just behind the toes to mid-calf and by God it worked. It was a bit uncomfortable but at least I could walk. The most painful bit was taking the tape off at the end of each day - I can see why women make a fuss about leg waxing.
The annoying thing was that I had done practice walks over much rougher terrain than the WHW and had no problems whatsoever.
Bad luck GP, I hope you recover quickly and manage to get back on the route before too long.
I did the WHW in May as a warm-up for the TGO Challenge. I found the Kingshouse (which I wasn't looking forward to due to it's reputation) to be welcoming. The beer was excellent, the chips were good and the staff were very friendly - although the camping wasn't brilliant.
On the other hand I found the Bridge of Orchy bunkhouse quite unwelcoming and expensive. It had no kitchen to speak of: a room with a kettle, a microwave oven and a sink - no plates or utensils, not even a cloth to clean up after yourself. The owners are understandably keen for visitors to eat in the rather expensive hotel restaurant. There are camping opportunities beyond the hotel.
I heard from other walkers that the Inversnaid Bunkhouse to similarly poor facilities - no kitchen.
The Inversnaid Hotel came up trumps! The weather was truly awful that day and the barman was quite happy for walkers to eat their butties in the bar - provided of course that beer / tea / coffee were bought from the hotel. What a star!
I found the walk to be very pleasant and would certainly recommend it to others.
). There is a climb from Bridge of Orchy but it's not hard and after reaching Inveroran, it's easy going to Kingshouse, albeit across some exposed terrain that apparently gets interesting in foul weather.
