Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven

*** To help you follow the route with confidence we provide these route notes to help you. The West Highland Way is well waymarked, but we strongly suggest that you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day.  The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***

Follow the road between Bridge of Orchy Hotel and Stance cottage. Cross the bridge to follow the trail into the forest and ascend to the viewpoint at Mam Carraigh – a great place to spot birds of prey soaring above the moor. 

Descend on the trail to the remote Inveroran Hotel and turn left to join the single-track road, taking care of traffic as you follow this quiet country road for 1.50 km. At Forest Lodge, where river flows into Loch Tulla, the Way picks up an old Drove Road and continues along the base of the Black Mount Munros before crossing the edge of the Rannoch Moor and winding its way between small lochans to cross the Ba Bridge.  The scenery on this section of the West Highland Way is spectacular even on cloudy days the low light lends a special moodiness to the ancient landscape. 

After Ba Bridge ascend slightly on a good path keeping a look out for the pyramidal peak of the much photographed and iconic mountain of Buachaille Etive Mor (“meaning Great Herdsman of Etive”). The sheer dark grey face boasts a multitude of popular traditional rock-climbing routes, while hillwalkers normally approach the ascent from the north on a well-built and less intimidating path.  The Way skirts the base of Meall Bhuiridh (1108m), the Munro that’s home to the Glencoe Ski Centre.  At 17.60 km turn right to walk down the minor road leading up to the ski centre, and with great care cross the A82 (this is a busy road with a speed limit of 60 mph) to continue on the trail towards Kingshouse. 

Approach Kingshouse Hotel from the SE, pass the bunk houses and head into the hotel for some well-earned rest, recuperation, and refreshments !

If you leave from the entrance to the small walkers/climber’s bar at the eastern end of Kingshouse Hotel turn left.  Soon you’ll cross a stone bridge and follow the track to a T-junction, turn left again and follow the signs for the West Highland Way with excellent views of Buachaille Etive Mor on an old road.  Make sure you don’t miss the signposted turn off to the right onto a narrow path.  Follow this path as it traverses the hillside towards Glencoe, keeping the A82 on your left-hand side.  After a small clump of pine trees the path swings right to ascend the side of the glen – this is the iconic Devils Staircase.  Ascend on stone steps to gain the top, at 26.10 km into your day’s walk, for wonderful views of Loch Leven to the west, Blackwater Reservoir to the east and the Nevis Range mountains to the north.

From the high point (550m) traverse the slopes of Stob Mhic Mhartuin from where it’s a steady descent, for 8 km, into Kinlochleven. After the open space of the Rannoch Moor enjoy the change of scenery as you walk along forest trails and tracks leading into the village.  Make sure to look behind you up at the steep slopes of the Aonach Eagach Ridge – a popular scrambling route with seasoned walkers in the summer months and mountaineers in the winter. 

At 33.20 km cross the River Leven and turn left to enter the village via a residential area, following the West Highland Way into the village centre – the track today finishes outside the Tailrace Inn.  Please see your tailored accommodation for specific accommodation directions.