The West Highland Way 2021 - Itinerary, Planning & Preparation
Itinerary
As with The Cumbria Way, planning the itinerary for this walk was fairly easy compared to other long distance paths we have completed. The 96 or so miles can be split into good bitesize chunks and therefore having mulled it over, I decided to keep roughly to the itinerary that I would be guiding next year. Therefore the planning would be based on a 7 day transit from south to north which is pretty much the standard itinerary for the route.
As with The Cumbria Way, planning the itinerary for this walk was fairly easy compared to other long distance paths we have completed. The 96 or so miles can be split into good bitesize chunks and therefore having mulled it over, I decided to keep roughly to the itinerary that I would be guiding next year. Therefore the planning would be based on a 7 day transit from south to north which is pretty much the standard itinerary for the route.
Planning & Preparation
The following notes are pretty generic to most long distance walking therefore are similar in text to other walks we have undertaken and have simply been altered as and when for each different walk.
We were arranging this walk at pretty short notice and out of season during the Winter. Therefore with most B&Bs along the route shutting up shop for the period we decided to base ourselves near Loch Lomond for the first three days of the walk and then move up to Crianlarich for the last 4 days. Logistically it was not possible for the 3 of us to complete the walk together, therefore I would be completing the walk on my own with Angie & Fudge dipping in and out as and when. Thankfully they were able to join me at the start and end of most days with Fudge also completing 3 days with me. This routine worked very well and both sets of accommodation, whilst markedly different were very good bases for the walk.
My itinerary therefore was as follows:
My itinerary therefore was as follows:
Accommodation
See "Research" below.
Fitness
Anyone undertaking a long distance walk should not underestimate how hard it really is. To prepare it is recommended that in the preceding months you get used to walking with weight on your shoulders (particularly if wild camping or you are not using baggage transfer) and for a significant distance. We also made sure we did plenty of cardio vascular exercise in the lead up to the walk. Additionally, it does help to stretch out the hamstring, calf, groin and quads before, during and after each days walking.
Feet
The most important aspect of any long distance walk is how you look after your feet. We have a regime for any walk we do and that is on a daily basis tape up any areas of your feet which have suffered blisters/rubbing in the past. Use a micro porous tape to protect each area. Additionally, once taped up, smear vaseline around the sole of the feet and in between the toes - it really does make a difference. During the walk it is important to air your feet and let them breathe out of the boots - you may also wish to change your socks, particularly on the longer days. On the days we did this then we applied a soothing foot spray also. In the evening and after a bath/shower you can also apply some Peppermint Foot Lotion which will soothe aching feet.
Kit
In addition to standard kit (foul weather gear, warm layers, map, compass etc), we have found the following kit worthy of mention:
See "Research" below.
Fitness
Anyone undertaking a long distance walk should not underestimate how hard it really is. To prepare it is recommended that in the preceding months you get used to walking with weight on your shoulders (particularly if wild camping or you are not using baggage transfer) and for a significant distance. We also made sure we did plenty of cardio vascular exercise in the lead up to the walk. Additionally, it does help to stretch out the hamstring, calf, groin and quads before, during and after each days walking.
Feet
The most important aspect of any long distance walk is how you look after your feet. We have a regime for any walk we do and that is on a daily basis tape up any areas of your feet which have suffered blisters/rubbing in the past. Use a micro porous tape to protect each area. Additionally, once taped up, smear vaseline around the sole of the feet and in between the toes - it really does make a difference. During the walk it is important to air your feet and let them breathe out of the boots - you may also wish to change your socks, particularly on the longer days. On the days we did this then we applied a soothing foot spray also. In the evening and after a bath/shower you can also apply some Peppermint Foot Lotion which will soothe aching feet.
Kit
In addition to standard kit (foul weather gear, warm layers, map, compass etc), we have found the following kit worthy of mention:
Rucksacks
I utilised my Osprey 36L Rucksack throughout the walk - an excellent piece of kit which I use for everyday hiking. Plenty of room in the main compartment with a separate area for foul weather/dirty kit and zipped pockets on the waist strap. The rucksack is also fitted with a rain hood. We have both used Osprey Rucksacks for many years now and they are certainly built to last.
I utilised my Osprey 36L Rucksack throughout the walk - an excellent piece of kit which I use for everyday hiking. Plenty of room in the main compartment with a separate area for foul weather/dirty kit and zipped pockets on the waist strap. The rucksack is also fitted with a rain hood. We have both used Osprey Rucksacks for many years now and they are certainly built to last.
Osprey Stratos 36 (Mens)
Osprey Sirrus 36 (Womens)
Boots
We both use 3 season Scarpa Leather boots and there is no doubt that whilst they may be slightly heavier, what they lose in weight they more than make up for in comfort and reliability. We had these well worn in before we commenced the walk. Depending upon space in your rucksack, you may wish to consider taking a pair of trail shoes for the flatter sections of the route. I can heartily recommend the Inov8 X-Talon Ultra 260 which I used for the first time on sections of the Coast to Coast in 2020.
We both use 3 season Scarpa Leather boots and there is no doubt that whilst they may be slightly heavier, what they lose in weight they more than make up for in comfort and reliability. We had these well worn in before we commenced the walk. Depending upon space in your rucksack, you may wish to consider taking a pair of trail shoes for the flatter sections of the route. I can heartily recommend the Inov8 X-Talon Ultra 260 which I used for the first time on sections of the Coast to Coast in 2020.
Scarpa Terra GTX
Scarpa Delta GTX
Inov8 X-Talon Ultra 260
Daily Wear
Normally we both wear light walking trousers and a cool max t-shirt although when the wind did blow and on the occasions we had a bit of light rain then we wore our featherlite pull on jackets. The one below is the Montane version - we had the Rab (Dave) and a Paramo (Angie) version. The jacket rolls up to nothing and weighs virtually the same. A fantastic piece of kit.
Normally we both wear light walking trousers and a cool max t-shirt although when the wind did blow and on the occasions we had a bit of light rain then we wore our featherlite pull on jackets. The one below is the Montane version - we had the Rab (Dave) and a Paramo (Angie) version. The jacket rolls up to nothing and weighs virtually the same. A fantastic piece of kit.
Mapping
I utilised a combination of 4 methods of navigation during this walk. Firstly the relevant OS Maps & our compass, secondly I used my own pre planned routes downloaded to our trusty Satmap Active 20 GPS and thirdly the well appointed West Highland Way waymarks. I also used the excellent Trailblazer Guide and laminated the relevant daily route pages therefore if it rained instead of a soggy book, the pages would stay dry. Additionally, I had OS Locate installed on my phone and carried a back up power pack for both the phone and the GPS. I had no navigational mishaps and the signs are plentiful - just remember to add common sense into your navigation, know how to use a map & compass and ensure you have a back up power supply. Common sense is not rocket science!
I utilised a combination of 4 methods of navigation during this walk. Firstly the relevant OS Maps & our compass, secondly I used my own pre planned routes downloaded to our trusty Satmap Active 20 GPS and thirdly the well appointed West Highland Way waymarks. I also used the excellent Trailblazer Guide and laminated the relevant daily route pages therefore if it rained instead of a soggy book, the pages would stay dry. Additionally, I had OS Locate installed on my phone and carried a back up power pack for both the phone and the GPS. I had no navigational mishaps and the signs are plentiful - just remember to add common sense into your navigation, know how to use a map & compass and ensure you have a back up power supply. Common sense is not rocket science!
Research
There is a plethora of guidance and information out there. I simply did what I always do before undertaking a long distance walk - researched other people's experiences from blogs and journals on the internet. It pays dividends to have an idea of the terrain prior to commencing the walk.
As stated earlier, with regard to accommodation we stayed in two venues for the duration of the walk. Firstly at Chestnut Garden Cottage on the Auchendennan Estate which is situated on the western shoreline of Loch Lomond near Bonhill. The cottage was self-catering and extremely comfortable - a link to their website is here. For the last 4 days of the walk we relocated to Crianlarich at Ben More Lodge - a B&B with on site Bar & Restaurant and extremely good value for money. A link to the Ben More Lodge website is here.
As stated earlier, with regard to accommodation we stayed in two venues for the duration of the walk. Firstly at Chestnut Garden Cottage on the Auchendennan Estate which is situated on the western shoreline of Loch Lomond near Bonhill. The cottage was self-catering and extremely comfortable - a link to their website is here. For the last 4 days of the walk we relocated to Crianlarich at Ben More Lodge - a B&B with on site Bar & Restaurant and extremely good value for money. A link to the Ben More Lodge website is here.
With the planning all done I was ready to take on the West Highland Way - read on to see how I got on.