For many walkers, runners and cyclists, the West Highland Way itself, with an amazing diversity of landscapes and views, is enough to create a great holiday. But how about adding to the experience by tying in with a range of great events and challenges in the summer of 2022? We bring you a guide to some of the best of what's on along, or close to, the West Highland Way between April and September, 2022.
What's on... West Highland Way in April
Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
Where: Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch.
When: Saturday April 2 at 10am to Sunday April 3 at 6pm
What: You could take some time out on the earlier stages of the West Highland Way to visit Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond for a weekend of fun, food and family entertainment.
What's on... West Highland Way in May
Cashel Clanscape - Beltane Bash!
Where: Cashel Forest and Native Forest Centre, Cashel Farm, near Balmaha.
When: Sunday, May 1, 10am to 6pm.
What: Balmaaha is reached part way through day 2n of a walk of the West Highland Way. Meanwhile, May the 1st marks the return of summer and a Beltane celebration. This is described as a "Celtic festival of flowers and frolicking". You can enjoy a host of heritage crafts and activities, such as creating charcoal, smoking haddock, green wood working, weaving wool or making a Highland cake.
See: Event.
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Fort William
Where: Nevis Range, near Fort William.
When: Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22
What: The popular UK gravity biking community returns to slopes of Anoach Mor for the first time since 2019. Big names to look forward to include Reece Wilson, the 2020 Downhill World Champion, and Matt Walker, 2020 Overall World Cup Champion. There is tons for people of all ages to do at this weekend event. Book early to avoid disappointment and why not plan your west Highland Way adventure to tie in with the World Cup? Fort William is the final stop if you walk south to north.
Run Wild Dip Wild
Where: Glencoe/Lochaber area.
When: Saturday May 21 and Sunday May 22
What: The West Highland Way travels through Glencoe in the Highlands in the latter stages. You could tie in with a fun weekend of guided trail running in the Glencoe/Lochaber area and also visit some top spots for wild dipping in the mountains. This is an event organised by Girls on Hills and involves running to remote lochs, lochans or river pools and taking a wild dip or two before running back out to civilisation.
See: Event.
What's on... West Highland Way in July
The Great Glencoe Challenge
Where: Glencoe
When: Saturday July 2.
What: Why to join a 26.2-mile trek through the heart of Glencoe to the foot of Ben Nevis as part of your West Highland Way trip? The route follows the final stage of the WHW anyway, but you will be part of an official mass participation challenge.
See: Event.
Doune the Rabbit Hole
Where: Cardross Estate, Port of Mentieth
When: Thursday July 14 to Sunday July 17
What: If you plan in a bit of spare time to your West Highland Way trip, you could head to the nearby boutique music festival. Doune the Rabbit Hole offers a line-up of music, theatre, comedy and spoken-word performances.
See: Tickets.
WOD on the Loch
Where: Luss, on Loch Lomond
When: Saturday July 16 to Sunday July 17
What: Scotland's Fitness festival takes place in Luss Highland Games Field with two days of food, drink and functional fitness right on the shores of Loch Lomond. The organisers promise events on the mountain, on the water and in the huge events field to test athletes from all over the world. Luss is on the west side of Loch Lomond, which means you will need to make a detour from the WHW on the eastern side of the loch.
See: More info.
SDA 2022 Series - Glencoe
Where: Glencoe Mountain Bike Trails
When: Saturday July 23 toSunday July 24
What: Spectate at one of the exciting rounds of the popular Scottish Downhill Association Series (SDA). You could combine this with your walk, run or ride of the West Highland Way.
See: More info.
What's on... West Highland Way in August
Ben Nevis Night Hike
Where: Ben Nevis, Fort William.
When: Saturday August 20.
What: The West Highland Way finishes at Fort William, which is near the foot od Ben Nevis, the UK's tallest mountain. Why not plan to hike to the summit of the mountain at the end of your WHW trip? You will also raise money for the charity, the MS Society.
See: Ben Nevis Night Hike.
What's on... West Highland Way in September
Go Swim Loch Lomond
Where: Loch Lomond
When: Saturday September 3
What: Add swimming to your West Highland Way adventure by entering one of a range of swimming events, from distances of 250 metres to 10km. There is also a junior and adult aquathlon planned, combining swimming and running into one race.
See: Go Swim
The 3 Lochs Ultra
Where: Starts at Luss.
When: Saturday September 3
What: The new ultra endurance challenge is set in the heart of the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park on one of Scotland’s Great Trails. Whether you're a fit seasoned walker, new to trekking, or have set new goals to get in shape, it's a good challenge event. You could add it on to the start, middle or end of a West Highland Way walk or run. Starting from Luss, there is a choice of 23 miles, 35 miles of 50 miles to walk and you can do the event solo, in a pair or as part of a team.
See: Event.
Glencoe Marathon Gathering 2022
Where: Glencoe
When: Sunday September 4
What: Reserve some energy of the Glencoe Marathon Gathering 2020, which features the 26.2 mile Glencoe Marathon, the Glencoe Half Marathon and The Ronald McDonald House Glasgow 10k. Perhaps you could run one of the events before then starting the West Highland Way form north to south, or run it at the end. The full off-road marathon starts in Fort William and heads south to Kinlochleven at sea level. In any case, the route follows much of the West Highland Way itself.
See: Event.
Salomon Skyline Scotland
Where: Kinlochleven
When: Saturday September 17 and Sunday September 18
What: The event village is in Kinlochleven, which is the start of the final stage of the West Highland Way. It might be a good idea to time your walk of the WHW with this weekend? After finishing at First William, it is not too far to return to Kinlochleven for a weekend of running, whether you prefer to spectate or take part in your own race. There are trail and mountain races to suit all abilities.
See: Skyline Scotland.
Make plans for the West Highland Way
If you want to discuss any plans or ideas you have for walking, running or cycling the West Highland Way please do give Highland Transfers a call. We can help with luggage transfer between your overnight accommodations and we have a wealth of other information at our fingertips.