Travel to Scotland: Walking the Highlands

the right to roam

As you know, the highlands are characterized by a wild landscape, crossed by few roads, where real adventures often hide behind the hills. For this reason, in There’s no better way to explore Scotland than on your feet.. Also, thanks to a law not found in the rest of the UK, “The right to roam” (right to roam) tourists can also camp in the wild – as long as they respect the environment and convention “Leave No Trace (LNT)”, “Leave No Trace”.

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Cape Wrath Trail (CWT)

The Scottish Highlands offer endless hiking opportunities, from day trips to multi-day hikes. Scotland’s most famous (if not infamous) route is Cape Wrath Trailwhere experienced walkers overcome swampy terrain without marked trails, mountain passes and dangerous fords, starting from Fort William to arrive at Cape Wrath, the northernmost point of the main island of Great Britain. This route takes about three weeks to complete 370km this is dangerous as it travels to remote areas, often more than eight hours away from any rescue operation. For this reason, only trained, experienced tourists who know how to navigate with a map and compass should go on this adventure, which, however, is one of the most sought after in the country.

West Highland Way

If someone is not quite ready to go through the path of Cape Wrath, but still wants to get acquainted with the wild Scottish mountains, Fort William remains a great starting point or destination to aim for.. Actually, the path of another well-known route ends here: West Highland Way was founded in 1980 and became First official hiking trail in Scotland. Starting from Glasgow in the Lowlands, the trail 150km

(about a week of walking) passes through Loch Lomond National Parkthe largest lake in Scotland, to then climb through the fabulous valleys of glacial and volcanic origin, such as the famous Glen Coe and Glen Etive – movie settings such as brave heart AND 007 Skyfall – then enjoy the view Ben Nevisthe highest mountain in the UK, and finally descend to Fort William.

upstream

Having little time and preferring to avoid the “crowd”, you can take a walk only half of the West Highland Way, from Fort William and Tyndrum (the city is served by a railway station). This option shortens the path four days and avoid most other hikers as he makes his way upstream.

Although the beginning of the walk is not the most exciting (on the road for cars), settlements are soon left behind to be completely immersed in the trail. The beginning of the first day is characterized by a steep climb, to which the body, not yet adapted to the fatigue of the hike, constantly requires the attention of the walker – too heavy a backpack, burning leg muscles, hot rain … all the elements conspire to keep the head down, watching one foot in front of the other and gravel on the path.

Only a couple of hours after reaching the ancient glass fort, which is believed to be the result of a massive fire dating back to the Iron Age Dun Deardale that, as if by magic, the landscape seems to open up, overlooking the towering, cloud-crowned mass of Ben Nevis in the background. From this moment on, the path never ceases to offer views of enchanting landscapes.beginning with valleyoften crossed by the route of the valley, in places with steep slopes and deeply marked by the course of hundreds of small rivers, burnand at other times they are large and lost in the distance.

OURThe highest point of the route, and also one of the most dramaticoccurs at the end of the second day, when – if in a tent – you can set up camp on the pass (or beach between Stob Mhic Mhatuin and Beinn Bheag) on ​​top of the famous devil’s ladder (Damn’s stairs) towering above Glen Etive and Glen Coe. The next morning, it is especially pleasant to admire the dawn, coloring the tops of the mountains around in golden color. The shape of the valleys and the often harsh climate leave no doubt that these landscapes were shaped by ice. However, from this exceptional point of view it is possible to appreciate the volcanic origin of this area. Glen Coe, in fact, is what remains of the caldera of a supervolcano that collapsed 400 million years ago. and later carved by the force of glaciers.

The West Highland Way, like Scotland itself, is never monotonous.. With every turn, climb or change in weather, the track offers something new. The relationship that develops between the walker and the path is extremely personal and is able to reveal the inner world, often inaccessible in everyday life. Although this is not a spiritual “path” in the strict sense, The West Highland Way offers moments of such beauty that it’s hard not to touch.

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What to pack

The list of what to include in a hiking backpack varies by season and depends on personal preference. However, there are some essentials that every walker in Scotland should have:

Waterproof jacketA: Made of Gore-Tex or similar, a waterproof (not just windproof) jacket is essential in an area with 250 rainy days a year.

Waterproof shoes: although the West Highland Way is a marked path made up mostly of gravel, during especially wet periods or if you want to take alternative routes, be aware that Scotland is 23% swamp (swamp). For this reason, it is recommended to use pedals made of Gore-Tex or similar material and a sole with sufficient grip (eg Vibram).

Smidge: mountain midges these are very small, but extremely annoying insects, similar to midges, but with parasitic habits similar to mosquitoes, which, unfortunately, in the summer (from about June to the end of August) abound in Scotland. To protect yourself Scottish Repellent Smidge

it is excellent, not very toxic, and also works against other biting insects (including mosquitoes and ticks).

Trekking poles: The function of trekking poles becomes apparent during multi-day hikes with a heavy backpack. Most of the weight will be transferred to them through their hands.

field oven: Although after the official West Highland Way stages it is possible to stop and sleep in the city or hotel at the end of each day for those who prefer to make changes to the stages and/or sleep in a tent. Of the services, a camp stove will be indispensable. The use of open flames for fire prevention is strictly prohibited in Scotland. The peat that makes up the marshes is, when dry, a flammable fossil material.

West Highland Way Official Website: For all route information and news, the route’s official website is an invaluable resource https://www.westhighlandway.org/

How to get to the Highlands

Glasgow has direct flights from Venice, Milan, Rome and Naples.

Otherwise, if the trip is part of a larger route involving London, the night train Caledonian Sleeper — which turns 150 this year — is a unique experience worth considering, departing from Euston station and terminating in Fort William (with the possibility of intermediate stops).