West Highland Way (Kingshouse to Kinlochleven)

The West Highland Way (Kingshouse to Kinlochleven) is a 15 km point-to-point trail in the Scottish Highlands of the United Kingdom, gaining roughly 465 m of elevation over a single full hiking day. Rated moderate to challenging, it climbs the famous Devil's Staircase to the route's 548 m high point before a long descent into Kinlochleven.

About the West Highland Way (Kingshouse to Kinlochleven)

The West Highland Way is Scotland's original long-distance footpath, running 154 km from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William beneath Ben Nevis. The 15 km stage from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven is widely regarded as the most dramatic section of the entire route. It carries walkers from the open expanse of Rannoch Moor, over the highest point on the Way at 548 m, and down into the village of Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven.

This section forms part of the National Walking Network (NWN) and is managed by the West Highland Way Management Group. The path largely follows an 18th-century military road built by Major William Caulfeild's troops, the same engineers responsible for many of the Highlands' historic routes. The standout feature is the Devil's Staircase, a zig-zagging climb of around 305 m from the valley floor at Altnafeadh up to the saddle. Despite its fearsome name, the gradient is steady and the climb typically takes about one hour.

Allow 4 to 5 hours of continuous walking for the full stage, longer with photo stops and lunch. There are no shops, cafés or water taps between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven, so this is a self-sufficient leg. The reward is a procession of Highland scenery: the Buachaille Etive Mòr, the peaks of Glen Coe, and distant views toward the Blackwater Reservoir and the Mamores. Most walkers tackle this stage as the penultimate day of a northbound thru-hike, arriving in Kinlochleven before the final 24 km push to Fort William.

Route Overview & Stages

The stage breaks naturally into four distinct sections. The table below summarises each, with approximate distances and elevation gain. Total ascent is about 465 m and total descent about 697 m, reflecting the steep drop into Kinlochleven.

The opening section follows the old military road on an easy gradient, giving an hour of relaxed walking with the pyramid of Buachaille Etive Mòr dominating the skyline. From Altnafeadh, the Devil's Staircase begins in earnest, switchbacking up to the saddle marked by two stone cairns. A brief, scenic 30-minute traverse follows before the trail begins its long, knee-testing descent of 1.5 to 2 hours into Kinlochleven, passing the aqueduct pipes that feed the village's former aluminium smelter.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Kingshouse Hotel — One of Scotland's oldest licensed inns, dating to the 17th century, sitting on the edge of Rannoch Moor with red deer often grazing nearby.
• Buachaille Etive Mòr — The iconic 1,022 m pyramidal peak guarding the entrance to Glen Coe, photographed from the early flat section of the trail.
• Altnafeadh — The valley-floor staging point where the path leaves the A82 and begins the climb; the eastern gateway to Glen Coe.
• The Devil's Staircase — The Way's highest point at 548 m, a series of stone-pitched zig-zags built by 18th-century soldiers and named for the toil of hauling supplies over it.
• Twin summit cairns — Two large stone cairns marking the saddle, a natural rest stop with panoramic views toward the Mamores.
• Blackwater Reservoir — A long man-made loch visible from the saddle, built between 1905 and 1909 to power the Kinlochleven aluminium works.
• Loch Leven — The sea loch at the foot of the descent, framing the final approach into Kinlochleven village.
• Kinlochleven — A former industrial village, the first community in Britain to have every house wired for electricity, now a hub for walkers and home to the Ice Factor climbing centre.

Best Time to Hike the West Highland Way (Kingshouse to Kinlochleven)

The practical hiking window runs from April to October. May is the single best month to walk this stage: daylight stretches past 16 hours, average highs sit around 14°C, rainfall is at its annual low, and the notorious Highland midge has not yet reached peak swarms. As of 2026, May and early June remain the most reliable combination of long days, firmer ground and tolerable insect activity.

June and July deliver the warmest temperatures and the longest days, but they coincide with peak midge season from mid-June onward, when still, damp conditions on the descent into Kinlochleven can be unpleasant without repellent and a head net. September offers crisp air, autumn colour and thinning crowds, though daylight shortens and the exposed saddle can be cold and wind-blasted. The Devil's Staircase is fully exposed with no shelter, so check the mountain forecast before setting out. Winter walking from November to March is feasible only for experienced hikers equipped for snow, ice and very short days, as the high point frequently holds snow into April.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Kingshouse, at the start of the stage, has the historic Kingshouse Hotel with rooms from roughly €130 per night and an adjacent bunkhouse from around €30 per bed. Wild camping is permitted under Scotland's access legislation, and there is an informal camping area near the hotel. Kinlochleven, at the finish, offers the widest choice: hostels and bunkhouses such as the Blackwater Hostel from about €25 per night, guesthouses and B&Bs from €75 to €110, and a campsite with pitches from around €12 per person. Book well ahead for the May to September season, as beds in Kinlochleven fill quickly with thru-hikers.

Getting There & Back

The nearest railway station is Bridge of Orchy, about 20 km south of Kingshouse on the West Highland Line, with direct ScotRail services from Glasgow Queen Street taking roughly 2 hours 30 minutes. Fort William, 30 km north, is the main regional rail and bus hub. Scottish Citylink coaches on the Glasgow–Fort William route stop at Glencoe and near Kingshouse, putting both ends of the stage within reach of public transport. Glasgow Airport is the closest international gateway, around 2 hours 30 minutes by road. From Kinlochleven, regular Stagecoach buses connect to Fort William in about 50 minutes for onward travel.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to walk the West Highland Way. Scotland's Land Reform Act grants statutory access rights to most land, so the trail is free to use year-round. Wild camping is legal under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, provided you camp responsibly, leave no trace and avoid enclosed farmland. Official guidance and current trail notices are published by the trail authority at westhighlandway.org, and access rights are explained by NatureScot's Outdoor Access guidance.

Gear & Packing List

Because there is no food, water or shelter between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven, you must be self-sufficient for the full 15 km. Carry at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water, a packed lunch and high-energy snacks, full waterproofs, and warm layers for the exposed 548 m saddle where the wind can be biting even in summer. Highland weather changes fast, so a hat, gloves and a hot drink are sensible additions outside high summer.

For a single-day stage with a packed lunch and spare layers, a lightweight 35-litre pack is ideal — the Abisko Hike 35 or the Ascensionist 35L both handle the load comfortably. Thru-hikers carrying multi-day kit toward Fort William will prefer a larger ultralight pack such as the Arc Blast 55L. For more options, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026. Plan your calories carefully for the Devil's Staircase climb — our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you pack enough fuel for the 465 m of ascent.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the rugged drama of this stage appeals, the rest of the West Highland Way and Scotland's other long-distance routes offer more of the same Highland character. The adjacent sections make natural extensions, while England's national trails provide a contrasting lowland challenge. For a wilder alternative abroad, our guide to hiking the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania covers a spectacular mountain crossing.

• West Highland Way (Kinlochleven to Fort William) — the 24 km final stage to Ben Nevis
• West Highland Way (Rowardennan to Inverarnan) — 23 km along Loch Lomond's wild eastern shore
• West Highland Way (Drymen to Rowardennan) — a 23 km lochside introduction to the Way
• Great Glen Way — 120 km from Fort William to Inverness
• Hadrian's Wall Path — 135 km coast-to-coast along England's Roman frontier

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Kingshouse to Kinlochleven stage?
May is the best single month, combining long 16-hour days, average highs near 14°C, the year's lowest rainfall and minimal midge activity before swarms peak in mid-June. April to October is the broader practical window. Avoid winter unless you are equipped for snow on the exposed 548 m high point.

How difficult is the Kingshouse to Kinlochleven section?
It is rated moderate to challenging. The Devil's Staircase climbs about 305 m in roughly an hour, and the long 697 m descent into Kinlochleven is hard on the knees. There is no shelter, food or water on the exposed saddle, so fitness and self-sufficiency matter more than technical skill on this 15 km stage.

How long does the stage take to walk?
Most walkers complete the 15 km in 4 to 5 hours of continuous walking, or 6 to 7 hours with breaks, lunch and photography. The Devil's Staircase climb takes about an hour and the descent into Kinlochleven 1.5 to 2 hours. It is typically done as one full day on a thru-hike of the West Highland Way.

Where can I stay at each end of the stage?
Kingshouse has a historic hotel from around €130 and a bunkhouse from €30. Kinlochleven offers the most choice, including hostels from about €25, B&Bs from €75 to €110, and a campsite from roughly €12 per person. Book ahead for the busy May to September season, as beds fill fast.

Do I need a permit to walk this trail?
No permit or fee is required. Scotland's Land Reform Act grants statutory access rights, so the West Highland Way is free to walk year-round. Wild camping is legal under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code as long as you camp responsibly, leave no trace and avoid enclosed or cultivated farmland near the route.