England to Scotland Itinerary Help (including West Highland Way)
Jul 4th, 2013, 12:33 PM
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England to Scotland Itinerary Help (including West Highland Way)
So I have a longing to do a long-distance walk in the UK next May and have settled ( I think) on the West Highland Way. I am looking at a small company that will arrange lodging for the eight nights, and luggage transfer. There will be four of us and I am trying to fit in some other places on either side of the walk, including the Lake District and York. I have come up with a tentative plan and would like suggestions or comments.
We would be coming from Istanbul, after spending time there. I discovered a direct flight to Manchester from IST on Turkish Air, arriving at 15:05. I found schedules for trains directly from MAN to Penwith ( some with a change at Preston). From Penwith we can catch a bus to Keswick, and they run late enough I don't think we'd have any trouble there.
Thinking of 2 or 3 nights in Keswick to do some hiking , and bicycling if the weather permits.
From Keswick we return to Penwith to ride the train up to Glasgow ( direct train, no changes, about 1.5 hours). At Glasgow we would need a bus, taxi, or car service to take us to Drymen where we start the walk the following day. I haven't looked into that yet.
The walk ends at Fort William, and the flollowing day we would ride the slow train through the Highlands back to Glasgow, changing there for the short ride to Edinburgh. Spend one night there, and then we would train to York, also for one night. Then train down to London for one last night before flying home ( we might go back to Windsor for this night, not sure on that).
Does it should OK? Too much? Too little? I know one night each in Edinburgh and York is not much, but mainly we like to walk around and get a sense of a place to see if we want to return for a longer time. Flights are already booked so I can't extend the time. The overall trip, counting time in Istanbul, will be three weeks.
We would be coming from Istanbul, after spending time there. I discovered a direct flight to Manchester from IST on Turkish Air, arriving at 15:05. I found schedules for trains directly from MAN to Penwith ( some with a change at Preston). From Penwith we can catch a bus to Keswick, and they run late enough I don't think we'd have any trouble there.
Thinking of 2 or 3 nights in Keswick to do some hiking , and bicycling if the weather permits.
From Keswick we return to Penwith to ride the train up to Glasgow ( direct train, no changes, about 1.5 hours). At Glasgow we would need a bus, taxi, or car service to take us to Drymen where we start the walk the following day. I haven't looked into that yet.
The walk ends at Fort William, and the flollowing day we would ride the slow train through the Highlands back to Glasgow, changing there for the short ride to Edinburgh. Spend one night there, and then we would train to York, also for one night. Then train down to London for one last night before flying home ( we might go back to Windsor for this night, not sure on that).
Does it should OK? Too much? Too little? I know one night each in Edinburgh and York is not much, but mainly we like to walk around and get a sense of a place to see if we want to return for a longer time. Flights are already booked so I can't extend the time. The overall trip, counting time in Istanbul, will be three weeks.
Jul 4th, 2013, 01:36 PM
#2
Enzian, having done walks in the UK every year for a number of years, my advice would be to take particular note of the length of the walks each day. I plan my walks myself and know how far I can comfortably go in a day taking particular note of the elevation gains and thinking in terms of what inclement weather might do to my stamina. I haven't done the W. Highland Way because of the longer than my usual distances between possible stops although maybe your support company has worked it out better than I've been able to.
If you have experience walking in the UK then you know all this already. And again, if your support company includes picking you up should you need it then it's of less concern. My first walk long ago went wrong very early because I didn't realize what difficulties I might encounter. I wonder of an easier one might better suit for the first time out (if it is the first time out).
If you have experience walking in the UK then you know all this already. And again, if your support company includes picking you up should you need it then it's of less concern. My first walk long ago went wrong very early because I didn't realize what difficulties I might encounter. I wonder of an easier one might better suit for the first time out (if it is the first time out).
Jul 4th, 2013, 02:56 PM
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Thank you for your comments--just what I am looking for!
The walk I am considering is mostly 14-mile days, one a wee bit more. I am a bit concerned as we do not have any walking experience in the UK, but we do hike in the Alps and the mountains of the western US. A " normal" day's hike for us would be 10 miles and up to 3,000 feet of ascent and descent. We have done longer distances but not day after day. I did look at the Great Glen Way, which seems easier, but everyone ( websites and other tour operators as well) says the WHW is the best by far. but Inrealize there's no room for a day off.
The walk I am considering is mostly 14-mile days, one a wee bit more. I am a bit concerned as we do not have any walking experience in the UK, but we do hike in the Alps and the mountains of the western US. A " normal" day's hike for us would be 10 miles and up to 3,000 feet of ascent and descent. We have done longer distances but not day after day. I did look at the Great Glen Way, which seems easier, but everyone ( websites and other tour operators as well) says the WHW is the best by far. but Inrealize there's no room for a day off.
Jul 4th, 2013, 03:27 PM
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National Geographic does a 8 ( ? ) day hike across Scotland. Don't know if it's what you're looking for but I thought it looked very interesting. Their website is www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com
I haven't done any hiking trips with them but have been on three of their expeditions and can highly recommend them
I haven't done any hiking trips with them but have been on three of their expeditions and can highly recommend them
Jul 4th, 2013, 03:45 PM
#5
Enzian, must it be Scotland? Speaking generally, the farther south you go the better the possibility for good weather.
Also, do you really feel the need of a support company? The reason I ask is because I tried it once and found it to be an added expense for not much benefit. You may find the freedom of planning a route and going it alone outweighs the supposed benefits. You likely already know you don't need all your stuff as you go and you can leave your main luggage at a hotel where you might stay the night before setting out that's an easy return to pick up again at the end. I should add that I'm now 68, walk on my own and find it quite easy to plan and execute as long as I'm mindful of the terrain and my personal limitations.
As the voice of experience it's much better to arrive at your day's destination with extra energy than to painfully drag yourself the last bit, not being able to enjoy the journey and possibly not being able to finish at all. I cannot stress this enough.
Also, do you really feel the need of a support company? The reason I ask is because I tried it once and found it to be an added expense for not much benefit. You may find the freedom of planning a route and going it alone outweighs the supposed benefits. You likely already know you don't need all your stuff as you go and you can leave your main luggage at a hotel where you might stay the night before setting out that's an easy return to pick up again at the end. I should add that I'm now 68, walk on my own and find it quite easy to plan and execute as long as I'm mindful of the terrain and my personal limitations.
As the voice of experience it's much better to arrive at your day's destination with extra energy than to painfully drag yourself the last bit, not being able to enjoy the journey and possibly not being able to finish at all. I cannot stress this enough.
Jul 4th, 2013, 03:47 PM
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My son did it the summer between high school and college, maybe June. He flew from Boston to Galsgow and got a city bus out to the trailhead .
He camped the whole way with a light back packing tent, though he took a one day break at a hotel just before Rannoch Moor. mostly to drink beer and absorb a lot of other calories.
Our experience in this area led him to take a fair amount of high altitude/cold weather gear, prepared for snow. Instead, they had freakishly hot weather (he had met a UK hiker the second night, and they did the route together). In May, you are more likely to have snow-sleet-rain and face hypothermia rather than heatstroke, but either is possible.
The likelihood of facing cold, wet weather is one of the things that separate this route from hiking in the Western US or in the Alps in the summer. My son was bizarrely lucky but we have had 42F with rain and gale force winds at the level of the road in Glen Coe in August, worse at the top of the ridges.
I think he felt the toughest part was climbing out of Glen Coe near the Kingshouse Hotel, but I may be confused. Many people on this forum hate Ft William but hikers like it because it is then end of the line, and they can all go to pubs and tell lies.
He camped the whole way with a light back packing tent, though he took a one day break at a hotel just before Rannoch Moor. mostly to drink beer and absorb a lot of other calories.
Our experience in this area led him to take a fair amount of high altitude/cold weather gear, prepared for snow. Instead, they had freakishly hot weather (he had met a UK hiker the second night, and they did the route together). In May, you are more likely to have snow-sleet-rain and face hypothermia rather than heatstroke, but either is possible.
The likelihood of facing cold, wet weather is one of the things that separate this route from hiking in the Western US or in the Alps in the summer. My son was bizarrely lucky but we have had 42F with rain and gale force winds at the level of the road in Glen Coe in August, worse at the top of the ridges.
I think he felt the toughest part was climbing out of Glen Coe near the Kingshouse Hotel, but I may be confused. Many people on this forum hate Ft William but hikers like it because it is then end of the line, and they can all go to pubs and tell lies.
Jul 4th, 2013, 09:03 PM
#7
Last May I stayed about 12 miles as the crow flies from Drymen (and this April as well)
Two days apart it was snowing/sleet/40F and sunny/warm/70F. The same could happen in the Lakes.
I haven't walked the West Highland but have spent a LOT of time along the east side of Loch Lomond/the Trossachs and you really must be prepared for extremely changeable weather. Locals can 'play it by ear' - this weekend too stormy, let's do it next week. . . . Visitors w/ set dates are at the mercy of the elements.
Two days apart it was snowing/sleet/40F and sunny/warm/70F. The same could happen in the Lakes.
I haven't walked the West Highland but have spent a LOT of time along the east side of Loch Lomond/the Trossachs and you really must be prepared for extremely changeable weather. Locals can 'play it by ear' - this weekend too stormy, let's do it next week. . . . Visitors w/ set dates are at the mercy of the elements.
Jul 4th, 2013, 09:32 PM
#8
Thanks for the details Ackislander & janisj. Walking in the UK is so different, in good ways and otherwise, from similar activities in other places it's hard to describe adequately to first-timers. On my first walk it all fell apart early on and that was in the Cotswolds! I've thought about and then dismissed the possibility of long walks in Scotland as I know I'm not made of the tough stuff of those who can go long distances in any, ANY, weather and enjoy myself. I don't mind one of those sun-rain-hail in the space of 10 minutes days that happen so often and we call it good. But the kind you describe above is another thing entirely so I hope enzian is listening intently.
Serious weather happens at much lower altitudes in the UK than other places and at times of the year when it isn't expected, as you've pointed out. For me and I suspect all but the hardiest, it's not fun. But a bit of changeable weather can be enjoyable. I urge the OP to look into walks closer to a bit of comfort and pubs to duck into to dry out. There are probably thousands of miles of paths to choose from so there's no need to do the heavy rowing first time out. Or maybe ever.
Serious weather happens at much lower altitudes in the UK than other places and at times of the year when it isn't expected, as you've pointed out. For me and I suspect all but the hardiest, it's not fun. But a bit of changeable weather can be enjoyable. I urge the OP to look into walks closer to a bit of comfort and pubs to duck into to dry out. There are probably thousands of miles of paths to choose from so there's no need to do the heavy rowing first time out. Or maybe ever.
Jul 5th, 2013, 02:54 AM
#9
in one night in york you would probably stay in the city centre which includes a walk around the walls (less than hour) a visit to the cathedral (say 2 hrs tops), a walk through the ancient shopping area "the shambles" (a bit UK derivative but nice enough) (say a couple of hours) I'd avoid the disneyesque Yorvik nonsense, though there are two museums (York and Railway) which might interest you (or not). There are a bunch of ghost walk tours through the town which might be fun (i'll not give you a link as I don't know who is good).
What I doubt is that you will have time to get out and see any of the monastery ruins.
http://www.visityork.org/
What I doubt is that you will have time to get out and see any of the monastery ruins.
http://www.visityork.org/
Jul 5th, 2013, 06:46 AM
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Oh yes, I am paying close attention,mand taking your comments to heart. It does not have to be Scotland. wales, Cornwall, it all looks wonderful. I actually started with the idea of the Coast to Coast Path, but it is too long. We could do half,,though. Coastal paths in Wales and Cornwall look great too. The four of us ( my husband and I, my sister and her husband) did a 3- day coastal walk from San Francisco north and that was lots of fun.
I'm looking for something challenging but not death-defying or brutal. And my husband is a magnet for bugs so the midges I have read so much about might put him off hiking in the Highlands. ( We went to Alaska last summer and I asked the group to choose between good weather with mosquitoes ( June) or bad weather and no mosquitoes ( August). Everyone voted for no mosquitoes, so we went in August---and had perfect weather. But I am not counting on my luck to hold out, and several days in a row of rain/sleet/fog would not be fun, especially in an exposed area with no shelter.
So. . . I am open to suggestion! Scenic beauty is the main goal--lakes, mountains, or coast. So Cotswold Way, Ridgeway, and Thames Path don't work. We are in our late 60's but very fit, so 14 or 15 mile days are fine.
I'm looking for something challenging but not death-defying or brutal. And my husband is a magnet for bugs so the midges I have read so much about might put him off hiking in the Highlands. ( We went to Alaska last summer and I asked the group to choose between good weather with mosquitoes ( June) or bad weather and no mosquitoes ( August). Everyone voted for no mosquitoes, so we went in August---and had perfect weather. But I am not counting on my luck to hold out, and several days in a row of rain/sleet/fog would not be fun, especially in an exposed area with no shelter.
So. . . I am open to suggestion! Scenic beauty is the main goal--lakes, mountains, or coast. So Cotswold Way, Ridgeway, and Thames Path don't work. We are in our late 60's but very fit, so 14 or 15 mile days are fine.
Jul 5th, 2013, 08:12 AM
#13
Why are you dismissing the Cotswold Way? Don't underestimate those hills. There are significant climbs but not very long ones which is nice. I suspect you'd find it plenty challenging. And the beauty of the countryside is legendary. While the Cotswold towns can be full of tourists I found surprisingly few people on the path. It's what I chose for my first walk in the UK and even though I was brought up short the first try I did finish it ultimately. I think it would be perfect for you.
I've also done a section of the South West Coast Path and don't recommend it. I remember the tortuously long and steep ups and downs where the rivers come down to the sea and would never wish it on anyone. I'd neglected to pay attention to the contour lines on the maps and paid dearly for a week. Yes, I'd call that one brutal.
I've also done a section of the South West Coast Path and don't recommend it. I remember the tortuously long and steep ups and downs where the rivers come down to the sea and would never wish it on anyone. I'd neglected to pay attention to the contour lines on the maps and paid dearly for a week. Yes, I'd call that one brutal.
Jul 5th, 2013, 09:19 AM
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I have walked sections of the Cotswold Way and it is indeed lovely, but not what I have in mind for this trip. Wales looks most appealing right now---we could combine the south half of Offa's Dyke Path and a short section of the Pembrokeshire Coast path. Maybe I need to start a new thread!
And I saw you also responded to my query about Istanbul hotels, MmePerdu. Thank you so much---I will look into the hotel you suggested.
And I saw you also responded to my query about Istanbul hotels, MmePerdu. Thank you so much---I will look into the hotel you suggested.
Jul 5th, 2013, 09:35 AM
#15
Then you know it. Good. One cannot argue with an informed decision.
Yes, the Askin Hotel is a steal, I think, and lovely people.
Another thread to narrow down the walk choices is not a bad idea. Others may also know of accommodations. One of my favorites years ago was with a lady who picked me up on the path and returned me next morning and I wouldn't have found her if I'd been looking only for places very near the path.
This is a feisty group of walkers: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/ A member joined me on the Thames Path for several days once which was a nice change to being on my own. You may find some good information on the site.
Yes, the Askin Hotel is a steal, I think, and lovely people.
Another thread to narrow down the walk choices is not a bad idea. Others may also know of accommodations. One of my favorites years ago was with a lady who picked me up on the path and returned me next morning and I wouldn't have found her if I'd been looking only for places very near the path.
This is a feisty group of walkers: http://www.ramblers.org.uk/ A member joined me on the Thames Path for several days once which was a nice change to being on my own. You may find some good information on the site.
Jul 5th, 2013, 07:13 PM
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You're right janisj. However the stop before R.S. which is the Bridge of Orchy is along the WHW and there are several good places there. Upper Tydrum is also a possibility. Must add that theWHW is a long and difficult route even without the weather possibilities
Jul 6th, 2013, 12:31 AM
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I'm not sure if you've looked at this web site which shows the various stages of the West Highland way. You could choose just do part of the walk.
http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/t...?inst=3&id=662
Note that it actually starts at Milngavie (pronounced Mullguy) and you can get a train there from either Glasgow Central or Queen Street westbound low level platform
http://www.west-highland-way.co.uk/t...?inst=3&id=662
Note that it actually starts at Milngavie (pronounced Mullguy) and you can get a train there from either Glasgow Central or Queen Street westbound low level platform
