Great reliable guide to the route plus optional diversions - recommended.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #313927 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 80 pages

Review
Rather than leave you with an empty space this lovely Thursday, we thought we'd tell you about a new book we're absolutely in love with: Pocket Mountains' guide to the West Highland Way.
It's a TRULY compact guide (it'll fit in the meanest of trouser pockets) and it's sturdy and weatherproof. But the real genius is in the writing and photography. The images are worthy of a coffee table treasure, and the descriptive passages from writer Dan Bailey flit effortlessly from breathless purple prose to good, hard facts and figures.
It breaks down the way into its component sections, and also features "detours" from each section of the route, including a trail to the Blackwater Dam from Kinlochleven, a walker's guide to summiting glorious Buachaille Etive Mor, and even a guide to tackling the Carn Mor Dearg Arete on B Nevis Esq. Truly one of the most inspiring and easy-to-read guides to a national trail that we've ever seen (aside from our own Hill Guide section, of course - click here for that). On the back of it, at least one member of the LFTO team has now resolved to do the damn thing ASAP. --LiveForTheOutdoors.com

Synopsis
The West Highland Way was Scotland's first official long distance route. Originally conceived in the 1960s, it was completed in October 1980. The Way links Milngavie to Fort William - a distance of 152km (95 miles) - from the outskirts of Scotland's largest city to the foot of its highest mountain, following the shores of its largest freshwater loch. It passes from the lowlands, across the Highland Boundary Fault and on into the Scottish Highlands.This fantastic new guide, by rising star of outdoors journalism Dan Bailey, is all you need for tackling this classic walk. Containing 15 possible hill and glen detours as well as stunning photography and clear mapping of the West Highland Way itself, this value-for-money guide looks set to become a classic.

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Customer Reviews

A Great Walking Partner
I found this a really useful book. It has all the info you could possibly need to walk the route and climb all the most exciting mountains that flank the path (If you have the time and energy!). There's none of the extraneous waffle so common in walking guidebooks, just clear concise and humorous prose. Evocative pics that make you really want to be there. An interesting well designed layout, thoroughly modern. Great value guide to a great walk.

Excellent guide for first timers or veterans of the WHW
I've already walked the WHW once, but intend to go again in 2 years and this next time I'll take Dan's book along with me. Now that the initial "thrill is gone", I want to actually enjoy the journey rather than just getting to Fort William quickly. I particularly welcome Dan's suggestions for side excursions, rather than just sticking to the main path(s), and this time I'll learn more about the local history from his book which will make it more meaningful. I particularly like Dan's sense of humour, with one of the best parts of the book being the hidden skinny dipping spots! Having froliced in the buff in Loch Lomond the first time around, this next time I'll have a great fun hunting out new swimming opportunities! If Dan keeps writing books about the Scottish countryside and wilderness, I'll never get anything done at home!

Another excellent Pocket Mountains guide
I've used several Pocket Mountains books over the last few years and they are excellent: this one is no exception. It's well-designed with great pictures and really up to date - its also got various detours which keep it interesting if you have another day or two to spare. I used a few of the accommodation recommendations so it was pretty useful to organise where to stay too. I don't really follow the review underneath: I think he's referring to a review I saw from [] - other reviews I've seen in the walking press have been very good for this book too - great to see a publisher take a fresh approach to well-worn path!