Hiking the West Highland Way was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had so far. I absolutely loved walking this 96-mile trail through Scotland. Plus, it’s definitely possible to do the WHW on a budget! If you’re planning on doing this hike, I’ve put together a packing list. I did the West Highland Way at the end of August in summer, so your packing list may be different if you’re planning on hiking the trail in a different season. Here’s my West Highland Way packing guide – all the items you shouldn’t leave home without!
What to Pack for the West Highland Way: Hiking Gear
Guidebook
I loved this Trailblazers guidebook, and strongly recommend you buy one for your trip. It’s full of very detailed maps, with lots of information about the trail. I pored over mine as I was planning my trip and in the weeks leading up to departure. I also read over each upcoming section every night of the hike. This should be the first thing you get to prepare for the hike!
OS Maps
I use the OS Maps app on my phone, and it has changed my life. It is such an amazing app and it saves having to carry paper copies of all of the OS Maps for the route. You don’t want to add any more weight to your pack than absolutely necessary! Between OS Maps and the Trailblazers guidebook, plus the excellent signage on the hike, I never got lost. If you are going to buy individual paper maps, you’ll need: OS Explorer maps 392, 384, 377, OL39, OL38, and 348.
Purchase the OS Maps app here.
Boots
You need sturdy, waterproof hiking boots for this trail – you are going to Scotland, after all. I love my Scarpa Mistral boots and have been using them for years. I don’t think I could ever switch, I love them! Footwear with strong ankle support for the West Highland Way is strongly recommended. The section along the eastern bank of Loch Lomond is particularly challenging – constantly going up and down rocks, tree roots, etc. It’s ankle-breaking territory, and you’ve got miles and miles of it. And I can’t stress this enough, make sure your boots are worn in! Don’t set off to do this hike in a new pair of boots that aren’t broken in. Your feet won’t cope.
Buy Scarpa Mistral boots on Amazon.
Hiking poles
What did I do with my life before hiking poles?! These are a lifesaver for challenging hikes. They give so much support and balance, plus take the weight off of your knees. They absorb the shock, and I find them excellent for my knees when I’m going downhill.
Backpack
My Osprey Aura 65 has been my best friend for nearly a decade now. I love this backpack. It fits me like a charm and is the best thing I own. If you’re going to be carrying your own pack, I really recommend an investment backpack like an Osprey. The Aura 65 might not be available, but the Ariel 65 and Renn 65 are similar comparisons.
Buy my Aura 65, the Ariel 65, or the Renn 65 on Amazon.
Rain cover
You’ll need a rain cover for whatever backpack you bring – whether that’s a large pack with all your stuff, or a small day bag. I have this Osprey rain cover.
Dry bags
You don’t want your stuff to get wet. There’s nothing worse than hiking all day in the rain to finally get somewhere dry, and discover all your clothes are actually wet. I brought two 20L Osprey dry bags for this hike. This was really useful as I used them like packing cubes to keep my backpack organized: one bag for clothes, one bag for gear and miscellaneous stuff. Plus, I knew they’d keep my stuff dry, which is the most important thing.
Waterproof phone case
Speaking of keeping your stuff dry… don’t take any chances with your phone. Get a waterproof phone case, and use it. Although it barely rained on my trip, I still used my phone case to make sure my phone would stay dry each day.
Power bank
Regardless of whether you’re staying in accommodation or camping, I recommend having a power bank with you. This means you can keep your phone charged on the go, no matter what. If you’re relying on your phone for any sort of navigation or maps, a power bank is an essential safety item. I use this Anker 10,000 power bank for every hike and trip I take.
First-aid kit
You should always carry a first-aid kit when you’re out hiking. This is especially important on the West Highland Way, as you’ll be walking through remote areas where there are no shops, places to buy things, or even buildings in general! Make sure to pack plenty of blister packs, along with painkillers, band-aids, bandages, tweezers, etc.
Buy a first-aid kit on Amazon.
Midge Spray
If you are spending time outdoors in Scotland, you NEED midge spray. Thankfully, there was only one day on my West Highland Way trip where the midges were out in full force. But these tiny insects are literally spawned by the devil himself. Make sure you bring midge spray (I recommend Smidge) and I’d also suggest a midge headnet. They might not be cute or fashionable, but it’s better than choking on midges as you hike.
Buy Smidge and a midge headnet on Amazon.
What to Pack for the West Highland Way: Clothes
You’ll want to pack plenty of layers for hiking the West Highland Way. Here are all the clothes I brought with me on this trip. Although it never rained really hard, I always made sure I had a dry set of clothes for the next day of hiking!
- 2 base t-shirts
- 1 tank top
- 1 half-zip
- 1 fleece (or down jacket)
- 1 pair shorts
- 1 pair leggings
- 1 pair capri leggings
- 2 pairs hiking socks
- 1-2 pairs regular socks
- Enough underwear to last you
- Pajamas
Rain jacket and rain pants
You’re going to be hiking in Scotland. You need waterproof layers. I got incredibly lucky and had barely any rain for my entire trip! But the weather is so variable and can change very quickly. I love my Rab Downpour Eco Jacket – it’s not cheap, but it’s an investment. I’m on the hunt for new rain pants at the moment. On this hike, I used a basic/cheap pair of Peter Storm rain pants.
Buy the rain jacket and buy rain pants on Amazon.
Hat/gloves
As I was doing this hike in summer, I brought my baseball hat (go Twins!). If you’re doing the West Highland Way in cooler months, I recommend a warm winter hat. While I never needed my gloves as I was hiking in summer, I still brought a thin pair with me, just in case.
Buy a hat and buy gloves on Amazon.
Buff
A buff is the single-most useful item of clothing gear I bring with me on a hike! I wore my buff every single day. It’s a super versatile piece and serves so many different purposes. Make sure you have one.
Swimsuit/towel
There are plenty of amazing swim spots along the West Highland Way! The section along Loch Lomond offers ample opportunities, so I recommend bringing swim gear. I also suggest packing a small, lightweight, microfiber towel. Not every accommodation I stayed in provided towels, so it was helpful to have my own for showers – and for swimming!
Buy a microfiber towel on Amazon.
Flip flops
Bring a pair of shoes for the evening, when you’re not hiking, so you can let your feet breathe. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.
What to Pack for the West Highland Way: Miscellaneous Items
Camera/phone and chargers
You won’t want to leave your camera and phone behind! The scenery is amazing and you’ll want to be able to snap those gorgeous landscapes. Make sure you bring chargers as well.
Sunscreen and hand sanitizer
I actually needed sunscreen most days on the West Highland Way – I got so lucky with the weather! Even though it’s Scotland, you can get very sunny weather, and when you’re out hiking you still need to be aware of it. I also recommend bringing hand sanitizer.
Snacks
I recommend always having snacks to eat throughout the day. I actually carried quite a bit of food with me – mainly granola bars, chips, chocolate/candy/something sugary. Additionally, I brought a few pot noodles, so I only needed to add boiling water to make a meal. I ate everything I brought with me, and restocked many times throughout the walk! But when you set off in the morning, you should make sure you have enough food to get you to the next available food place.
Water bottles
Of course you’ll need to stay hydrated on the trail. I carried three water bottles with me (750ml, 750ml, and 500ml). While I rarely ever needed to use my third water bottle during my day’s walk, I felt better knowing I had plenty of water. Figure out whatever system will work best for you.
Buy a Chilly’s water bottle on Amazon.
Planning on camping along the West Highland Way? Wild camping is legal in Scotland, provided you follow the Outdoor Access Code. Assuming you’re hiking between March and September, you will be restricted by the byelaws in the camping management zone on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond. There are plenty of permit-only camping spots in this area. There are also a good number of campsites along the trail!
If you’re planning on camping, you’ll need to also pack a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and probably a stove, cooking gear, and some food. Read my comprehensive outdoor gear guide for all the things to bring with you for camping!
The West Highland Way was a bucket-list experience, and I’m so proud of myself for doing this hike. This packing list has all the essential items you need for your trip – I hope it helps in your planning process!
Have you hiked the West Highland Way? What were your packing essentials?
You might also like my posts:
A 7-Day Itinerary for Hiking the West Highland Way
How Much Does it Cost to Hike the West Highland Way in Scotland?
Hadrian’s Wall Packing List: What to Pack for Hiking Hadrian’s Wall
What to Pack for the North Coast 500 in Scotland
My Outdoor Gear Guide for Hiking and Camping in the UK
What to Pack for a Trip to Orkney, Scotland
All of my Scotland posts!
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