Читать книгу Not the West Highland Way. Diversions over mountains, smaller hills or high passes for 8 of the WH Way's 9 stages онлайн

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The other way to Fort William: the book’s first backpack, Route 15, passes Steall Waterfall on its way down Glen Nevis

The West Highland Way, with its well-made path, its centuries of history, its mountain surroundings, is the best long path in Scotland. But the best is just the beginning. Here’s the follow-on: which is ‘Not the West Highland Way’.

When to go

April is still winter on the summits, but down in the glen the WH Way path offers good walking then and in May. The leaves are breaking, the birds are busy, and the midges are harmless larvae lurking in the bog. At these off-season times the busy footpath can be almost deserted – I walked it at the end of March and met four other parties. Youth hostels of SYHA may be shut but the independent ones are open all year round, and at quiet times you probably don’t need to book in advance.

Meanwhile, the mountaintops above may be suffering sleet and hail, and be covered in soggy wet snow. On the other hand, the air may be clear and crisp, with sunshine on the white top of Ben Nevis. So walk the path if it’s wet, and if the sun comes out, hit the heights.