West Highland Way Challenge

Why book with Charity Challenge? 

• Fully supported multi-day UK challenge 
• Learn all about the local history and environment along the route with our highly experienced, knowledgeable and fully qualified Mountain Leaders 
• Breakfast, packed lunches, dinner, & drinks included  
• Campsite crew to set-up tents and ensure you are well fed 
• Baggage transfer between each campsite 
• Celebratory drink, meal and medal at the end of the challenge 
• The same high-quality Charity Challenge experience that you would associate on our international challenges, but in the UK! 

Level of difficulty 

This challenge is graded as extreme. This is perfect for adventurous types who have previous experience of multi-day trekking challenges within the UK, and who are looking for their next challenge.

The West Highland Way Challenge involves seven days of anywhere between 5 to 8 hours of trekking. It involves requires a good level of fitness, and the endurance to do multiple days of consecutive trekking. The terrain follows a good quality footpath throughout, but this can be rocky and muddy in places. There are several remote sections away from support vehicles, however many of the trekking days provide us with good access to offer additional vehicle support should it be needed. 

Training 

This is a tough, multi-day, endurance challenge that requires everyone to have taken their training seriously. It involves early mornings, long days and sustained periods of ascents and descents. It is certainly not for the fainthearted, and it should ideally be undertaken by someone who has trained on similar hilly terrain within the UK.  
 
The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, hill walking. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the hills, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training four months prior to the challenge and gradually build up as suggested. Remember to use the kit that you will be using on the challenge (boots, rucksack, poles etc) in order to get them worn in.

There is no substitute for walking in the hills so try if possible to get out on a weekend and train in an area with steep hills. The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. 
 
The West Highland Way Challenge is a real endurance event and you should gear your training towards being comfortable doing exercise for prolonged periods of time. Recovery times are also important to consider, and again you should structure your training so that you are comfortable exercising again after only a few hours rest overnight. We would recommend that all people training towards a West Highland Way Challenge should aim to be able to comfortably do two long days of walking (6-8 hours) on back to back days. 

Group size 

Our minimum group size is 20 and groups are typically made up of between 20-40 people. There will be one challenge leader for approximately every 10-15 participants.

On occasion, we may be able to run a challenge with less than 20 people. This may incur a small group supplement. If this happens, it will be communicated before your invoice or fundraising deadline.

Please note: We can run this challenge for a group size of 10-19 people, but there would be a Small Group Supplement of £100.

Group Management

This is a leader-led challenge and you will be accompanied by our challenge mountain leaders at all times. Whilst we appreciate that the West Highland Way is a well-marked trail, our itinerary is designed to be fully-supported and so you will be accompanied by our leaders at all time. Our leaders are there to assist you and to ensure that everyone can complete the challenge and have a great time. 

We employ experienced and fully qualified mountain leaders to accompany and lead you. The mountain leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading challenges throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times. We always ask all of our participants to respect any decision that one of leaders has to make. 

Like all of our challenges, we manage the trek as a team challenge, and we encourage everyone to see themselves as part of a team. Our aim is to walk at a speed that is appropriate for all group members. It is important to remember that this is a multi-day trekking itinerary, and so we will walk at a pace that is appropriate to keep you going for all seven days of walking. Your challenge leaders are very experienced at setting the correct pace, and they will be with you at all times. 

Should it be necessary for the group to split into different walking speeds during the day then your challenge leaders will facilitate this. However, a challenge leader must be with you at all times. 

Should anyone develop any problems during the day then the leaders will be in touch with the support vehicle at all times and will be able to arrange for the vehicle to come and assist. 

Weather 

The Scottish weather can be extremely variable, even during the summer, so please read your kit list carefully and make sure that you bring all essential kit. 

Terrain 

The West Highland Way follows a good quality footpath throughout. However, this footpath can be rocky and muddy in places. There are several sections where there are short but sharp sections of ascent or descent. However, none of these sections are sustained for more than an hour. 

Challenge timings 

Please note: Precise details and timings will be made available in your Final Details that are sent out 1 month prior to the challenge.

On the day of arrival you should plan to arrive at your accommodation for 5pm. Dinner is generally at around 6pm, with the welcome and safety briefing taking place immediately after dinner. On the day of departure you are free to depart at any time. Breakfast is included, and check-out is generally at 10am. 

On each day of the trek you can expect to start each day with breakfast at 7am, with the aim being to start trekking by 8am. We aim to finish each day by 3-4pm. However, these timings will be adjusted according to weather forecasts, the group’s ability etc. 

Getting to and from the challenge 

Please note: Precise details and timings will be made available in your Final Details that are sent out 1 month prior to the challenge.

The challenge starts in the town of Milngavie, just north of Glasgow. You should plan to make your way to Glasgow for 5pm on the day of arrival. At one month prior to the challenge you will be provided with the precise details of the accommodation, but we will always make sure that it is easily accessed from central Glasgow. 

Glasgow has excellent transport links with the rest of the UK. Glasgow airport is a short 20 minute bus journey from the city centre, and the two main train stations are both located very centrally. 

Your challenge finishes in Fort William. Transport back to Glasgow is not included in the cost of the challenge as we appreciate that many people will want to make onward travel plans themselves. There is an excellent train and bus service between Fort William that runs regularly. On the day of departure you are free to leave at any time. 

Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this the proposed finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport. 

Accommodation 

Accommodation on the first and last night of the challenge is in a 3* hotel and is on a twin share basis. During the challenge accommodation is camping. You will be provided with a 3 man tent for 2 people to share, so there is plenty of space in each tent.

We are unable to offer single supplements on this challenge.

Food and drink 

All food and drink is included for you from dinner on the first night through to breakfast on the final morning. During the trek, breakfast and dinner will be provided for you at the campsite each morning. Breakfast will be consist of a hearty meal of porridge, cereal, fruit and hot drinks. Dinner will be a mixture of good, hearty, trekking food. Soups, pasta, rice, different sauces, stews and a dessert will be provided each day. 

A packed lunch and drinking water will be provided for each day. To allow people to choose their own packed lunch we will provide bread and a variety of sandwich fillings so that people can make their own sandwich each morning after breakfast. Crisps, fruit and snack bars will also be available for you to carry with your packed lunch. You will be required to carry your packed lunch with you every day. We can easily cater for most dietary requirements. Please indicate your dietary requirements on your booking form. If you have any concerns about this then please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Clothing and equipment 

During this challenge you will need to have two bags. One day pack that you use to carry everything you need for the day of trekking, and one kit bag that contains all of your camping equipment and spare clothes. This kit bag is transferred between each campsite for you.

What to carry during the day

This challenge takes place in a remote and mountainous environment, away from roads and immediate access to vehicle evacuation support. It is therefore extremely important that you come prepared with the correct kit for this challenge. Please ensure that your waterproof jacket is able to keep you dry when subjected to rain for several hours at a time, and that you also have waterproof trousers as legs get just as wet as tops. Footwear should also be waterproof and most importantly should have good grip. Sports trainers are not appropriate for the terrain of this challenge. We also ask you to ensure that you bring with you multiple warm layers, along with at least two sets of hat and gloves. If clothes get wet then the only way to dry them is by hanging them up in tents. 

Clothing and equipment for the campsite

We recommend that you have at least one dry set of clothes that you can change into when you reach the campsite. This will ensure that you always have a dry set of clothes at the end of the day. 

Tents are provided for you, but you will need to bring your own sleeping mats and sleeping bags as they are not supplied. Please refer to the kit list for more information about what is appropriate. 

Surviving the Scottish midge
The Scottish midge can be a problem, especially at campsites. Please make sure that you bring with you a midge head-net and midge repellent cream or spray. 

The full kit list for this challenge can be viewed here. 

Please be aware that because of the environment that this challenge takes place in our leaders may ask to see the vital parts of your kit. Participants found without kit marked on the kit list will not be allowed to take part in the challenge. 

Toilets 

During the days of trekking, toilet facilities are limited to the great outdoors. Your leaders will be able to give you advice on the appropriate toilet etiquette for each day. Campsites have toilet blocks and washing facilities. Some campsites have showers that can be paid for. We always try to ensure that all of our campsites have toilet facilities, but on occasions this is not possible. In this scenario toilet tents and “long drops” are used. 

Money

During the challenge, there are limited opportunities to spend any money. We would advise that you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.

It is a good idea to bring some change, in case the campsites we use charge for showers. Several £1 coins should suffice for this.

Safety 

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount! 

Here are a few important points that you should be aware of: 

• Make sure you have all of the kit listed as essential on the kit list. 
• The Scottish weather can be extremely variable, so we recommend that everyone has multiple hats and gloves and warm layers to ensure that they always have a dry item to wear on each day. 
• This is a significant physical challenge over a prolonged period of time. Please make sure that your fitness level is suitable to meeting this challenge. 
• Make sure that you take care around the campsite. 

Emergencies 

Your leadership team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. If we find that you are unable to complete any day of the trek, then we will arrange for you to be collected by the support vehicle and taken to the night’s campsite.  

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

We do not professionally vet your medical details. Please assess for yourself whether you are fit and able to take on the challenge. Please review the detailed Trip Notes and itinerary to get a better idea of what is involved. Please speak to your doctor or specialist if you have any concerns about taking part. If you think that there are things we can do to make the challenge more accessible/comfortable for you, it is your responsibility to let us know, and we will then let you know if we can accommodate your request.

Medical Support

First Aid qualified staff will be provided with the medical details that you give on your booking form but please note that they are on the challenge to support with medical matters related to the challenge environment and terrain itself, i.e. heat/cold and so on. They will deal with any incidents and accidents (cuts, sprains, breaks and so on). They are not intended to continue any ongoing specialist medical care that you receive in the UK for pre-existing medical conditions, and should not be assumed to have any professional experience of your specific medical condition.

If you have any specific needs around pre-existing medical conditions, you should discuss these with your family doctor or specialist in advance and then discuss any advice given by them with the challenge leader.

Insurance 

Your safety when travelling with Charity Challenge is our main concern, which is why it is a booking condition that you have a suitable travel insurance policy, which covers you for the adventurous nature of your challenge, the activities you are undertaking, and the altitudes. We have chosen to partner with specialist travel insurance providers Campbell Irvine, who offer cover for an extensive number of adventurous activities. Cover is available directly from Campbell Irvine for most European residents and includes cover for emergency medical and repatriation and for your cancellation or curtailment of the challenge. Full details including costs may be found by clicking here.

Any medical emergencies would be covered through the NHS. Therefore the main thing that you will not be covered for is cancellation.

You can see our cancellation policy within our terms and conditions here. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK. 

Responsible Tourism

At Charity Challenge we are committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. On this challenge, we liaise with the local authorities to make sure that we minimise our impact on the local environment.

We believe that acting responsibly should add to your enjoyment of the challenge. Our leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local environment and enhance your experience.

We would like to encourage all our participants to spend a little extra time in this beautiful corner of Scotland. Why not consider booking an extra night, and go out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge? Not only will you be able to celebrate your achievements, but you will also be putting more money back into the local economy. For lots of ideas about places to stay and things to do please visit the excellent Visit Scotland website.

For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism pages, where you will be able to view a list of the other projects that we currently support.

Booking with confidence 

We understand that there may be a little uncertainty around booking in the current climate so we have created a 'Booking With Confidence' policy to help you book your next Charity Challenge with absolute confidence. 

Book with the knowledge that: 

• We are putting significant measures in place to make your challenge Covid Safe 
• We have flexible payment options 
• We have ATOL and International Passenger Protection financial cover for your peace of mind* 

We will offer you a number of options if we cannot operate your challenge due to Covid-19 : 

• postpone your challenge to a later departure 
• join any other challenge 
• transfer your place to another person 
• receive a refund of monies paid for the challenge 

 Full info and T&C's on our Booking With Confidence policy 

Keeping Safe post-Covid

This challenge is planned to start running in 2021 when we hope that we will live in a ‘post-Covid’ world. Please rest assured that Charity Challenge will continue to monitor all of the latest advice from both the government and local authorities and will ensure that all of our safety systems are up to date. Our safety advice for our UK challenge’s running in the autumn of 2020 can be viewed here. This document will be amended as and when the advice changes