From Inverarnan to Bridge of Orchy, West Highland Way

Start : From Beinglas Farm, in Inverarnan, on the left side of River Falloch. (G83 7DX)
Note : If you chose to stay at Drovers Inn on the opposite riverside, come back to Beignlas Farm via A82 then the small road on the right that crosses the river... adding 700m walk.

The official WHW waymark to follow: waypost with the "iconic little logo of a thistle with arrows on either side" + waypost - waymark with a yellow arrow when there is a change in direction."

(D) Facing the pub-restaurant entrance, go right (East). Take a few steps to take a byway on the left. Follow this byway North then North-North-East for around 1.5Km. Ignore a path coming from the right and reach a junction.

(1) Turn right (East-North-East) along the gravel path (ignore two paths going left). Follow this path with a small incline and cross several fords using footbridges. Past a waterfall (Falls of Falloch).

(2) Go through a gate and cross a field that is almost located parallel to an electric line. Reach a bridge over the river Allt a' Chuilinn.

"Note: The WHW should cross this bridge to carry straight on to waypoint (5). However, in August 2019, this bridge has been damaged by heavy floods. For now, the route and description follow a detour that has been created."

(3) Turn right before the damaged bridge and walk up the field along the riverside and a fence (route well marked). After around 250m of walking on flat ground, find a second bridge.

(4) Cross this bridge left across the river and follow the wide path downhill.

(5) At the junction, find the WHW again and walk diagonally right (East-North-East) on a path going uphill again. At the following junction, take a diagonal on the left and go downhill again. Go past the sheepfolds, then an isolated house before reaching a bridge over Falloch river.

"Note : The WHW normally goes across this bridge but, in august 2019, it was closed as it was classified as unsafe following the flood previously mentioned. A passage has been improvised downstream the bridge."

(6) In the meantime, as they fix the bridge, take this alternative to cross the river. It is quite shallow. Cross safely by removing your shoes and staying alert. Rejoin the bridge located downstream, turn left on the pavement and after a few steps turn right to take a footpath into the woods. Walk along the riverside with the river on your right-hand side.

(7) After a curve left, go under the railway (mind your head!). The path then goes right to cross the ford. Reach a minor road and follow it right. Go under A82, go up the stairs to cross a stile. The path carries on up.

(8) At the T-junction, at the bottom of an electrical pylon, follow right on the path made of stones which is an old military road. Enjoy this walk along the hillside.

(9) After around 1.5Km, the path made of stones becomes a gravel path. Walk alongside a wall made of stones and spot a farm down on your right (Keilator). Go through a gate and reach a junction nearby the edge of the wood.

(10) Turn left towards Tyndrum. Go past a picnic table and go up the forest. You then get to an open area and a small hill that offers a nice viewpoint.

(11) After a flat path section, start going down into the wood.

(12) Cross Herive Burn using the footbridge, go down a slight bit more cross another bridge and go up again. Go down again, ignore a path on the left and diagonally go right.

(13) At a T-junction, turn left along the riverside. Turn right straight away to cross the ford. A little further, turn right and go down with a river down on your left-hand side.

(14) Go under a railway bridge and turn left with the path that stays parallel with A82 located on your right-hand. Cross this road (be careful) and carry on the path along the roadside with the pavement on your left now. Cross a horse's field.

(15) Then, cross the bridge over River Fillan. At the junction located at the end of the bridge, go straight ahead along a minor road between fields.

(16) Facing Kirkton farm (housing on your left, huge farm buildings on your right), turn, left on a gravel path. Go through a gate, along a small graveyard on your right hand and go diagonally left. Walk across the fields. Further along, cross a campsite then across a river.

(17) At the end of the bridge, follow a minor road left and ignore paths on the side.

(18) Just before the junction with A82, leave the pavement and turn left on a path that goes under the busy road. Join the path again following it left. Walk along the riverside with the river left hand.

(19) When you reach a bridge with restricted access, cross a minor road following the path straight ahead. Go past the supposed location of the Dalright battle 1306 (information board).

(20) Reach a wide path and follow it right for almost 50m. Then leave this wide path for a smaller one left. After around 50m, reach another wide path following it left.

(21) Cross a bridge forbidden for traffic heavier than 2t. When another wide path comes from the left, carry on by going slightly diagonally right.

(22) Almost 400m after the bridge, turn right on the path. Leave the Lochan of the Lost Sword on your right-hand side (information board) and walk along the path across the calluna's fields.

(23) Go through a gate, cross a space where a column made of stones with small columns of stones and gravel, ignore a bridge on the right, and go straight ahead following a path through the pinewoods. Later on, go along the riverside with the river's right hand and spot a campsite on the other side. Ignore a bridge on the right and go straight ahead.

(24) Reach a minor road and follow it left. As you reach 'Tyndrum Lower Train Station'', leave the road and take the footpath right. Go alongside a ford on your right-hand side.

(25) Cross over A82 ("Be careful!") and carry on the path straight ahead along the ford. Find A82 back on your left-hand side a little further. Go past two reservoirs on your right.

(26) Cross the bridge that goes across the railway. Walk North parallel with the railway located on your left-hand side. Further along, go under the railway and carry on along the railway North. Walk along Allt Coire Chaile riverside on your left-hand side. At the end of the path, cross the bridge over Allt Coire Chaile.

(27) At the end of the bridge, at the bottom of the massive Beinn Dorain, turn left. Go along the riverside first with the river left and the railway right.

(28) Go across the railway again and follow it now on your left-hand side.

(29) Past Bridge of Orchy railway station and cross the railway (Be careful here!). Reach a minor road and follow it right going down to a junction with A82. Cross this road (Be careful!) to reach the other side Bridge of Orchy hotel. (A)

Gears :
Waterproof walking shoes. Waterproof gears. Gears to protect you from the cold. Repellent against midges.

Terrain :
This walk is quite easy to follow and the path is well-signposted at the junctions. An OS Explorer Map is always useful, (at least have a regular look at the map attached with the description). Do not forget to download offline maps beforehand.

Food and drinks :
Fill up your water and take some food with you before departure.
(25) In Tyndrum, shops and several pubs, hotels, and restaurants.

Accommodation a the end of the walk (A) :
Bridge of Orchy Hotel, at the junction between A82 and the minor road from where you come from. Tel : + 44 - (0)1 838 400 220. Pub-restaurant.

Shorter version:
This stage is quite long. If you wish to shorten it, it is possible to take public transport between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy. You can then count a 20Km walk. Train and buses timetables allow you to do this section or at the end of the section, or the next following day at the start of the next stage.
- By train - Be careful, there is two train station, and only Upper Tyndrum Station gives access to Bridge of Orchy. To join this 'higher" train station, from waypoint (24), follow Lower Station Road on the right; you get out on A82 and you follow right for around 60m. Then, take the left Upper Station Road which brings you to the train station in a few turns. When you reach Bridge of Orchy train station (29), walk the last 400m of this stage to reach the hotel. Timetable and cost : look at ScotRail website.
- By bus - From waypoint (24), follow Lower Station Road on the right; reach A82 and follow it left using its left pavement; the bus stop is located here, before the public toilets. At Bridge of Orchy, the bus stop is located at the hotel doorsteps. Timetable and cost : take a look at Citylink.

- From (8) to (10) enjoy hillside walk along an old military road.
- From (10) to (14) beautiful forest track.
- From (15) to (17) go through a farm (cow and sheep) with several information boards about Scotland's Rural College (SRUC).
- Just past waypoint (16) ruins of an old abbey and an old cemetery
- Between (19) and (20) information board about Dalrigh battle (1306).
- Just past waypoint (22) Lochan of the Lost Sword (pond of the lost sword) where according to the legend Robert Bruce sword (1274-1329) has been thrown following Dalrigh defeat and where it shall still be located at the bottom. (Information board)
- Between (26: and)29:: nice walk at the bottom of the hills.