Past Buachaille Etive Mòr, with Glen Etive to the left and Glen Coe to the right, the Way turns at Altnafeadh up the zig-zags of the Devil's Staircase to its highest point, 550 m, marked by a cairn, with views back to the Buachaille and north to the Mamores. It then crosses moorland and descends to Kinlochleven, almost at sea level.
Highlights
- Buachaille Etive Mòr
- Glen Coe and Glen Etive
- The Devil's Staircase, the highest point of the Way (550 m)
- Views north to the Mamores
- The Ice Factor in Kinlochleven
Know before you go
- Very exposed in poor weather, especially on the moorland before Kinlochleven.
- No refreshments between Kingshouse and Kinlochleven.
Stage conditions
| Water on route | Scarce |
|---|---|
| Shade | Minimal |
| Elevation range | 14–547 m |
Common questions
How long is the Kingshouse to Kinlochleven stage?
It is 14.5 km (9.0 mi) and takes about 3.5 hours of walking, from Kingshouse to Kinlochleven.
How hard is Kingshouse to Kinlochleven?
It is rated moderate with 387 m of ascent and 620 m of descent over mountain terrain.
Is there water on the Kingshouse to Kinlochleven stage?
Water is scarce on this stage. Carry what you need before you set out.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, or get the free West Highland Way Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.
