West Highland Way: Milngavie to Drymen

Start at Douglas Street council car park and follow the pedestrian approach to the West Highland Way obelisk and start arch. The first full stage leads through Mugdock Wood, past Craigallian Loch and Carbeth, then descends beside Dumgoyach to the old railway through Strathblane. Continue through Gartness and farmland before crossing the A811 and taking the established village approach to Drymen green.

Allow six hours of walking plus breaks for this long linear day. Most of the route uses paths, tracks and country lanes with modest hills, but mud, roots, gates and wet wooden surfaces can slow progress. At Carbeth, cross the B821 carefully to reach the new north-side footpath, and use it for about 500 metres. The A81 is crossed twice and the A811 once; these are busy, uncontrolled crossings. Wait for a safe gap and never walk along the A811. Watch for traffic on the Gartness lanes and the short road-junction approach before the pavements into Drymen. Keep dogs under close control around livestock and leave gates as found.

The start has public pay-and-display parking, currently £6 for stays over four hours; check signs and pay for the full stay. Arrange return transport before setting out. Drymen has bus connections rather than a railway station; check the operating day, last bus and onward journey to Milngavie. Cafes, shops and toilets are available in the towns, subject to opening. Follow current path notices, and do not camp in the enclosed livestock field before the A811.

Route map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, licensed under the Open Database Licence.