WHW Day 5 – Kingshouse to Kinlochleven

Yesterday’s exertions (54,000 steps according to Kevin’s Fitbit) had bought us a morning off. We treated ourselves to a sandwich from Londis for breakfast and chilled out in the refectory of the hostel. The 11:45 916 City link bus would take us back to Kingshouse to pick up the trail so that left us time to catch up on Popmaster.

Today’s stage was only 9 miles but with a 350 metre ascent up The Devil’s Staircase to add some interest. The bus was, again, bang on time but this one was nearly full. We set off at 12:30 in the persistent, but fine, rain.

Scottish Ladies Mountaineering Hut

We got our WHW passports stamped at the hotel before setting out. ‘Heads down and keep going’ was the mantra, given the conditions, but knowing you are only walking 9 miles, as opposed to 20 plus, lifts the spirits! Let Mother Nature throw at us what she will!

After a quick climb of 100 metres or so we traversed across the hill side for a mile before rejoining the main A82. It was there that we began the climb of the infamous Devil’s staircase. The lads sped off, as is their wont, and I adopted my 100 steps and then let my heart rate recover approach. They were waiting for me at the summit cairn.

The next couple of hours were very pleasant as the rain abated a little. We caught up with people we had met on the trail over the previous days and before we knew it we were at the hostel in Kinlochleven.

The final leg tomorrow is to the finish line at Fort William. A 350 metre climb to start the day but that is pretty much it in the heart rate stakes. Should be a nice run in and the forecast is looking better than it was earlier in the week.

Kinlochleven from above