Hello, I posted a couple threads down about my main plans for visiting the Highlands with my partner who is willing to drive, but there is a slight possibility that he will have to work and cancel the trip, and I'll be on my own. In that case, I want to book a backup plan for 2-3 nights that I would be able to do on my own without a car. Which leads me to the question: Where is the best place to be based in order to get to hikes without a car to drive to trailheads? I'd probably not do anything as challenging as I would have done with a hiking partner, so think moderate difficulty level. I don't have time to do the West Highland Way, although I would love to, but was contemplating doing a couple of the portions I could do from one location, maybe staying in Ballachulish or Fort William? Or is it better to go for Cairngorms if I'm solo and stay in Aviemore? Are there hikes I can actually get to without a car there? Or is there somewhere else that would be more accessible? I want to either start or end with some time in Edinburgh, and I'll be coming from London.
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Lake District, England
9062 posts
Either Ballachulish or Fort William would work as the long distance bus service is much enhanced in the summer, from what you see now.
I would favour Fort William for you as you can also access Glen Nevis from there.
Likewise Aviemore certainly works. The local bus services are surprisingly good, although they tend not to be known about that well.
The first few sections of the WHW you could do from a base in Glasgow (using the cross loch waterbuses), or the top of Loch Lomond, such as Inveruglas.
It's on the bus route and has a private WHW ferry across the loch.