West Highland Way & Ben Nevis 2025 Challenge
On 13 September 2025, more than 50 walkers will be embarking on a journey of hope and transformation and will be hiking one of the BEST ROUTES IN THE WORLD – the West Highland Way and then climbing Ben Nevis!
This exhilarating Challenge is not just a trek through Scotland’s most stunning landscapes; it is a powerful stride towards supporting and uplifting our community and developing and enhancing the facilities at the Ekta Centre in Stag Lane, Kingsbury.
The West Highland Way, covering 96 miles (155km) of breathtaking beauty from Milngavie to Fort William, offers participants a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature while contributing to a noble cause. Some of the landmarks passed are: Loch Lomond, Ben Dorain, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe, and ending at Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis. As a challenge, we will be walking this over 6 days – that’s up to 21 miles (34km) on the longest segment in one day.
And as the route finishes near the base of Ben Nevis – 1,345 meters (4,413 feet) – we are going to attempt to climb that on day 7, weather permitting! The route to ascend UK’s highest mountain is 10.5 miles (17km) long. In total, we will have covered over 106 miles (170km) in 7 days with a total ascent of over 5,000 meters (17,000 ft), the height of Mt Kenya!
We will keep you posted daily of their journey.
Hello hikers. Here we are with just 12 hours until our trip begins. It promises to be a wonderful time together. A magnificent mental and physical feat. Milngavie to Fort William, 96 miles of splendour. Plus, of course, an addition to the West Highland Way, what locals call: ‘The Ben’.
After months of training, the group arrives moments away; from the trip to match all hiking routes in the world. On a good week, the Highlands contend with the most prestigious regions worldwide. On a bad week, you’re throttled through a dishwasher.
In 1980, the WHW was established as the first “long-footpath” in Scotland. And we’ll treat it as such. A day out. A jolly. A grand mystery. Laughs, gasps…uknowns.
Here we are, packing, deliberating, planning. Boots, raincoat, waterproof overtrousers, water – the killer requirements. The fifth necessary item – a good attitude. Each team member from our 50+ – will play a vital role in forming our constitution.
‘Till the morning of Saturday.
As one we march on.
400 miles to the start of our adventure.
11th Sept at Ekta Centre – the catering team & some other volunteers made Thepla, Debra, Chuttnies, Dessert for the week long trek.
We began in dribs and drabs, scattering in from our homes. Soon to find our new places of comfort aboard our designated minibuses. A quick photo, a quick pack up, and keys in ignition – off we went.
Chugging along the motorway, post-prayers…we indulged in opening conversations. Family catchups, topics debated, naps attempted, miles clocked.
Not long before the lunch packages were pried open, goods were consumed with Costa cups drained. The vada delighted, and chikki sweetened.
More miles clocked. Light chat continued. Hindi tunes vibrated.
Soon enough…a reunited force, two buses pitstopping alongside one another. Brief lunches – maybe it was our second lunch of the day, time warped.
Carlisle arrived blissfully, the last recognisable patch of English soil. Then over the boarder into Dumfries and Galloway – stopping at Gretna Green. Aye, we arrived in this great nation that supplies us mountains. 280 munroes exist here, that’s 280 mountains above 3,000ft (915m). Some attempt the lot in a lifetime. Not us, we have arrived at the grand hostel for the WHW.
Unpack, check-in, devour mung bhaat. Kitchen is jiving. A flurry of activity. Wraps wrapped. Food heated. Vegetables sliced. Humans on overdrive, an intoxicating operation of moving hands. Cleaning, spooning, spreading, whirling, twirling. Narrow spaces, loud voices. Harmony and franticity.
A large box emerged as a candlelit cake. Birthday wishes granted. Briefings commanded. Questions raised. Advise shared. Rows of hikers on seats, anticipating, forecasting, digesting.
Packing, lots of packing, sorting. Checking. Checking again. Readiness questioned. Nerves alleviated.
Showers, beds, snooze.
‘Till the morning sun rises.
As one we march on.
Milngavie to Milarrochy – distance 20 miles with about 900 ft of ascent.
Time to get up. It’s not wanted, but it is necessary. Eyes stinging. Feet fresh…not for long. Trudging through morning rituals. Down to the dungeon dinner hall. Eyes stop bleeding. Smiles start emerging. Birds start tweeting.
It’s morning.
Packing – always on the agenda. Laces – always require tying. Corridors – always situate greetings.
Buses peel away, as the mundanity of headcounts occur. Concentration lapses, one is forgotten, we tragically reverse, as our comrade shuttles up and down the pavement at the mouth of the hostel. Who’s fault it was, we can’t decide, as we chuckle our way into gear.
Ceremonial photos are taken at landmark spots and we begin our WHW walk, or more appropriately: challenge. Fresh with enthusiasm, and hearty fuel, we were undeterred by the 96miles that lay ahead. And maybe we were right to be, the unity might just carry us through.
We walked and walked. The footpaths were finely designed and signed. Leaders and sweepers took care of the rest. The scenes were fairly limited, the clouds evident, and our subgroups were bonding well. The forgotten team member shared chai from a flask, and any miscommunications were forgiven, that first sip was divine. Little of note occurred in those early miles, food punctuated the morning and marked our first checkpoint also.
The team graciously supplemented our provisions with hot drinks (chai and mung nu pani). A good wet lunch – note, it was also raining.
We continued on at pace, and the injured were nursed. Spirits remained sufficiently buoyant, until the rain. Always the rain.
It wasn’t quite drudgery, as the route was tempered by beautiful lakes and green textures. It was a flat day, and we were thankful. As we steamed on to the final miles our hoods were up and our heads were down.
The surroundings smelt different as they always do with rain. Our moods shifted in a parallel way. The minibuses became muggy but the rest was plentiful.
The evening routine followed, with showers and meals the highlights. We prepared for the following day.
The briefing felt more directive, although it was suitably balanced with hints of humour. We were given a pat on the back, pleased with our efforts on hike one (20miles).
It begins again in the morrow.
As one we march on.
Milarrochy to Inverarnan – distance 20 miles with about 1500 ft of ascent.
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
Inverarnan to Tyndrum – distance 12 miles with about 1300 ft of ascent.
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
Inverarnan to Tyndrum – distance 12 miles with about 1300 ft of ascent.
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
Inverarnan to Tyndrum – distance 12 miles with about 1300 ft of ascent.
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
Kinlochleven to Fort William – distance 15 miles with about 1660 ft of ascent.
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
Ben Nevis – distance 10 miles and 4,300 feet of ascent!!!
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
Bid farewell to the friends old and new as we head back to London.
Details will be posted towards the end of the trek or early the following day.
To donate funding, please use this link:
https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/oauknw-whwBN25-appeal
For General donation :-
https://oshwal.org.uk/donation/