West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Kit List – What to Pack for a Wild Camping Adventure
- Janire
- Aug 11
- 4 min read
If you’re joining us for the West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Wild Camping Expedition in May 2026, or planning your own long-distance Scottish hike, the right kit will make all the difference.
This is a 96-mile (154 km) journey from Milngavie (near Glasgow) to the foot of Ben Nevis — finishing with a summit of the UK’s highest mountain. Over 7 days, we’ll tackle around 5,500m of total ascent, carrying everything we need to be self-sufficient on the trail.
Unlike hikes where you move from hotel to hotel, this is a full adventure experience:
4 nights wild camping under the stars
2 nights at campsites with facilities
1 night in a hostel/bunkhouse before our Ben Nevis climb
📅 Trip Dates: 23rd – 29th May 2026
💪 Difficulty: Expert (Check out our hiking difficulty grading system HERE!)
👥 Led by: 2 Qualified Mountain Leaders (Hev & Janire)
📍 Find full trip details here: West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Event Page
New to Wild Camping? We Can Help
If you’ve never wild camped before, or simply want to boost your skills before the trip, we’re running a one-day Intro to Wild Camping course in April 2026 (date TBC).
Led by Hev & Janire, this day will cover:
Choosing a good pitch and setting up your tent
Cooking outdoors and managing food efficiently
Staying comfortable in changing weather conditions
Scotland’s outdoor access laws and Leave No Trace principles
It’s the perfect opportunity to test your kit, practise your setup, and head into the West Highland Way feeling prepared.
Why packing smart matters
We’ll be carrying everything we need on our backs — tents, sleeping gear, food, cooking kit, and clothing for all weather conditions. The goal is to pack light enough for comfort, but complete enough for safety.
A pack that’s too heavy will make the distance feel much harder, but leaving out key kit could make for a miserable trip.
If you’re unsure where to start, this West Highland Way Wild Camping Kit List has been designed specifically for multi-day trekking in Scotland. It balances comfort, safety, and weight so you can enjoy the journey without being weighed down, whether you’re joining our guided trip or setting out independently.
West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Wild Camping Kit List
Equipment
65–75 litre rucksack
Waterproof rucksack liner or dry bags (bin bags can work well too; bag cover alone will not suffice)
Pack rain cover – keeps the outside of your pack dry
Tent
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag (3–4 season)
Sleeping bag liner (adds warmth)
Stove, lighter, bowl, cutlery etc
Enough gas for 8 days (approx. 25g per day, plus extra; more if cooking fresh meals)
Walking poles
Head torch plus spare/spare batteries
Collapsible mug – for hot drinks without burning your hands
Optional
Gaiters
Maps (we’ll have group navigation maps, but bring your own if you like)
Trowel (for wild toileting)
Battery pack for charging phone etc
Sandals/crocs for evenings
Inflatable trekking pillow – extra comfort without much weight
Repair kit – duct tape, safety pins, needle & strong thread, spare tent peg
Small brush or cloth – to clean boots or dry tent before packing
Lightweight sit mat – makes rest stops more comfortable
Ear plugs & eye mask – useful for campsite or hostel nights
Micro cord or paracord – clothesline, repairs, or extra guylines
Small notebook & pencil – for journalling or notes
Clothing
Comfortable walking boots with ankle support
Waterproof jacket with hood
Waterproof trousers
2 × 1 litre water bottles
4 pairs walking socks (washable on the trip)
Underwear (your choice how often to change)
Thermal top & bottoms
2 × walking trousers
2 × technical t-shirts/tops
1 × micro fleece
1 × warm fleece
1 × insulated jacket
Warm gloves × 2
Warm hat
Buff/neck gaiter
Sunglasses and cap – for sun and wind protection
Health and Hygiene
Water purifying tablets/water filter of choice
Travel towel
Small bottle/bar of biodegradable soap
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Deodorant
Antibacterial hand gel
Toilet roll in a zip lock
Wet wipes/face wipes
Sanitary products
Suncream
Lip balm
Waste bags – doggy poo bags or zip locks
Personal first aid kit:
Plasters
Blister plasters
Zinc oxide tape
Antiseptic wipes
Antihistamines
Ibuprofen
Paracetamol
Sports hydration tabs
Any personal medication you may need
Food
6 breakfasts – e.g. porridge sachets with dried fruit, coffee, or dehydrated meals
7 lunches – e.g. wraps/pittas with Primula, tuna, or cured meat; quick cook couscous
5 dinners – dehydrated meals, couscous, noodles, pasta; instant meal powders like Huel
7 days’ worth of snacks – nuts, oatcakes & hummus, trail mix, salami, chocolate, snack bars
Emergency rations – high-calorie-to-weight ratio (nuts, sweets, chocolate)
Herbal tea bags or hot chocolate sachets – for an evening boost
Final packing tips
Test your kit in advance – practise pitching your tent and cooking on your stove before the trip.
Weigh your pack – aim for no more than 15–17 kg fully loaded (including water).
Pack for quick access – keep waterproofs, snacks, and water easy to reach.
Double-check your waterproofing – use liners and dry bags to keep your essentials dry.
Get Your Training Plan
If you’re ready to start preparing, our Training for the West Highland Way guide walks you through a 12-week schedule to build fitness, strength, and endurance before May. It’s the perfect companion to the kit list — get your body and your gear trail-ready.📍 Read the full training plan here
If you’re joining us, you can expect expert guidance from your leaders, great company, and a real sense of achievement when you reach that final summit.
📍 Join the adventure here: West Highland Way & Ben Nevis Event Page
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