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John Muir Way: 9-day itinerary

John Muir Way is a long-distance trail ready to explore with Trailstrider's flexible itinerary planner.

214 km1,989 m ascent9 walking daysScotland
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Compare John Muir Way itineraries

9 days23.7 km a day10 days21.4 km a day11 days19.4 km a day

A practical starting point

9 days from Helensburgh to Dunbar

Use these daily distances and overnight stops as a starting point, then customise the trip in the planner.

  1. 1
    Day 1: Helensburgh → Balloch

    14.6 km · 330 m ascent · 4h09–5h52 (about 4h53, incl. ~49m of stops)

    Via Alexandria
  2. 2
    Day 2: Balloch → Blanefield

    28.4 km · 468 m ascent · 7h40–10h50 (about 9h02, incl. ~1h30 of stops)

    Via Gartocharn
  3. 3
    Day 3: Blanefield → Banknock

    29.1 km · 192 m ascent · 7h17–10h17 (about 8h34, incl. ~1h26 of stops)

    Via Strathblane, Clachan of Campsie, Lennoxtown, Milton of Campsie, Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Queenzieburn, Twechar, Auchinstarry, Kilsyth, Croy, Dullatur, Banton
  4. 4
    Day 4: Banknock → Whitecross

    26.1 km · 222 m ascent · 6h38–9h22 (about 7h48, incl. ~1h18 of stops)

    Via Castlecary, Haggs, Longcroft, Dennyloanhead, Greenhill, Bonnybridge, Head of Muir, High Bonnybridge, Larbert, Glen Village, Falkirk, Hallglen, Laurieston, Shieldhill, California, Reddingmuirhead, Westquarter, Wallacestone, Redding, Brightons, Rumford, Polmont, Maddiston
  5. 5
    Day 5: Whitecross → South Queensferry

    24.5 km · 247 m ascent · 6h20–8h56 (about 7h26, incl. ~1h14 of stops)

    Via Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow, Bo'ness, Muirhouses, Blackness, Abercorn
  6. 6
    Day 6: South Queensferry → Edinburgh

    25.2 km · 289 m ascent · 6h31–9h13 (about 7h40, incl. ~1h17 of stops)

    Via Dalmeny
  7. 7
    Day 7: Edinburgh → Cockenzie and Port Seton

    19.2 km · 31 m ascent · 4h38–6h33 (about 5h28, incl. ~55m of stops)

    Via Newcraighall, Old Craighall, Inveresk, Musselburgh, Wallyford, Prestonpans, Tranent
  8. 8
    Day 8: Cockenzie and Port Seton → North Berwick

    22.9 km · 60 m ascent · 5h31–7h48 (about 6h30, incl. ~1h05 of stops)

    Via Blindwells, Longniddry, Longniddry Village, Aberlady, Gullane, Dirleton
  9. 9
    Day 9: North Berwick → Dunbar

    23.7 km · 150 m ascent · 5h54–8h20 (about 6h57, incl. ~1h10 of stops)

    Via Whitekirk, East Linton, Tyninghame, West Barns