West Highland Way
Adventure Therapy Hike
Set against the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, the West Highland Way Adventure Therapy Hike is the capstone experience of Project Whetstone. This two-week journey blends physical challenge, emotional healing, and peer-driven support in one of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth.
Designed for veterans and first responders, the hike brings together small groups for a transformative trek across 96 miles of varied terrain—from lochs and glens to mountain passes and moors, guided by clinicians, peer mentors, and purpose. Along the trail, participants engage in reflection, storytelling, and growth, rediscovering strength, resilience, and identity with each step forward.
Walk With Those Who’ve Been There.
Learn about our Peer Mentor Supports
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
– Ernest Hemingway
Why Adventure Therapy?
Healing doesn’t always happen in a chair. Sometimes, it happens step by step, on the trail, through challenge, and in shared silence beneath open skies. Adventure therapy taps into this truth, combining movement, nature, and reflection to foster growth.
For veterans and first responders, research shows that outdoor-based therapies can significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, ease emotional distress, and promote a deeper sense of meaning and connection (Gelkopf et al., 2013). That’s why every journey at Project Whetstone includes time in the wild; because the path forward is often found outside the walls we've built for ourselves.
“The intervention was found to help individuals take control over their lives, reduce the impact of the symptoms, return them to an albeit low but reasonable level of functioning, and provide hope for the future and a better quality of life," (Gelkopf et al., 2013).
Reference: Gelkopf, M., Hasson-Ohayon, I., Bikman, M., & Kravetz, S. (2013). Nature adventure rehabilitation for combat-related posttraumatic chronic stress disorder: A randomized control trial. Psychiatry Research, 209(3), 485–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2013.01.026
Did You Know?
Scotland’s West Highlands are among the wettest places in Europe, with some areas receiving over 120 inches of rain each year. That’s nearly 3 times more than Seattle!
The West Highland Way at a Glance
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Distance: 96 miles (154Km)
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Route: Milngavie to Fort William
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Elevation Gain: Approx. 10,335 feet
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Terrain: Forests, moors, lochsides, hills, mountain passes
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Duration: 14 days (Additional time allocated for rest)
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Conditions: Rain, wind, overcast, occasional sunshine.
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Navigation: Marked trails