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Walking the Cape Wrath Trail

Backpacking through the Scottish Highlands: Fort William to Cape Wrath

ISBN

9781786311344

Availability

Published

2 Jun 2022

Reprinted

25 Jun 2024

Edition

Fourth

Pages

176

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm

Weight

200g

Delivery & Returns

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A guidebook to the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek through the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The Cape Wrath Trail is a 230 mile, 3-week challenge through wild and magnificent landscapes, such as Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt. Crossing such empty country, it is for the experienced backpacker only.

Seasons

April, May and June are ideal months to walk the trail. September and October are also good, but there may be diversions due to deer stalking and military operations at the cape. In July and August the days are superbly long and the weather can be fine, but midges will be in full flight. The limited accommodation along the trail may also be booked up at this time of year.

Centres

Fort William, Glenfinnan, Barisdale, Kinloch Hourn, Shiel Bridge, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe, Dundonnell, Ullapool, Bridge of Orchy, Inchnadamph, Kylesku, Rhiconich, Kinlochbervie, Durness

Difficulty

The Cape Wrath Trail is regarded as the toughest long-distance backpacking trail in Britain. It crosses remote, sparsely populated and potentially dangerous mountain country. There are no pack-carrying services and often no clear paths. Limited re-supply points mean you need to be self-sufficient for several days at a time. Not a route for beginners or those unfamiliar with remote, rugged mountain areas.

Must See

Glenfinnan monument and viaduct, the gloriously remote rough bounds of Knoydart, Barisdale, Forcan ridge, Falls of Glomach, Beinn Eighe, Lochan Fada, Shenavall, An Teallach, Glen Douchary, Glen Oykel, Ben More, Glencoul, Arkle, Foinaven, Sandwood Bay, Cape Wrath lighthouse

ISBN

9781786311344

Availability

Published

2 Jun 2022

Reprinted

25 Jun 2024

Edition

Fourth

Pages

176

Size

17.20 x 11.60 x 1.50cm

Weight

200g

Delivery & Returns

Overview

A guidebook to walking the 370km (230 mile) Cape Wrath Trail between Fort William and Cape Wrath. This long-distance trek through the Scottish Highlands is suitable for experienced backpackers as it is often regarded as the toughest-long distance route in Britain.

The route is described from south to north in 14 stages, ranging in distance between 13 and 45 kms (8-28 miles). Six alternate stages are also detailed to give a flexible itinerary of between two and three weeks.

Elevation graphs included, and 1:50,000 OS maps for each stage
Highlights include Glenfinnan monument and viaduct, Knoydart, Barisdale, Forcan ridge, Falls of Glomach, Beinn Eighe, Lochan Fada, Shenavall, An Teallach, Glen Douchary, Glen Oykel, Ben More, Glencoul, Arkle, Foinaven, Sandwood Bay
Detailed information on accommodation and resupply opportunities provided
Safety, packing and preparation advice
Compactly-sized to fit in a jacket pocket

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Map key

Overview map

Preface

Introduction

Geology and wildlife

Getting there

Getting around

When to go

Accommodation

Safety

Emergencies

Money and communications

Preparation and planning

What to take

Waywarking and access

Maps and navigation

Using this guide

1 Fort William to Strathcarron

Stage 1 Fort William to Glenfinnan

Stage 2 Glenfinnan to Glen Dessarry

Stage 3 Glen Dessarry to Barisdale

Stage 4 Barisdale to Morvich (near Shiel Bridge)

Alternative Stage 1 Fort William to Laggan

Alternative Stage 2 Laggan to Cluanie

Alternative Stage 3 Cluanie to Morvich (near Shiel Bridge)

Stage 5 Morvich (near Shiel Bridge) to Strathcarron

2 Strathcarron to Inverlael (near Ullapool)

Stage 6 Strathcarron to Kinlochewe

Alternative Stage 6 Bendronaig to Kinlochewe

Stage 7 Kinlochewe to Strath na Sealga

Stage 8 Strath na Sealga to Inverlael (near Ullapool)

3 Inverlael to Cape Wrath

Stage 9 Inverlael (near Ullapool) to Oykel Bridge

Alternative Stage 9 Ullapool to Oykel Bridge

Stage 10 Oykel Bridge to Inchnadamph (or Loch Ailsh)

Stage 11 Inchnadamph to Glendhu

Alternative Stage 11 Loch Ailsh to Glendhu

Stage 12 Glendhu to Rhiconich

Stage 13 Rhiconich to Sandwood Bay

Stage 14 Sandwood Bay to Cape Wrath

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Shops, cafés and Post Offices

Appendix D Useful websites

Appendix E Maps

Appendix F Further reading

Updates

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

By Iain Harper

Iain Harper completed the Cape Wrath Trail in 2009. Armed with his research he approached Cicerone to write the definitive guidebook to the trek. Iain has walked extensively in the Highlands for 20 years, enjoys running ultra marathons and lives with his wife Kay in the Cotswolds.

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