A guidebook to walking the John o' Groats Trail between Inverness and John o' Groats at the northeastern tip of mainland Britain. Covering 233km (145 miles), this Scottish coastal trail takes 2 weeks to hike and is suitable for experienced walkers.

The route is described from south to north in 14 stages, each between 10 and 25km (6–16 miles) in length. Summary notes are also included for southbound walkers. An alternative start from Drumnadrochit is detailed, allowing walkers from the Great Glen to bypass Inverness.

• Mapping is included for each stage
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on facilities, public transport and accommodation on route
• Advice on planning and preparation

Overview map

Key to stage overview maps

Key to stage maps

Route summary table

Introduction

The terrain in more detail

The hazards of the Trail

Transport links

Access considerations

Accommodation

Equipment

Wildlife

Climate and day length

Geology

Using this guide

The John o’ Groats Trail

Stage 1 Inverness to Culbokie

Stage 2 Culbokie to Alness

Stage 3 Alness to Tain

Stage 4 Tain to Dornoch

Stage 5 Dornoch to Golspie

Stage 6 Golspie to Brora

Stage 7 Brora to Helmsdale

Stage 8 Helmsdale to Berriedale

Stage 9 Berriedale to Dunbeath

Stage 10 Dunbeath to Lybster

Stage 11 Lybster to Whaligoe

Stage 12 Whaligoe to Wick

Stage 13 Wick to Keiss

Stage 14 Keiss to John o’ Groats

Bonus tracks

Stage A1 Drumnadrochit to Beauly

Stage A2 Beauly to Dingwall

Stage A3 Dingwall to Alness

Appendix A Useful contacts

Seasons

Spring is the best time for this walk, with a lot of daylight. There is more undergrowth in the summer, and more visitors means accommodation may be harder to find.

Centres

Inverness, Tain, Dornoch, Brora, Helmsdale, Wick, John o' Groats

Difficulty

The northern half of the Trail is challenging, mainly following rough clifftops, often close to the edge and across rough ground. There are also fences to cross. The southern half is relatively straightforward, but overall this route is not recommended for less experienced walkers.

Must See

Some of the most spectacular sea-cliff scenery in Britain, with many sea stacks, sea arches and caves; ruined medieval castles perched on the cliff edges; vast empty beaches and sand-dune systems; seals, ospreys, eider ducks and large numbers of other seabirds; varied woodland

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