A Cape Wrath Trail 
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About A Cape Wrath Trail
Our Cape Wrath Trail is rapidly becoming a much sought after prize by many walkers. It is probably the most adventurous and wildest trek within the UK. Yet it is very achievable for regular walkers when walked over 14 one-day stages. It is a route of incomparable contrasts, of wild passes and lonely glens, of some rough walking but awe-inspiring wild mountains and stunning coastlines. The isolation and remoteness is incomparable.
Although our Cape Wrath Trail is not a waymarked trail (and doesn't even follow a path for much of the way) it is becoming recognised as the ultimate UK achievement for long distance walkers. Our experienced and qualified guide takes care of the tricky navigation which may be encountered on the open pathless hill and moorland sections, enabling you to fully enjoy the walking experience to its fullest.
Logistics are complicated in this part of the country with accommodation being sparse and usually not where you want it to be. Our dedicated support manager is able to solve these problems by providing mini-bus transport and a baggage carrying service as well as serving sumptuous meals at the end of a long day's walking.
The opportunity for wild-life spotting is considerable. We pass through habitats where one would not be surprised to see creatures like – red deer, golden eagles, ptarmigan, otters, seals, basking sharks… to name but a few. Our knowledgeable guide will help you make the most of these opportunities.
Our Cape Wrath Trail route from Inverie on the Knoydart Peninsula to Cape Wrath in the far North West corner passes through 170 miles of fascinating wild landscapes and ever changing vistas. It's hard to believe there is so much wild, untamed terrain in the UK, and as part of our small group (maximum 7) you can be there!
We regret that due to the rough, pathless nature of much of the terrain and the accommodation / transport logistics, we are not happy about offering this route on a self-guided basis.
Download the A Cape Wrath Trail equipment list.
Ferry Journeys
There is always a slight possibility on trips involving ferries, that severe weather conditions or other reasons will prevent a scheduled sailing. However unlikely this may be on this trip, it may not be possible to keep to the planned timings. Any additional expenses incurred through changes in the ferry schedule will not be met by C~N~Do Scotland.
A Cape Wrath Trail Photo Gallery (Click on the images to view)
Book Your A Cape Wrath Trail Walking Holiday
Sorry - We have no further availability on this holiday in 2010. Dates for 2011 will be available in December.
If you have a small group and would like to do this holiday privately or are interested in this holiday for next year please contact us.
Self Guided Extensions
Extend your holiday in Scotland for a few extra days planning your own explorations. We'll arrange the accommodation, neccessary transport and provide you with a dossier of tantalising information.
Check out the Self Guided Extensions available for this holiday
A Cape Wrath Trail - what's included?
Your walking holiday includes:
- Qualified Mountain Leader
- Support Manager
- 14 guided walking days along the Cape Wrath Trail
- 1 night Guest House accommodation with breakfast
- 14 nights hostel accommodation (alternative accommodation may be available)
- Full board from breakfast day 2 to breakfast day 16
- 3 Ferry journeys
- Transport from and back to Stirling
- Daily transport as required and for baggage
- Personalised Certificate
Group size:
- Minimum number:
- 5
- Maximum number per leader:
- 7
A Cape Wrath Trail - Brief Itinerary:
Meet at Stirling station: 14:00
Return: 17:00
Day 1: Leave Stirling and travel by mini-bus via Glencoe and Fort William to Mallaig and our first nights accommodation.
Day 2: Ferry across to Knoydart to start our adventure along the Cape Wrath Trail. Our route takes us up across the Mam Barrisdale,between wild mountains revealing spectacular views across Barrisdale Bay, before dropping down to the coast and our ferry rendezvous over to Arnisdale.(10mls / 564m ascent) Accommodation for the next 3 nights on the shores of Loch Duich.
Day 3: Head on along the Cape Wrath Trail from Arnisdale to Glen More via Bealach Aoidhdailean. (10ml / 530m ascent)
Day 4: Morvich to Killilan either by the Eas Ban or the Falls of Glomach, depending on weather and conditions. (10-12ml / 540-720m ascent)
Day 5: Killilan to Strathcarron takes us another stage along the Cape Wrath Trail. Accommodation for the next 3 nights at Torridon. (12ml / 620m ascent)
Day 6: Strathcarron to Torridon via the wild Bealach na Lice. (12ml / 450m ascent)
Day 7: Torridon to Kinlochewe, via the spectacular Coire Mhic Nobuill and Coire Toll a’Ghiubhais route. (12ml / 680m ascent)
Day 8: We reach half way along the Cape Wrath Trail today, somewhere on our route from Kinlochewe to Destitution Road by Lochan Fada and Loch a’Bhraoin. (16ml / 600m ascent). Accommodation for the next 3 nights at Ullapool
Day 9: Inverlael to Duag Bridge via Strath Mulzie. (15ml / 800m ascent)
Day 10: Duag Bridge to Loch Ailsh on easier ground mostly with time to savour the past few days and many, many vistas of our Cape Wrath Trail walk. (12ml / 210m ascent).
Day 11: Loch Ailsh to Inchnadamph, squirming between Breabag and Conival. (11ml / 400m ascent). Accommodation for the next 2 nights at Achmelvich.
Day 12: Inchnadamph to Loch na Gainmhich, using the fascinating wiggly stalkers path, with the Eas a'Chuill Aluin waterfall nearby. (10ml / 820m ascent)
Day 13: Ever northwards along our Cape Wrath Trail walk, we head from Kylesku to Loch Stack. Accommodation for the next 3 nights at Durness. (12ml / 600m ascent)
Day 14: Loch Stack, around the base of Arkle, to Rhiconnich. (7ml / 130m ascent).
Day 15: A Early start to get transported across the Kyles of Durness by ferry, then out to Cape Wrath. From there we walk to and across Sandwood Bay and onwards to Blairmore (12ml / 575m ascent). (Doing it this way takes the worry away about reaching the ferry before it stops). Time to celebrate a well walked Cape Wrath Trail and absorb memories of an incomaprable route.
Day 16: Return to Stirling via Inverness, tired but happy and exhilarated, arriving about 16:00.
Recommended Reading for your Walking Holiday
To get the most from your walking holiday you may wish to do some background reading prior to departure.
Books which you may find informative are:
- Highways and Byways in the West Highlands by Seton Paul Gordon
- Companion Guide to the West Highlands of Scotland by WH Murray
- Crofts and Crofting by Katharine Stewart
- The Highland Clearances by Donald Gunn, Mari Spanki
- A Light in the Wilderness : The History of Cape Wrath by David M. Hird
Maps about the Cape Wrath Trail which you may find informative are:
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.9 Cape Wrath
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.15 Loch Assynt
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.16 Lairg, Loch Shin & surrounding area
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.19 Gairloch & Ullapool
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.20 Beinn Dearg & Loch Broom, Ben Wyvis
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.24 Raasay, Applecross & Loch Torridon
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.25 Glen Carron & Glen Affric
- OS Landranger 1:50,000 -No.33 LochAlsh, Glen Shiel & Loch Hourn
Alternatively, the whole area is on
Ways & Trails
- Section Overview
- Lady of the Lake Trail
- William Wallace Way
- Kintyre Way
- Sutherland Trail
- West Highland Way
- Trossachs Trail
- A Cape Wrath Trail
Useful Information
- How to book
- Accommodation & Meals
- Grading Information
- Equipment List
- Insurance
- Booking Conditions
- Contact Us
- F.A.Q's
