Cape Wrath Trail (Knoydart Expedition)

Day 1: Arrive in Fort William

Today you'll arrive in Fort William, The Outdoor Capital of The Highlands and the start of The Cape Wrath Trail. Fort William will be our base for much of The Cape Wrath Knoydart Expedition. We will have accommodation arranged for you so you just need to check. In the evening you will get a chance to meet your fellow walkers as well as your guide at a local pub for a drink or two and to hear more about the plans for the coming days.

Accommodation in Fort William

Day 2: Walking to Glenfinnan - 22 miles (35km).

While today is a long day, it is actually fairly gentle underfoot. It has just under 600m of height gain throughout the full day. We will begin by catching the small passenger ferry from Fort William to Camusnagaul. This 10 minute crossing over Loch Linnhe gives you fantastic views of what is to come. Once off the ferry we will first have some road walking to cover before the road turns into a good track for the next 15km. This is section follows the River Cona, giving excellent views of the Glen. The track then turns into a more trodden path, as you ascend to the bealach between Meall nan Damh and Sgorr Craobh a'Chaorainn. From here you will start to descend until you are once again on a good track that you will follow to Glenfinnan. This is the location of the famous Glenfinnan Monument. Built in 1815, the 18m monument was a tribute to those who fought and died in the Jacobite Risings. It was erected in the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his father’s Standard at the start of the final Jacobite Rising in 1745.

Accommodation in Fort William

Day 3: Walking to A'Chuil - 12 miles (19km)

Today is the first day of the mini expedition. You will carry with you everything you need for three days of walking and the wild camps. We will give you a full kit list to make it as enjoyable as possible and to keep your rucksack as light as we can. Your guide will choose the best place for your group to wild camp (depending on the group speed, weather and level of tiredness). Therefore, A'Chuil is our aim but you may camp before or after this. If you do go this far it will be approximately 12 miles in total. Once you have left the road at Glenfinnan you will not see another road until you reach your destination of Kinloch Hourn in two days. You will begin the day by walking under the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The Viaduct consists of 21 arches and was built back in the 1890’s by Sir Robert McAlpine. It has been made more recently famous by being featured in the Harry Potter films and carries West Highland Railway line to Mallaig. Your first few miles are on good tracks. However, this becomes a rougher and rougher path as you approach Bealach a'Chaorainn. Whereby, you will be crossing the small river here multiple times. At the 471m bealach you will descend steeply, this soon eases and becomes a better footpath, followed by an easy track once again through Glen Dessarry to A'Chuil.

Accommodation Wild Camping

Day 4: Walking to Barisdale - 16 miles (25km)

In the morning you will wake, eat some breakfast, pack down your tent and begin the final day of walking. The path will soon become rougher again as you walk closely next to two small lochs before crossing The River Finiskaig. The view here begins to open up to the beautiful Loch Nevis. From here the trail will become very rough underfoot. Much of it being off path or very rough path. However, the scenery is stunning and you will join a much better path as you ascend the bealach. Heading down will show off dramatic views of Loch Hourn. Our aim today is to reach Barisdale. This would make today a total 25km/16 miles. It is perhaps the most challenging day of the trek.

Accommodation Wild Camping

Day 5: Walking to Kinloch Hourn - 7 miles (11km)

Today you will follow a coastal footpath all the way to Kinloch Hourn. This a short section but contains a reasonable amount of undulation. Therefore, it can take longer than it might appear. Once at the head of the loch you will be in Kinloch Hourn and will be taken back to Fort William for a well-deserved rest! The mini expedition is certainly challenging. However, it is well worth all the effort and will be an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation Fort William

Day 6: Departure

Today it is time to say goodbye and make your way home, having completed The North West Wilderness Weekend. Fort William has a coach and train station and so your onward travel should be fairly simple.