Cape Wrath Trail (North)

Day 1: Arrive in Ullapool

This is your chance to get to the start of the trek by making your way to Ullapool. In the evening you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group as well as your guides in a local pub for an evening welcome meeting.

Accommodation B&B in Ullapool

Day 2: Walking to Oykel Bridge – 18 miles

oday you will start by leaving the road and heading into the forest above Loch Broom climbing steadily up to 600m. We will descend into Glen Achall and cross the river using a wire suspension bridge. From the river it is just a short walk to Loch an Daimh, a beautifully remote spot for a lunch break. You will be leaving Loch an Daimh by heading north east on small foot paths walking through Glen Elning before following forestry tracks all the way to Oykel Bridge. Once at Oykel Bridge we will return to Ullapool, this is a longer drive and takes around 45 minutes, but it is a chance to enjoy the scenery of Coigach and Assynt including spectacular views of Suilven.

Accommodation B&B in Ullapool

Day 3: Walking to Inchnadamph - 20 miles

We begin this day on a good track up Glen Oykel alongside the river and forestry. A smaller rougher trail then takes us from Salachy to Loch Ailsh, before we head up into the beautiful mountain of Assynt. We hike into the isolated Dubh Loch Mor as our trail peters out. We then traverse to a rocky bealach (mountain pass) to the south west of Conival, and reach our highest point for the day at 560m. We then pick our way down steep slopes and onto well worn tracks to Inchnadamph. We’ll finish the day at the Inchnadamph Hotel or transfer you to accommodation in Scourie, after 20 miles and 850m of ascent.

Accommodation B&B in Scourie

Day 4: Walking to Kylestrome – 19 miles

Probably the most challanging day of the whole trek. This day takes us through the wild heart of Assynt and some of the most spectacular scenery in the highlands. We start by heading over the hills to the second of the great waterfalls on the Cape Wrath Trail – Eas a’ Chaual Aluinn. This is the UK’s highest waterfall and a spectacular sight in spate. The day continues with stunning scenery as we follow rough tracks around the shores of the sea Lochs of Glencoul and Glendhu. We pass two bothies (remote mountain shelters). As we pass the second of these the path starts to improve and guides us in to Kylestrome and views of Kylesku bridge with Quinag in the background. You’ll be ready for the short Day 5 after 19 miles and over 1300m of ascent.

Accommodation B&B in Scourie

Day 5: Walking to Achfary – 7.5 miles

A shorter day after 3 more challenging sections, today’s walk is just over 7.5 miles / 12 km and has 500m of ascent . You will begin the day by ascending steeply to start but the angle will soon ease as you continue past a number of small lochans and gain views of the sea. A diversion can be made for groups with enough energy to the flat rocky top of Ben Dreavie. This is a wonderful viewpoint of the north-west coast and is well worth the extra 2 miles on a good weather day. You will then entering Achfary forest to descend to the road. After a small section on the road you will be picked by the support van and taken to your accommodation.

Accommodation B&B in Scourie

Day 6: Walking to Gualin House – 16 miles

Highlights of today include an atmospheric walk past mountain lochans and incredible rock formations. The imposing eastern walls of Foinaven provide an impressive backdrop to Loch Dionard. Much of today's walking will be on steep paths, however we will also be tackling smaller sections of rough boggy terrain unaided by any paths. Today we will cover 16 miles/26 km and climb around 850m in total. We will eventually finish the day by following the River Dionard on land rover track to the road.

Accommodation B&B or Hotel in Kinlochbervie

Day 7: Walking to Blairmore – 13.5.5 miles

An easier day today covering 13.5 miles/22 km but a surprising 900m ascent. You will begin the day by a walking 2 lengthy sections of road, split by a short cut through Achriesgill, to the small fishing village of Kinlochbervie. Then you will leave the road and follow the rugged shore line passing two beautiful sandy beaches below the hamlet of Oldshoremore until reaching Blairmore. (This section is a Thistle Trekking addition to the original CWT route and avoids further road walking - it has even been commented as a favourite section of the whole trail by a few of our walkers since we introduced it in 2018!)

Accommodation B&B or Hotel in Kinlochbervie

Day 8: Walking to Cape Wrath – 12 or 24 miles

The final day of walking, but not an easy one as you will not be using any paths for most of the day. At Blairmore you will leave the road, following landrover tracks for the first couple of miles, passing several scenic lochs before we descend into the glorious beach that is Sandwood Bay. After leaving Sandwood Bay you make your final push north up the coast with stunning scenery all around. Towards the end of the coast we will find the land rover track which will aid you on your final section of walking to the grand prize that is Cape Wrath!! You will then need to walk all the way back to Blairmore, making this a very tough day. Please note: If the Cape Wrath Ferry is running on this day (which cannot be guaranteed until you are on it!), then we will instead use the ferry to get to Cape Wrath and walk back down the coast to Blairmore following the route described above in reverse.

Accommodation B&B or Hotel in Kinlochbervie

Day 9: Depart

Today we will drive you back to Ullapool/Fort William. It is quite a long, slow journey which will give you plenty of time to admire the scenery you have been challenging yourself with over the last one/two weeks.