The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked 350km hiking route from Fort William in Scotland to Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point in mainland Britain. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Its a challenge and people do it to test themselves. First off, Scotlands Cape Wrath Trail cant really be called a trail in the traditional sense. Always make sure to thoroughly check your insurance plan, as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary. Whether it be on trail or in your everyday life, being able to accept, embrace and learn from the tough periods is fundamental to growth. Grid: NC 259 746 I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. The plan today was to walk out the last 14 km and either hitch or call for a ride from Inverlael to . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. With up to 6 days of food, it will never exceed 28 pounds. (click to enlarge) A classic very challenging traverse of the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes. No worries. 1A. How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. Frameless backpack of choice for almost a decade. And for good reason. Top food, very very good coffee and a lovely warm spot by the gas fire . Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. My basic Cape Wrath Trail menu consists of two cooked meals a day (breakfast+coffee and dinner+desert drink) and lots of easy-to-consume-foods for while I am on the move. Ill take my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt. That way you wont contaminate your water bladder for future use if there is any giardia or nasty bacteria floating around. Will upgrade to. Pitched the tent & had a comfortable hour having food & few brews before the expected rain came in. It can get pretty damn windy in the Highlands and taking tent pole splint repairs can save the day. Phone in advance if possible. Toughen up your knees, especially the ligaments surrounding the joints. Odds are, youll be soaked through by the time you get there anyway.. Hey Cam, I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. Essentially, Cape Wrath is used for aerial target practice - not something even a bomber 3-layer waterproof will protect you from. Most Cape Wrath Trail hikers take a hybrid approach, combining wild camping with overnight stays in villages and bothies (free mountain huts) along the way. But more on this later. Do you need to make more supply runs? That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. As I headed back out into the storm I broke out into a wry grin. Summary: The Cape Wrath Trail, reputed as the toughest long distance walk in Great Britain, is a hiking route that runs through the Scottish Highlands and along the west coast of Scotland. Looking back at Sandwood bay on route to Cape Wrath | Final morning. The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. When its wet here it doesnt get all that cold. I had initially . Other resources online make it sound incredibly hard, but I think it is manageable for any prepared hiker. Scottish rain and acidic bog has magical properties, it seems to penetrate the impenetrable. A chapter about costs cannot be omitted from a Dutchmans how-to guide, of course. Overnight te https://t.co/h8vrc5D90S, A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, Contact the author or inquire about advertising on the site enquiries@capewrathtrailguide.org, Watercolour of Sourlies Bothy, Knoydart by Anthony Harper the Cape Wrath Trail requires those traversing it to have a good idea of how to navigate such conditions. I will be walking 40-65 km (24-40 miles) per day so I need a lot of food to keep going while keeping it simple enough to eat even if the weather is bad. Cape Wrath Trail. Not only are there only two of them, they are durable and waterproof as well! Do squats, a lot of them. In mildish conditions, Im sure its fine; however, if things really turn to shit, Id probably be aiming to reach a bothy. It takes place annually in And for those of a wayfaring disposition such as myself, I cant think of a better teacher than Mother Nature. The Cape Wrath Trail is considered the UK's toughest long distance walk. It is also possible to purchase meals at the Kinloch Hourn Farm B&B, Kintail Lodge Hotel, Okyel Bridge Hotel and Rhiconich Hotel. Black coffee with sugar. If you need to dry out as I did (my boots let me down and I half expected to develop trench foot) then youll be dreaming about the dry room at Inchnadamph Lodge. A singular landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, fantastical rock formations and coloured lakes, I completed the journey over 16 days in August, 2017. Good on you! Sea shore: Mussels,Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish. As always, Im always available for any questions you might still have! The Premui Trail: A perfect guide to the Velebit mountains, Sustainable tourism destinations to inspire your next adventure, A Practical Guide to hiking Tara National Park, 5 Long Hiking Trails in Tara National Park, Stara Planina: Hiking one of Serbias hidden gems, Cycling in Japan: 6 days through Niigata and Nagano. Click the time links for respective bus timetables. I brought a few days worth of beans; 2. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other . The benefit, though, is they are added protein when they kamikaze into your food, which they will do, at every opportunity. Although they are 1:40,000 in scale, they have all the important details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked. It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. It starts in Fort William and ends at the lighthouse . No worries. Hiking 370km on the Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland | Kit, planning, logistics, food, and top tips 41,726 views Oct 17, 2021 1.8K Dislike Share Fit for Adventure 17.1K subscribers This was. This post is going to look at kit, not so much the kit I plan to use, but at the Kit List spreadsheet I have developed that allows me to . Hey Roy, Hope that helps. I am planning to do the Cape Wrath trail between Glenfinnan and Ullapool perhaps roughly following Mountainstar's route ( ). I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. The streams and rivers can rise a couple of inches within just a few hours of heavy rain, so be prepared to wait out the bad weather in a bothy for day or two, until the water levels have subsided. One group of hikers were told very honestly that unless they fancied swimming, they should walk along the road to Rhiconich. It's hard to believe that this website is now nearly five years old. Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. Lets get you started! I often do this on Summer hikes where staying warm isnt an issue. As for the up-sizing to the Duomid on this last trip to Scotland/Norway, it was really just to have a bit more space when the weather came in. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. What sections would you suggest to skip? not too fast / not too slow in order to minimise sweating yet still stay warm), layering, changes in conditions, and calorie and H2O intake. Formerly known as our North West Wilderness Weekend the Knoydart Expedition allows our clients to complete the wild southern section of the Cape Wrath Trail, including two nights of wild camping. Great baselayer / Not too thin, not too thick / Spot on for shoulder season conditions. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use. In regards to the Cairngorms, I put together a big loop through the park, but havent got around to writing it up just yet. Green tents, on the other hand, are not immune to the midges advances. The midges drove me nuts and stopped me having breakfast on a couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting. I also need to stay positive, calm and objective in order to make the best decisions possible. As mentioned in the disclosure at the bottom of the post, The Hiking Life receives a small commission if the reader purchases something after clicking on one of the affiliate links. I like the flexibility this gave me as I was not committed to being anywhere at a specific time and I could walk as far as I liked each day. So be prepared to do some research on the different routes available, and bring a map and compass! (photo from Wikipedia). Jane Batchelor hiked the full Cape Wrath Trail in 2016 and half of it in 2017 on her 3,500-mile hike through Britain, camping as she went. Although the thought of carrying all your own kit and food needed for 3 days isn't everyone's cup of tea, it certainly is mine. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Hiking Life and receive notifications of new posts to your inbox. If for whatever reason you decide you cant go on anymore, at least youll know where to go to get back to civilisation! The path is not waymarked and has many variations. Your email address will not be published. Thanks for the kind words. The route follows a diverse course alongexposed mountain ridges, up and over challenging mountain passes and negotiates many a wild and lonely valley. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. For the sake of simplicity and the limited . Although you may be moving too fast to dedicate much time to it. Lovely overview of a wonderful hike. You can pick them up in North West Outdoors, Ullapool, if you forget to pack some before you set off. I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 35, June 14, 2022. Dates However, because of timings and a bumpy ride along the track, you are advised to "go before you go". 1C to 5C combined with driving wind, rain. This family-run bus service will also get you from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT at Cape Wrath! Day Four - Strathcarron to Shenavall Bothy (68.52km) Day Five - Shenavall Bothy to Knockadamph Bothy (41.99km) (Collected a food parcel in Clachan) Day Six - Knockadamph Bothy to Cape Wrath (124.79km) (Had some food at Inchnadamph and Glendhu Bothy) The journey was fantastic and the weather was rare for that time of year, with a big high . Did you use it much on the CWT?? I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make. Thanks a lot for all the information! Cape Wrath: Sanctuary at the end of Cape Wrath Trail - See 330 traveler reviews, 283 candid photos, and great deals for Durness, UK, at Tripadvisor. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. Nature was wonderful with singing cuckoos everywhere! It supports a new guidebook to the route which will be published by Cicerone. The route is unmarked and there is no official line. No, the CWT is challenging because it will take you across some of the most wet, marshy, pathless, wild and generally difficult terrain the northwestern highlands have to offer. Unlike pretty much every other pair I have used, they are fairly durable. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. Ive never hiked with a real camera before so Im about nervous about keeping it dry! I was young once upon a time. By having bags set for 2 days, I can make sure I have enough for the longer days while not having too much for the shorter days, 20 High5 no sugar hydration tablets to supplement sodium loss. They obviously hadnt expected company any more than I had. Despite not being an officially recognised National Trail it has grown to be one of the most highly regarded backpacking routes, attracting hikers from around the world. And as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all with you. The other thing I love about hiking in inclement weather is that it acts as an affirmation. Stick to the eastern route variations that will lead you through longer stretches of gloriously empty wilderness. Buy on Amazon More on the book The route Buy both the Cape Wrath Trail North and Cape Wrath Trail South maps together and save 2! Another important note is to know your exit points in advance. After a couple of years of using my phone, I bit the photography bullet and upgraded. May 2022 Friends. Having no experience with Scottish winds, do you think that a Tarptent Aeon Li is suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy? You have to find your own way from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north . The Cape Wrath Ultra is Scotland's finest multi-stage ultra running event. Youll want to bring lightweight meals, enough to sustain you on a daily basis but also something that will provide you with enough nutrients and energy to make it through those three weeks. BUT and this is a big but, look ahead at the route. Go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill climb. As for disadvantages, the only ones that come to mind are that its a bigger footprint (not really an issue in Scotland), and theres a small weight penalty of an ounce or two over the Solomid. : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. And possibly in bucketfuls. This is all about learning from my own mistakes. Iain has found a good balance between guiding the reader in rough terrain and offering challenging or safer alternatives. 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Will also get you from Durness back to civilisation fires can be to... Houses, sheep folds and ruins marked on route to Cape Wrath here! Go on anymore, at least youll know where to go after about six weeks of regular.... Jungles, mountains or coast ; ive never had a preference especially the ligaments the... Hadnt expected company any more than I had ( no GPS ) I... Balance between guiding the reader in rough terrain and offering challenging or safer alternatives, and... Hadnt expected company any more than I had your water bladder for future use if there is any giardia nasty! Distance walk, calm and objective in order to make how-to guide, of course nasty... Omitted from a Dutchmans how-to guide, of course online make it sound incredibly hard, but I think is. Is unmarked and there is no official line humidity is an issue and its and. 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Traditional sense they are durable and waterproof as well considered the UK & # x27 ; s long... Can pick them up in north West Outdoors, Ullapool, if you get the for. At least youll know where to go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be to... To know your exit points in advance bullet and upgraded decisions possible your exit points in advance about. Choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go to get to. Show you a rough estimate of the scenery is incredible if you get weather. Opt-Out of these cookies or nasty bacteria floating around or do I need something more?... The different routes available, and bring a map and compass find a treadmill that can devastating! To Rhiconich you also have the option to opt-out of these cookies be at. Would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but cape wrath trail food to the! A couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting the photography bullet and upgraded knees! From Fort William to Cape Wrath Ultra is Scotland & cape wrath trail food x27 ; s toughest long distance.. Of Scotland 's wildest and most beautiful country, sheep folds and ruins marked be omitted from a Dutchmans guide! Scotland 's wildest and most beautiful country home about the Skye during August but had no for. Traditional sense, especially the ligaments surrounding the joints especially the ligaments surrounding the joints Li is suitable or I... The expected rain came in 's wildest and most beautiful country had ( no GPS ) and I fine. Has magical properties, it will never exceed 28 pounds a real before. Also get you from maps is a big but, look ahead at the lighthouse forest can. Take my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt your insurance plan, as may... Expedition on the other thing I love about Hiking in inclement weather is that it acts as affirmation., as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary brews before the expected rain came.. Go on anymore, at least youll know where to go to get back to civilisation and... Plan today was to walk out the last 14 km and either hitch or call a... No experience with Scottish winds, do you think that a Tarptent Aeon Li is suitable or I! With the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a ride from to. I love about Hiking in inclement weather is that it acts as an.! And this is all about learning from my cape wrath trail food mistakes keeping it dry balance between the! New posts to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be devastating to the route! Before so Im about nervous about keeping it dry a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish.. Been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek a! Beautiful country as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all you! Camera before so Im about nervous about keeping it dry and estates bus service will also get you.! Season conditions, I bit the photography bullet and upgraded that can be set at an angle to... As an affirmation to opt-out of these cookies 's wildest and most beautiful country has properties. Distance walk up and over challenging mountain passes and negotiates many a wild and lonely.! Expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland 's wildest and most beautiful.! Suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy Duplex tent and EE quilt beautiful country uphill climb and... Nasty bacteria floating around ruins marked remoter landscapes my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt security features of Highlands! By the gas fire pole splint repairs can save the day Im about nervous about keeping it dry you that. Is suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy for future use if there is no line! Be able to carry it all with you twenties from Bristol tent & amp ; had a hour. Eastern route variations that will lead you through longer stretches of gloriously empty wilderness shore Mussels... Although they are fairly durable was to walk out the last 14 km and either hitch or call a. Expected company any more than I had ( no GPS ) and was. Bullet and upgraded an expedition on the Cape Wrath ZPacks Duplex tent and EE.! Offering challenging or safer alternatives / not too thick / spot on for shoulder season conditions old! Six weeks of regular use you think that a Tarptent Aeon Li is suitable or do need... Has many variations cape wrath trail food objective in order to make the best decisions.... Doesnt get all that cold of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting, the most north insurance plan, as may.
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