Cape Wrath Trail

A serious wilderness walk that rewards confident navigation and flexible planning.

Time to Hike: Most walkers take 20-25 days for roughly 370 km, with rest or weather days often needed.

Best Time to Go: Late spring to early autumn is the usual window - long daylight helps, but expect wind, rain and midges.

Getting there: Start in Fort William (train and bus links within the UK). Most finish via the Cape Wrath area, typically exiting through Durness.

Costs: There is no single ticket or package cost - expenses depend on how often you use B&Bs, ferries and resupplies versus camping.

Difficulty: Hard. This is an unmarked route with pathless sections, bog, river crossings and frequent rough ground; strong map-and-compass skills are important.

The Cape Wrath Trail is not an official waymarked trail so much as a traditional line north through the Scottish Highlands, pieced together from stalkers’ paths, old passes, estate tracks and blank spaces where you choose the least difficult line. It begins under the bulk of Ben Nevis near Fort William and pushes steadily into more broken, emptier country.

Highlights vary with your chosen variant, but commonly include remote glens, long loch shores, steep bealachs, and the dramatic mountains of Wester Ross. The final approach to Cape Wrath feels genuinely far from anywhere, with big skies and an Atlantic edge-of-the-map atmosphere.

What makes it notable is the commitment: you are often days from easy exits, the ground can be slow, and conditions change fast. Many experienced hikers come here specifically for that blend of navigation, self-reliance and wild camping in a country with strong access rights.

• Fort William to Glenfinnan (km 0-50) - A strong start through Highland scenery with established tracks and easier navigation before the route becomes more complex.
• Glenfinnan to Knoydart edge (km 50-100) - Increasingly remote terrain with fewer services; route choice begins to matter more as paths fade.
• Knoydart to Shiel Bridge area (km 100-150) - A wilder feel with rugged hills and lochs; expect slow ground and the need to watch water levels after rain.
• Shiel Bridge to Morvich and Kintail (km 150-190) - Mountain country with major passes; weather can turn quickly and cloud makes navigation harder.
• Kintail to Strathcarron (km 190-230) - A mix of tracks and rough sections; good place to reassess pace and plan resupply.
• Strathcarron to Ullapool (km 230-290) - A classic wilderness middle section with long days between settlements and frequent boggy ground.
• Ullapool to Inverpolly (km 290-335) - Big, open landscapes and lonely glens; route-finding remains constant even when gradients are not severe.
• Inverpolly to Cape Wrath (km 335-370) - The final push through sparse country to the lighthouse area; logistics for the finish often depend on local transport and conditions.

The main season is roughly May to September, when daylight is long and transport options are more workable. Even then, persistent rain, strong wind and low cloud are normal, and river crossings can become dangerous after heavy rainfall.

Midges can be a major factor in summer, especially in still, damp conditions. Early and late season attempts can be quieter, but colder nights and shorter days raise the level of seriousness.

Most people start from Fort William, which is reachable by train and bus from major UK cities; Glasgow is a common gateway for international arrivals, with onward public transport connections.

The finish is at Cape Wrath, which is remote and typically linked to onward travel via Durness. Walkers usually go southbound to northbound (to end at the lighthouse), but either direction is possible if you plan transport and resupply accordingly.

No permit is generally required to walk the Cape Wrath Trail itself. Access in Scotland is supported by outdoor access rights, but you are expected to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Some common variants use local boats or ferries, and the Cape Wrath area can be affected by restricted access at times due to activity on the Cape Wrath range. Check local notices and be prepared to adjust plans.

Most walkers combine wild camping with occasional nights in accommodation in or near settlements such as Fort William and Ullapool. In more remote stretches you may rely on camping for multiple nights in a row.

There are also simple shelters called bothies in parts of the Scottish Highlands. They are free and first-come, but basic - carry a sleeping system and do not assume space. In peak summer, booking ahead for any B&B or guesthouse nights can be wise because options are limited.