Cape Wrath trail route

The Cape Wrath Trail is one of the world's finest long distance walks. The route leads you across most of the north west coast of Scotland via Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt, winding through its most beautiful glens and mountains. It typically takes between two and three weeks to walk.

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• 1

  Fort William to Glenfinnan

  The start of any great adventure needs a sense of theatre and the ferry crossing from Fort William to Camusnagaul certainly provides it. (average walk: 1-2 days)
• 2

  Glenfinnan to Glen Dessarry

  Although not a particularly long leg, this covers the first rough ground and is harder than it looks on paper, particularly for legs and shoulders that are new to the trail. (average walk: 1 day)
• 3

  Glen Dessarry to Barisdale

  Now you're really getting in amongst it with the first properly tough leg, but the reward is a real taste of wilderness and a stunning view of Loch Hourn as you descend to Barisdale. (average walk: 1-2 days)
• 4

  Barisdale to Shiel Bridge

  Another hard leg as the trail passes through Kinloch Hourn and gains some real height as it skirts the Forcan ridge before descending into Glen Shiel and the amenities at Shiel Bridge (average walk: 2 days).
• 5

  Shiel Bridge to Strathcarron

  One of the most varied sections of the walk with many route choices, the stunning falls of Glomach and superbly remote country, you're in for a treat. (average walk: 2 days)
• 6

  Strathcarron to Kinlochewe

  This leg gets progressively harder as you ascend from Coulags and then drop down into Torridon proper. But the best (and hardest) is saved until last as you head deep into the heart of Beinn Eighe. (average walk: 1-2 days)
• 7

  Kinlochewe to Strath na Sealga

  An easy start to this leg as you climb on good tracks to Lochan Fada. But from there on it gets rough as you wind towards the gloriously remote bothy at Shenavall. (average walk: 1 day)
• 8

  Strath na Sealga to Inverlael

  A relatively easy day, with the majority of the journey on clear paths. As you climb from Shenavall you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the saw toothed ridge of An Teallach. (average walk: 1 day)
• 9

  Inverlael to Oykel Bridge

  A deceptively tough leg, with leg sapping terrain as you cross Glen Douchary before reaching better paths that take you via Loch an Daimh towards Glen Oykel. (average walk: 1-2 days)
• 10

  Oykel Bridge to Inchnadamph

  The stunning Glen Oykel is your companion for most of this leg before you climb up through Gleann Dubh and descend to Inchnadamph. (average walk: 1-2 days)
• 11

  Inchnadamph to Glendhu

  A majestic and tough day as you climb out of Inchnadamph before dropping to the startlingly beautiful loch Glencoul and over the headland to Glendhu bothy. (average walk: 1 day)
• 12

  Glendhu to Rhiconich

  One of the tougher legs of the walk over gloriously rough, remote trackless terrain with plenty of river crossings. You'll earn your spurs on this one. (average walk: 2 days)
• 13

  Rhiconich to Sandwood Bay

  The splendour of Sandwood Bay, one of Scotland's finest beaches, is your reward for a tough slog across rough, wild country. (average walk: 1 day)
• 14

  Sandwood Bay to Cape Wrath

  The final leg. This is what it's all been about. There's no let up from the terrain; bogs and wild country will test you to the very end. (average walk: 1 day)