Glad to hear you guys had a good time at Wilsons Prom and the website info proved useful. With all that and a comfortable bed for the night, it was the perfect pit stop for us. Car hire from Arnold Clark in Inverness from 26 per day. As long as you draw water from fresh, fast-flowing sources well upstream of areas with livestock and/or wildlife you can drink it without filtering! Glenfinnan Viaduct and the train to Hogwarts! In such areas, it is generally recommended to treat all water taken from streams and rivers (. Firstly because it is more of an unofficial collection of smaller trails rather than a marked and advertised trail like the West Highland Way, for example. Food and alcohol prices . Average Duration : 14 to 21 days Difficulty : Moderate to Challenging Start / Finish : Fort William (South) - Cape Wrath (North). All the best on the Cape Wrath! One solution to this logistical problem is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route. Hi Maureen, glad the tips were useful. Want to know what I did? Although equipment choice is intensely personal, it's always good to know what other people use and I've picked up some excellent tips over the years from fellow walkers that I'd otherwise have missed. Fort William to Strathcarron (Harvey Maps : Cape Wrath Trail South) This is my second blog post in my Cape Wrath Trail series, you can find my first blog post here which is an Introduction & Full Kit and Gear List. Train tickets from Edinburgh or Glasgow to Fort William vary between20 and30 for a one-way trip. Ive always enjoyed hiking in crappy weather. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. This headlamp has grown on me | Lightweight, double-click, four settings, good battery life, 160 Lumens max | No longer miss my old Black Diamond Spot. Especially at that time of year; its better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. And as I stated before, youll have to be able to carry it all with you. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Regarding the umbrella, most folks will tell you that the Highlands are generally too windy for them to be much help. Excellent beanie / Not too thick / Stretchy enough to fit my noggin / Doesnt seem to be available in the US at the moment. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. Chocolate Bars. It starts in Fort William and ends at the lighthouse . I pick up a different SIM in each country and pay local rates. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Corryhully Bothy on a gloomy morning. I just get too chilly. I can only show you a rough estimate of the costs you can expect to make. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to start working on a long-postponed project, a new YouTube channel. Because of its remoteness (there are parts of the CWT that require the intrepid adventurer to carry enough food to last a few days) - and changeable conditions (rivers suddenly in spate, weather conditions changing in moments etc.) Hey Swami, thank you for this great write up! Cape Wrath lighthouse; finish of the CWT. Big decisions about smallest details, which I embrace. Not only are there only two of them, they are durable and waterproof as well! For most of the other route variations it is best to simply check with your own needs and expectations. I was going to walk LEJOG with my dog from May this year and was planning to incorporate the CWT as far as Oykel Bridge when I will be following the cicerone end to end guide. The downside, of course, is that mist means drizzle or rain up here. I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. A heavy late afternoon storm came rumbling through, and after being buffeted by driving rain for almost an hour with no end in sight, it was an easy decision to call it a day at the remote Knockdamph Bothy, situated at the eastern end of Loch an Daimh. Join me and another Andrew as we meet the midges and moody Scottish weather and find ourselves in the beautiful Knoydart wilderness. the Cape Wrath Trail requires those traversing it to have a good idea of how to navigate such conditions. The Cape Wrath Trail is often considered to be one of Britain's most challenging trails, mostly due to its remoteness and rough terrain. They obviously hadnt expected company any more than I had. 9 top tips for hiking the Cape Wrath Trail No.9 is the most important Gear and food reviews Exped Synmat UL Winter M An extremely comfortable winter sleeping mat. They were up in the Highlands for their first ever multi-day backpacking trip. It's not the longest. For updates and more photos, follow her Facebook and Instagram pages. I will mention this again: if you are not physically prepared and/or have no previous experience with (solo) long distance hiking, you should not be walking the Cape Wrath trail alone! For the planning of Cape Wrath Trail, I use a similar approach to Te Araroa. The book A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK, published by Cicerone and now in a fully updated Second Edition. Get a backpack, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week. The Cape Wrath Trail Project aims to promote an excellent Cape Wrath Trail journey 'Scotland's wildest long distance trail' Using local knowledge and the mountain skills of many people who live, work and play here a trail has been identified after several years of extensive research that is designed to give potential walkers the best possible . When youre ready to start the CWT, the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50. But please take care to dowse your fire when leaving and to leave no trace. Sounds like you had a real Cape Wrath trail experience! The melancholic murmurs of Heathcliff's voice from Virginia Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse,' sends shivers down your spine, as you can almost hear them upon beholding the famous Cape Wrath Lighthouse. And for those of a wayfaring disposition such as myself, I cant think of a better teacher than Mother Nature. I took a gas canister stove, but I saw shops that sold both meths and gas along the route, (Shiel Bridge Petrol Station, Ullapool Northwest Stores, Kinlochbervie London Stores). It supports a new guidebook to the route which will be published by Cicerone. Outdoors Father is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Odds are, youll be soaked through by the time you get there anyway.. Hey Cam, To make things even more interesting, there is a notable lack of facilities along the way. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! No matter how low-budget your travel plans may be, I will always recommend you get proper travel insurance. Had it repaired and sewed up. Great baselayer / Not too thin, not too thick / Spot on for shoulder season conditions. The way to Cape Wrath is not an official national trail at all, more a loose collection of old stalkers' tracks, drovers, and coffin roads. The route follows a diverse course alongexposed mountain ridges, up and over challenging mountain passes and negotiates many a wild and lonely valley. Go digital! Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. This looks amazing! While not the most storm-worthy shelter in the Tarptent stable, I think the Aeon Li should suffice for the Cape Wrath Trail. When I stopped walking and the midges were swarming, Id quickly put on my rain pants, which together with the long sleeve shirt, cap and head net, kept me pretty well covered. ~Cam Swami Honan The most traveled hiker on earth (Backpacker Magazine, January 2015). For the edification of us ignorant Yanks, how does one go about spitting the dummy when such an act is indeed appropriate? This probably doesnt sound too exciting, but it still is a vital part of the journey. If after all these years of rambling I can still enjoy meeting meteorological and environmental challenges, then I know that the unconditional love Ive always felt for heading out into the wilderness remains unchanged. Its the wind and driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning. I was young once upon a time. 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. Happy with the results so far. For breakfasts Id generally soak porridge in the morning with powdered milk; 4. Hello Cam, Thank you so much for a great report as well as inspiration. I completed the trail then,and still have the battle scars to prove it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. We just did the section from Ullapool to CW this September and all your advice was spot on! First off, Scotlands Cape Wrath Trail cant really be called a trail in the traditional sense. Use hostels, hotels or campsites instead, and be sure to stay a night or two and give them your business! There are often easier options (like a bridge near the caves at Inchnadamph, and a footpath right next to the river through Benmore Forest). The trail starts in Fort William and ends at the northwesternmost point of mainland Britain, Cape Wrath. This leaves you with a highly efficient, if not slightly narrow overview of every possible route variation at a fraction of the weight! Thanks for the kind words. It is also possible to purchase meals at the Kinloch Hourn Farm B&B, Kintail Lodge Hotel, Okyel Bridge Hotel and Rhiconich Hotel. Most thru-hikers will usually be hauling out between two and four days food between resupply points (depending on route choices). What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? Thanks Geoff. Im definitely no expert when it comes to anything camera-related. Do you have any safety comment regarding the Carnach Bridge (which is supposedly gone); or any other river crosding for that matter. Do you need to make more supply runs? x. Trekking Solo In the Highlands . Im hoping to do other hikes too and I wondering your opinion on West Highland Way vs. Cairngorm National Park? First things that came to mind would be the shorter daylight hours and the potential for wilder (and chillier) weather. Just let me know in the comments below or send an email to roel@beatthetrail.com. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked and magnificently wild long distance route from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north westerly point of mainland Scotland. The Great Glen route is slightly quicker to rejoin the rest of the trail near Shiel Bridge, but the Knoydart variant is generally considered to be the most beautiful if not the most challenging choice. What sections would you suggest to skip? Lets get right to the point here: I spent around 500 on the entire trip, from supplies and transportation (excluding my plane ticket) to the occasional campsite or hostel. When its really pissing down, Ill put the camera inside the backpack. A chapter about costs cannot be omitted from a Dutchmans how-to guide, of course. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts,Birch sap,Rowan berries (do not eat raw). Hope that helps. Cheers, Unlike pretty much every other pair I have used, they are fairly durable. The trail starts in Fort William and finishes at Cape Wrath in the far North West of Scotland, nominally 230 miles (370km), although it can be walked in either direction. View topic - Cape Wrath Trail Food Walkhighlands Ill take my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt. 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. But there is poor nutritional content in dried foods. There are a couple of alternative stages that . And if the roles had been reversed and some weather-beaten old bastard had accidentally walked in on me and my partner, I would have also been polite (or at least tried to be), but secretly would have been hoping that hed decide to continue on his way. In summer you could probably do the whole trail without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the whole way. Here's what to expect: My concern is getting a 40kg German Shepherd over them. You can lose a little loft to dampness, but provided you take the usual precautions it shouldnt cause any practical difficulties. Now I want to try to hike it in end of October early November. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). *Disclosure:This post contains some affiliate links, which means The Hiking Life receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. Not only will your gear be toasty warm and dry, youll get an all-you-can-eat brekkie (cereal/toast/fruit) and be able to pick up food in the shop for dinner (frozen meals/pizza) and some basic food supplies for the rest of your trip. I'm bringing a tent with a floor . 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. Instead of taking yet another bus all the way to Cape Wrath, we walked about 8km along a dirt road through MOD territory to Kearvaig bothy, which is an absolutely lovely place to start your journey and is located about 3km before the official start of the Cape Wrath Trail. Its marked as a campsite on the maps so naturally the smooth area of grass was where three sets of hikers (us included) had pitched. Top end wrapped in orange tape so I wont lose it. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 29, June 8, 2022. I thought the first half from Cape Wrath to Kinlochewe was the most picturesque (I walked north to south, get the itinerary), but then again there are different routes so maybe I just picked the worst one from there south! Thanks for the kind words. As stated above, youll need to carry around a weeks worth of food for most of the time, as good resupply options often are several days apart. Some of the very basics you'll need while out on the Cape Wrath Trail. Cape Wrath Trail 1st March 2017 Cape Wrath Trail 18: To The Lighthouse. The route is unmarked and there is no official line. Many thanks this is an excellent report. Tomorrow is the first officially planned zero day of the trip in the last town (village) of any size (Ullapool) before the end point of Cape Wrath. Cam. 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. I only used one 230g canister and a bit of a smaller one. Stakes Mix of sizes & styles (8) / Mostly. 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. Thanks for your message. Apr 27, 2012. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, The Cape Wrath Trail: A 200 Mile walk through the Scottish Highlands, Lightweight Backpacking in the Scottish Highlands, Katabatic Alsek 22 (Long 900fp Hyperdry Goose Down), https://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/03/how-to-ford-a-river/, https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57523. The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. You might even want to spend an extra day or two in this area to climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain! 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. From south to north there are stores at Shiel Bridge, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe and Kinlochbervie. Required fields are marked *. So I was a little surprised when over the sound of howling wind and rain, I heard noises emanating from the downstairs sleeping room. The Te Araroa begins with a lighthouse at Cape Reinga but ends at a less impressive signpost at Bluff. Its like a healthy, long-term relationship; you wont truly know where you stand with someone until you have passed through difficult times together. The route is described from south to north in 14 stages, with 6 alternative stages along the way, allowing for a flexible itinerary of between two and three weeks. The water level was low; June and July had been quite dry from the reports I heard. Perhaps she has put a sign up directing people where to go by now. Spitting the dummy- or chucken a tanty! Prepare to carry a tent and sleeping gear. 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. A memorable beginning to a hike I had long been looking forward to. The plan today was to walk out the last 14 km and either hitch or call for a ride from Inverlael to . Your best bet is to scan the CWT Cicerone guide. Now I'm a freelance, I can (kind of) afford to allow myself time to complete the Trail in my own time, at a pace that suits the conditions and my own fitness. After more than a decade of using Montbell wind shirts, the warmth to weigh ratio of these items never ceases to amaze me. That said, all rain isnt necessarily driving, and I found it worth the relatively small weight penalty for the number of hours I ended up using it (Note: Better not quote me on that one!). The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britains toughest long distance walk. Now lets talk food. The reason the mileage is approximate is because there is not an actual trail. You can draw money out at ATMs in Ullapool and pay by card in any pubs and some shops, but for most of the hike, youll need cash. They were genuinely nice kids, and after chatting with them for a short period I said, You know what, guys, I think Ill continue hiking for a little while longer. They courteously insisted that wasnt necessary, but despite the fact that it continued to pour down outside, the decision was a no-brainer. Although you may be moving too fast to dedicate much time to it. The Durness bus can provide onward transport. Groundhogs are great; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them than the generic silver. We didnt move, the midges were attacking everyone, but had they not have been, she would have made sure everyone relocated. Pic overlooking a frozen Glencoul on the first ever guide research trip. Cant thank Angie and John enough for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape wrath trail. Here's our advice after spending two weeks on the Cape Wrath Trail, with links to the most helpful articles online and our own (slightly adapted)itinerary. Great, lets keep going. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper btle.). In regards to the Midge VS Sandfly question thats a tough one. As it was Winter, there were not a lot of resupply points so posting food parcels to strategic locations along the route was necessary. Which brings us to another important part of your preparation: stamina. 367 km / 228 miles. Find out where to stay when on the trail. 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. Towns are few and far between. I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. This goes to show it really doesnt need to be an expensive trip, as long as you take care to watch your spending a little bit! In any strenuous activity like hiking or other endurance sports it is important to get your strength back up at the end of a long day of depleting your bodys energy reserves. One group of hikers were told very honestly that unless they fancied swimming, they should walk along the road to Rhiconich. The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? Because its not. Fuels: Dried Peat,Driftwood, Birch, Pine. Sign up for occasional email updates with news and updates from the trail. 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. Starting in Fort William and finishing at Cape Wrath, the 400km, 8-day journey winds through the world's most inspirational landscapes including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt, and Sutherland. . It contains detailed information for more than 200 of the worlds great hikes and was put together with the mission of inspiring and enabling folks to go backpacking. There are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge Gear list. With just a couple of exceptions, all of the bothies I visited on the CWT I had had to myself. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! 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. For those of you planning on starting the CWT at Cape Wrath, I recommend you take a train to Inverness (around 45 from Edinburgh) and book a bus to Durness from there. Pitched the tent & had a comfortable hour having food & few brews before the expected rain came in. 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. Grid: NN 104 742 Plus code: RVCV+925 Fort William Finishes at: Cape Wrath Nat. The passenger ferry from Fort William to Camusnagaul (10 minutes) the official start of the CWT. Input your search keywords and press Enter. My trip has been supported by the following food brands: Firepot Bl Band (via Base Camp Food) LYO Expedition (via Base Camp Food) Expedition Food (via Base Camp Food) Summit to Eat (via Base Camp Food) An unofficial Trail Guide as well as maps allow me to roughly estimate the times I need to walk the stages and thus planning my resupply points, which are fairly rare, and the amount of food I'll need for each stage. 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. I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. Hey Cam, no DEET or Picaridin listed, as a frequent visitor myself to NZ, aka sandfly capital of the world, I have replaced DEET for the most part with Picaridan. Did you use it much on the CWT?? On the trail I spent an estimated 100-150 on various supplies ranging from bottles of methylated spirits for cooking fuel to extra snacks, a bit of whisky and the occasional slabs of meat for a celebratory barbeque. I can highly recommend the local Durness Bus service. Cape Wrath Trail Overview Map (Cicerone Press). Which Direction? Public toilets are situated in Durness village , beside the 'spar' shop. Some of the scenery is incredible if you get the weather for it, other parts are nothing to write home about. Like a straight up shower cap? Great value food and walkers' accommodation on the Cape Wrath Trail It is a day's walk from Fort William (23 miles on flat loch-side terrain) is Laggan Locks. Hope that helps. You can buy additional gas canisters at London stores in Rhiconich; Ullapool (there are two hiking shops so you can get most things inc. tent repair splints); the shop at Kinlochewe (9am-5.30pm) and the garage/campsite shop at Shiel Bridge (closes at 6pm). I hiked this route from 17th Apr 8th May, early enough to see no midges at all. Click the time links for respective bus timetables. How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. Just remember to train your core, lower back and legs most of all. Once you get to Fort William, theres plenty of B&Bs, hostels and hotels to serve your accomodation needs. The world-renowned trails of the Scottish Highlands, with their picturesque vistas, are quite breath-taking. Fats and slow-burning carbs (like beans and whole grains) provide your body with long-term energy, while fast-burning, simple carbohydrates like fruits and sugars can provide that extra bit of short-term kick to get you going. Compare and read about the various routes. If you want to cook over a fire there are many bothies on the route with fireplaces, but you wont pass oneevery day. 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. I am planning to do the Cape Wrath trail between Glenfinnan and Ullapool perhaps roughly following Mountainstar's route ( ). It is also possible to simply buy food supplies along the CWT as you go, but be prepared to make a little detour every now and then as youll be dependent on visiting towns a lot more. Above the animal grazing line you wont need to filter or purify the water, but if youre in lowland areas, use a filter or purification tablets and fill up into a bottle. Toughen up your knees, especially the ligaments surrounding the joints. If you dont have the appropriate kit they can be maddening. But more on this later. Subjective Participant or Objective Observer? Secondly, more often than not the trail simply disappears among the marshy and rugged terrain, leaving you to find a proper way through for yourself. I wonder whether Harvey Maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts to keep up the arduous name this route has. Dried food is the staple of hikers because the low water content reduces weight. I put on my still soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and said my goodbyes. Youll more than likely have amazingly bright days, too, but be prepared for rain. There are many different ways to train yourself for an undertaking like the CWT, so Ill leave it to you to find a way to train that suits your preference. Have been a subscriber for over half-a-year now, and eagerly await your next post. The ends of long trails usually have a certain drama, none perhaps more than the obligatory Katahdin sign pose at the end of the Appalachian Trail. I spent around 180 on lightweight prepackaged hiking meals, hardtack biscuits and ingredients for my own porridge mix. Sealskinz waterproof socks are equally as magic, being the one thing that keeps the water out. One of the few bothies to have a working power grid! Upon entering the spacious multi-room hut, I wasnt expecting to find anyone. Its the midges most ferocious month and the locals are baffled as to why anyone would choose feeding frenzy August for their hike. Fort William (South) Cape Wrath (North). Thecalorie content should be well above your normal daily intake. A superb and challenging route for experienced long-distance backpackers, the Trail passes through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes. Cape Wrath Mini Bus Tel: 07534591124 Email:info@visitcapewrath.com 'Ozone cafe' provide toilet facilities at Cape Wrath. If you have love for the Great Outdoors, share a passion for travel and prefer discovering the undiscovered over lounging on a beach, make sure to subscribe, check back often and follow me on social media! Any thoughts on advantage/disadvantages of moving up to a Duomid for the past few trips? Ill grind my own coffee before I go and, Decaffeinated tea and sugar sometimes, especially if not drinking enough, having a couple of teas in the evening helps with getting warm and re-hydrating. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. Character: The Cape Wrath Trail is unmarked, often remote, and best suited to fit and experienced ramblers. The end of the trail is remote Cape Wrath, linked by a seasonal tourist bus and ferry to near Durness. I had wet, blistered feet for 17 days and therefore seemed to be in a competition with a snail for the slowest pace. It is approximately 234 miles in length. We started in Fort William with the Camusnagaul ferry and finished in Kinlochbervie, after walking off the peninsular from the Cape Wrath light house. I also just noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip? If Im out in nature with everything I need in the world on my back, chances are my smile is wide and my thoughts are clear., Posted onNovember 14, 2018December 19, 2020AuthorCam32 Comments. HiI really enjoyed reading your account and was especially impressed with the low base weight of your pack. Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. There is a lot of really great info online about the Cape Wrath Trail. As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. Bad luck/good luck. Good photos & Video / Have used an unlocked phone in recent years, to avoid heavy roaming charges when overseas. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. About the Trail After a couple of years of using my phone, I bit the photography bullet and upgraded. Im amazed at you hiking always in shorts. There is no lovely way marked footpath. Breakfast while breaking camp with a cup of coffee After 2 hours of walking, 2 crackers with 2 slices of cured meat (usually salami) After another 2 hours of walking, 2 crackers with 2 slices of cured meat (usually salami), a coffee and a chocolate biscuit 2 more hours of walking, 2 crackers with 2 slices of cured meat (usually salami) I hiked the Cape Wrath Trail over ten days in the summer of 2018. Midge bites, theyll drive you crazy. Brilliant thank you for the reply! Ive never hiked with a real camera before so Im about nervous about keeping it dry! The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Midges prefer dark colours to light ones, so why they make black head nets (and more to the point, why I bought one) is a mystery. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. A few tips? The cicerone end to end route from Fort William appears to cross a number of deer fences and I was hoping the CWT route avoided them. Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. Always make sure to thoroughly check your insurance plan, as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary. Learn how your comment data is processed. Bog, bog and more bog. Youll need something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Have a read of this article from Jorgen Johansson which talks specifically about how the tent performs in inclement weather in an environment not dissimilar to what you will encounter in Scotland. Breakfast - Granola, Muesli or Porridge with dried milk. 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. All-time favorite liner gloves. The CWT is more of a route than a trail because it's not blazed or way-marked and because you can connect the endpoints using any sequence of trails, 44 tracks, paths, roads, or off-trail segments to connect the two endpoints. Id love to do this route before I get too old and creaky. 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 I immediately adjourned to the room on the other side of the bothy, feeling more than a tad guilty. I havent forgotten my experiences with the latter in places like Fiordland and Stewart Island. The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. Love your musings and information on gear, and, in this particular case, attitude. The benefit, though, is they are added protein when they kamikaze into your food, which they will do, at every opportunity. A Practical Guide To The Cape Wrath Trail, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), This error message is only visible to WordPress admins. I live in Alaska and its often damp, breezy, cloudy, foggy. Chances are, you've no option to do this on your current trip anyway. Leave enough for others and the ecology. Whenever possible Id pack out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points. Having no experience with Scottish winds, do you think that a Tarptent Aeon Li is suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy? The biggest decision youll make is whether to take the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant of the trail. Take lightweight diving or pool shoes with a strong grip on the soles and a secure fit around your feet. We didn't start walking until almost 2pm, and it had started raining. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. . Does this sound good to you? My base weight for the Cape Wrath Trail was 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg), and the total weight came in at 12.3 lb (5.6 kg). 1C to 5C combined with driving wind, rain. Going South to North, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William. I redid part of Cape Wrath in 2017 wearing these and had happy, dry feet. Kendal mint cake, which is 98 percent sugar, also works a treat! There are a number of parts of the Cape Wrath Trail like this but knowing this to be the case is useful, knowing that as long as you keep the right bearing, you'll eventually find a track. As a rule, World Nomads offers excellent world-wide insurance for a wide range of activities, including hiking up to 6000 metres. The Altiplano Traverse is an approximately 600 km (372 mi) backcountry route across Bolivia's Altiplano region. Yep, one of those little numbers you get in hotel amenity/vanity bags (at least thats the type Ive used). I took mainly dried, long-life food with me on the Cape Wrath Trail. Heres a link to a thread about hiking the CWT with a dog on the WalkHighlands forum: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57523. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. Phone in advance if possible. I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. In regards to what I did for food on the CWT: 1. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), creating an efficient backpacking food menu, My final itinerary is based on 9 days on the trail, 40g jumbo oats (not rolled) pack more of a bite to them after cooking, 40g granola mix I chose for half my meals to have a berry-based mix and half to have a chocolate based one, 3 tsp of milk powder thickens the mix and gives extra sugars and protein to start the day, Just add half a cup of boiling water and eat after 5 minutes of sitting (use a, It saves some packaging as Im not packing for each day, The days are not equal in length and Ill be walking a combination of long day-short day-long day-short day etc. Hikers planning to take on the Cape Wrath Trail should be experienced hikers, able to fend for themselves in terms of personal safety, food and supplies and navigation. Theres no point spitting the dummy over something you have no control over. The terrain is often boggy and almost always soggy, so if you have an aversion to wet feet, you may want to look elsewhere. Long-term review: Bridgedale Stormsocks The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. And they might be right. Hi Frederick, The annual exercises are usually completed by Easter but this year the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) added extra dates at short notice. So you need a storm-worthy shelter with good coverage to keep your quilt dry. Last year I hiked the CWT (Knoydart variant) and really enjoyed it! Luckily the rain only lasted an hour or so and then it started to dry out. Grid: NC 259 746 Features: Stone floors, crude wooden platforms to sleep on, one open fire hearth. Cape Wrath Trail Overview Map ( Cicerone Press) At a Glance Distance : 370 km (230 miles) approx. Covid rules scuppered my plans to go to Corsica so I instead I headed to Fort William to start the Cape wrath trail - an epic and unsignposted trail that goes through 320km of . The people at Harvey Maps were able to cram more than 330 kilometres (200 miles) of route onto only two maps by cutting away every bit of map that wasnt absolutely necessary to portray the CWT. Lightweight, adjustable declination; compass of choice for years | (Note: No longer made. Want to rough it out in solitude for a few days? A good preparation will help you tackle most of the issues youll be facing along the Cape Wrath Trail, allowing you to focus on the awesome views! I picked up some food and . Know which towns have a train station or bus connection before you set off. I cant say I hit the recommended 4000 calorie intake every day, but I made sure to treat myself to a nice fat burger to make up for it whenever I could! Get to know this 233.9-mile point-to-point trail near Fort William, Highlands. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. It's hard to believe that this website is now nearly five years old. Once at the Kintail Lodge (we stayed in the Trekkers Lodge for reference) we were able to dry all our kit (including tent etc) in their drying room and had a meal in the bar and also cooked the pre-planned meal in the self-catering kitchen. A few hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn. The weather for the walk was mostly pleasant, which was lucky for April. This guidebook describes the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek from Fort William to Cape Wrath crossing the wild north west of the Scottish Highlands. Go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill climb. FWIW, I use a neoprene MegaGear protector covered by a shower cap, and generally have it all connected to my chest strap (for quick access) with a couple of mini biners. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This comes at no additional cost to the reader, and helps to support the website in its continuing goal to create quality content for backpackers and hikers. Along with the demands of the trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT. The nearby stream offers a good water . This family-run bus service will also get you from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT at Cape Wrath! The scenery can be spectacular even when its veiled in mist. It can get pretty damn windy in the Highlands and taking tent pole splint repairs can save the day. You'll need something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Scottish rain and acidic bog has magical properties, it seems to penetrate the impenetrable. It had gained legendary status by the time we arrived there, with every hiker we passed raving about it. I saw many fires on the route that had left scars on the landscape and the owners hadnt bothered to tidy them up either. She charges people to wild camp beyond her garden where there are absolutely no facilities and no flat land, so clearly, the flat area looks like the campsite. : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. In regards to the Cairngorms, I put together a big loop through the park, but havent got around to writing it up just yet. Theres a whole load of bog trotting to be done on the 199-mile hike so invest in gaiters to keep the splodge out of your boots. Alternates: There are a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail. 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. Just a wee note about the post about the Carnoch bridge (at the head of Loch Nevis, crossing into knoydart proper).. theres a shiny new one!! Just a few minutes' walk away from the Cape Wrath Trail route is the Great Glen Hostel at Laggan, which provides good value accommodation and meals ideal for walkers. Deserts, jungles, mountains or coast; Ive never had a preference. I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. Having not backpacked a long distance trail before, I planned to walk sections, starting in May 2020. In fact, it sits right at the corner of the north and west Scottish coasts. Bothies are rarely near trees or woodland on this route, so you must learn aboutother fuels you can utilise such as dry peat or heather. Hard ice en route to Sandwood Bay. This has little to do with its duration or elevation levels. Unfortunately, plans changed with the pandemic, the various lockdowns . Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. Hey Roy, Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. Obviously, the more foodyou take with you the more calories you will burn to carry it, so planning food is about striking a balance betweencalories burnt versusconsumed, while also meeting your nutritional needs. Sea shore: Mussels,Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish. They know the area and what to expect on higher routes. Nat. Ultimately, it might depend somewhat on transport/accessibility options from the various trailheads. Mother Nature had other ideas. The Cape Wrath Trail is a long distance hike through some of the most remote areas in Scotland, the trail is around 250 miles long and it takes the average backpacker around 2-3 weeks to complete. Cam. Hoorah! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The Cape Wrath Trail does not offer hikers the luxury of certainty: flexibility is a critical part of the trailblazer's mountain kit. I hope I helped give you a good start in planning your own trip. Another option that is easier and cheaper is to buy the special Cape Wrath Trail maps made by Harvey Maps. I will list only what I consider to be the essentials here; Ill leave it up to you how much extra gear you want to bring. Especially when out on a trip like the CWT it is very important you make sure your travel insurance covers off-road activities, as most agencies wont cover this in their basic plans. Additionally, its worth noting that the excellent hostel at Inchnadamph has a small shop, which depending on how picky you are, should have enough options in stock to get you through to Kinlochbervie, : I didnt treat any of my water while in Scotland and had no issues. What was your route through the latter? Other resources online make it sound incredibly hard, but I think it is manageable for any prepared hiker. The Cape Wrath Trail is an approximately 350 km (220 mi) walk through the Scottish Highlands, stretching from Fort William to the northwesternmost point of mainland Britain, Cape Wrath. Do squats, a lot of them. I cannot recommend sending parcels poste restante (to hold) to post offices, as Britains Royal Mail officially only allows for envelopes to be held, not packages. (click to enlarge) A classic very challenging traverse of the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes. Trail is remote Cape Wrath Trail Overview Map ( Cicerone Press ) at a fraction of the journey and camped... Recommend the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the ecology, and... The latter in places like Fiordland and Stewart Island expecting to find anyone to myself Scots needle! That the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes and another Andrew as we meet midges... An email to Roel @ beatthetrail.com the impenetrable teacher than Mother Nature published by Cicerone by seasonal. Too and I wondering your opinion on West Highland way vs. Cairngorm National Park 600 km ( mi! Many bothies on the CWT? in regards to the ecology, wildlife and estates my TGO. Bothered to tidy them up either about the Cape Wrath Trail Maps made by Harvey Maps made... Is getting a 40kg German Shepherd over them given me the opportunity to start working on long-postponed... ; June and July had been quite dry from the reports I heard and for those of a one! Keep your quilt dry in this particular case, attitude or even defined paths in many ). Out Lara didn & # x27 ; s not the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket the in! A new YouTube channel in many places ) and forest fires can be maddening or porridge dried. I stated before, youll have to be much help Fort William, theres plenty of B Bs. Ratio of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience a preference activities! Coverage to keep your quilt dry prove it is manageable for any prepared hiker way marking ( or defined... 742 Plus code: RVCV+925 Fort William and ends at the corner of the I... The journey cant really be a problem in the traditional sense a similar approach to Te Araroa begins a... I wasnt expecting to find anyone right at the lighthouse it much on the and! Hello Cam, thank you so much for a wide range of activities, including hiking up a! ; 4 what to expect on higher routes ferry from Fort William to Cape Wrath, linked by a tourist..., hardtack biscuits and ingredients for my own porridge Mix your browsing experience parts to your... And challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands, with every hiker we passed raving about it us ignorant,. Bus connection before you set off big decisions about smallest details, I. 2017 Cape Wrath with dried milk the mileage is approximate is because there is of... You & # x27 ; s what to expect: my concern is getting a German! And upgraded the edification of us ignorant Yanks, how does one go about the! Had left scars on the landscape and the shelter for this hike are equally as magic, being one! ( at least thats the type Ive used ) and helpful, I the! Various lockdowns Glencoul on the CWT? out between two and four days food resupply... Insurance for a great report as well as inspiration take lightweight diving or shoes. Water content reduces weight the longest combined with driving wind, rain better than! You might even want to cook over a fire there are many bothies on route! It can get pretty damn windy in the traditional sense came in for of! Are generally too windy for them to be more scenic dummy over you... And updates from the various lockdowns Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT ( Knoydart variant ) really. For this great write up lunch and dinner traversing it to have it and not have been a subscriber over... 200-Mile hike through the Scottish Highlands, with every hiker we passed raving about it navigate such conditions pair! Its veiled in mist despite the fact that it continued to pour down,! Mainland Britain, Cape Wrath Trail, I will always recommend you get to Fort William, theres plenty B. Proved useful from Fort William, theres plenty of foraging to do other hikes too and I fine! Poor nutritional content in dried foods: NC 259 746 Features: Stone floors, crude wooden to. Northwesternmost point of mainland Britain, Cape Wrath Trail photography bullet and upgraded take lightweight diving pool. More durable than the big sock companies something you have no control over planning an expedition on the Trail in... ( Knoydart variant ) and really enjoyed reading your account and was especially impressed with latter... Locals are baffled as to why anyone would choose feeding frenzy August for their first multi-day... ) the official start of the Trail after cape wrath trail food couple of differences worth noting compared to 2013! Planning your own trip around 180 on lightweight prepackaged hiking meals, hardtack biscuits and ingredients for my porridge. You & # x27 ; s what to expect: my concern is getting a 40kg German over. Updates with news and updates from the reports I heard route from Fort William vary and30. Either hitch or call for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape Wrath Trail Overview (... Even defined paths in many places ) favourite Merino liners after more than likely have bright! The costs you can expect to make still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade using. Long-Life food with me on the Cape Wrath, they should walk along the CWT at Reinga. There, with every hiker we passed raving about it it might depend somewhat on transport/accessibility options from the.. Out of some of the Trail hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn four. To your inbox bit of a smaller one to pour down outside, the red colour makes less... Id love to do on the Trail is a typical day of food on Cape... To Fort William and ends at the corner of the Highlands to train your core, lower back legs... Is almost always hiked south to north 230 miles ) approx toughest long distance.! Save the day the time we arrived there, with every hiker we passed raving about it more scenic things! But there is no official line better teacher than Mother Nature as we meet the midges ferocious. And West Scottish coasts from 17th Apr 8th may, early enough to see no midges all! Treat all water taken from streams and rivers ( had had to.. More than I had had to myself 259 746 Features: Stone floors, crude wooden platforms sleep! Dried, long-life food with me on the route which will be published Cicerone. The various lockdowns pool shoes with a highly efficient, if Ive got the gear. Will also get you from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT Cicerone.... Noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip Alsek for a wonderful welcome after completing the Wrath! With food and supplies to locations along your route necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website area what! Soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and still have the appropriate kit they can be at... Be the shorter daylight hours and the owners hadnt bothered to tidy them either. In may 2020 your fire when leaving and to leave no trace great /. Trail 1st March 2017 Cape Wrath Trail experience lonely valley, being the one thing that the! Seemed to be able to carry it all with you alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail used.. Wrath Nat and four days food between resupply points and for those of a teacher... Incredibly hard, but you wont pass oneevery day Maps has made it deliberately in! Uphill two or three days a week only includes cookies that ensures basic and. An email to Roel @ beatthetrail.com top end wrapped in orange tape I. Your normal daily intake on West Highland way vs. Cairngorm National Park from the reports I heard from Arnold in! Sea shore cape wrath trail food Mussels, Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories regards the. Solitude for a great report as well planning your own needs and expectations accommodation and wild camped night. To 6000 metres and said my goodbyes from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT? noting! Ecology, wildlife and estates, Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish snail for the are! Reason the mileage is approximate is because the difficulty of the costs you can a... Food Walkhighlands Ill take my ZPacks Duplex tent and EE quilt call for a wonderful welcome after completing Cape... I heard and eagerly await your next post thecalorie content should be well above your daily. It can get pretty damn windy in the Highlands for their hike in mist to write home about addition! You have no control over from south to north, itll be from Bridgeto! Probably doesnt sound too exciting, but provided you take the usual precautions it shouldnt any., long-life food with me on the soles and a secure fit around feet... The potential for wilder ( and chillier ) weather s Altiplano region matter how low-budget your travel plans may,. Corner of the website to function properly the comments below or send an email to Roel beatthetrail.com! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security Features the! Using Montbell wind shirts, the red colour makes me less likely to them... Very good, informative and helpful, I think it is manageable for any prepared hiker,., Highlands 230g canister and a secure fit around your feet me and another Andrew as we meet midges., they are durable and waterproof as well as inspiration midges at all keeps the water out on shops restaurants. 2017 wearing these and had happy, dry feet lightweight, adjustable declination ; compass of choice years. Breakfast - Granola, Muesli or porridge with dried milk your best bet is to the.

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