Cape Wrath Trail: Complete Planning Guide

Quick Summary

• 230 miles from Fort William to Cape Wrath across the wildest terrain in Britain — no waymarking, no maintained path for long sections, multiple river crossings
• Most walkers take 14-21 days, carrying full wild camping kit and resupplying at 4-5 villages spaced 2-4 days apart
• This is not a trail in any conventional sense — roughly 40% is on paths, 30% on stalkers' tracks, and 30% is pathless bog, heather and river crossings
• Compare routes first — our Route Compare tool puts the Cape Wrath Trail alongside the WHW, Great Glen Way and other Scottish trails so you can see the difference in difficulty

The Cape Wrath Trail is Britain's longest and hardest backpacking route. It has no official status, no waymarking, no single defined route and no safety infrastructure. There are stretches of 40+ miles between any form of shelter. The terrain includes some of the most remote wilderness in Western Europe — Knoydart, Fisherfield, Assynt — places where you can walk for two days without seeing another person or crossing a road.

Quick Answer: The Cape Wrath Trail runs approximately 230 miles (370km) from Fort William to Cape Wrath lighthouse at the north-west tip of Scotland. There is no single official route — several variants exist, all sharing the same start and finish. Most walkers take 14-21 days, wild camping throughout and resupplying at Kinlochourn, Strathcarron/Torridon, Ullapool and Kinlochbervie/Durness. The trail requires advanced navigation skills, river crossing competence, full wild camping self-sufficiency and genuine mountain fitness. It is not a walk you should attempt as your first long-distance trail.

Route overview

The CWT has no waymarks and no single definitive route. Several well-documented variants exist, all starting in Fort William and finishing at Cape Wrath lighthouse. The main decision points are:

Southern section: Fort William to Strathcarron (~90 miles, 5-7 days)

Two main options:

• Western (Knoydart) variant — via Glenfinnan, A'Chuil bothy, Sourlies bothy, Inverie, Barrisdale, Kinlochourn. The harder, wilder, more rewarding option. Includes the Mam Barrisdale pass (461m) and remote lochside walking. This is where most people decide whether they can finish the trail.
• Eastern variant — via the Great Glen Way to Invergarry, then north through Glen Kingie. Easier terrain but less dramatic. A reasonable option in bad weather or if Knoydart river crossings are impassable.

Central section: Strathcarron to Ullapool (~70 miles, 4-6 days)

Through Torridon and Fisherfield — the most remote section of the trail. Options include:

• Fisherfield Forest — the Great Wilderness. Pathless, boggy, no shelter for 20+ miles. Stunning if the weather holds. Terrifying if it doesn't.
• Torridon to Kinlochewe — easier path networks but still remote.
• Dundonnell — a common resupply/rest point with a hotel and the only road for miles.

Northern section: Ullapool to Cape Wrath (~70 miles, 4-6 days)

Through Assynt and Sutherland to the cape. The terrain becomes more open — vast moorland, isolated peaks (Suilven, Quinag, Foinaven visible), and the extraordinary emptiness of the far north-west.

The final challenge is the Cape Wrath peninsula itself — the last 11 miles from the Kyle of Durness ferry to the lighthouse, across an MoD bombing range (check firing times).

Resupply

This is the logistical crux of the CWT. You cannot carry 14-21 days of food. The resupply points are few, small and widely spaced.

Postal resupply is essential for at least 1-2 points. Most walkers post food parcels to themselves at a hostel, hotel or post office along the route. The hostel at Kinlochourn (if open) and Ullapool are the most common drop points. Pack food parcels in waterproof bags with your name and expected arrival date clearly marked.

Kit

You need full wild camping self-sufficiency for the entire trail. See our Wild Camping Gear List for Scotland for the complete breakdown. CWT-specific additions:

• River crossing shoes — lightweight sandals or old trainers for wading. Multiple knee-to-thigh-deep crossings, particularly in the Knoydart section.
• Trekking poles — not optional on the CWT. Essential for bog, river crossings and balance on pathless terrain.
• Two OS maps minimum — Landranger 33, 19, 15, 9 cover the main route. Harvey's Cape Wrath Trail map covers the whole route on one sheet.
• GPS device or phone with offline maps — backup navigation for the pathless sections. Do not rely on phone signal — there is none for days at a time.
• 8+ days of food capacity between resupplies — the Strathcarron-to-Ullapool section can take 5-6 days with no resupply.

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When to go

• May-June — longest daylight (17-18 hours), wildflowers, snow possible on high passes. River levels can be high from snowmelt. Midges start late May.
• July-August — warmest, peak midge season. Rivers lower but still crossable after rain. Most walkers on the trail.
• September — midges declining, autumn colours starting, shorter days (13 hours). Rivers can be high after autumn rain.

Avoid October-April entirely. The route is not viable in winter — river crossings become dangerous, daylight is insufficient, and the pathless sections are impassable in snow.

Frequently Asked Questions

How hard is the Cape Wrath Trail?

It is the hardest long-distance walk in Britain. The difficulty comes from three factors: pathless terrain (30%+ of the route has no path), river crossings (multiple knee-to-thigh-deep fords with no bridges), and remoteness (sections of 40+ miles with no road, no shelter, no phone signal). You need advanced navigation, wild camping self-sufficiency and genuine mountain fitness.

How long does the Cape Wrath Trail take?

Most walkers take 14-21 days, averaging 12-18 miles per day. Fast and fit walkers have completed it in 10-12 days. The speed depends heavily on weather — two days of rain can make pathless sections almost impassable and add a full rest day.

Is the Cape Wrath Trail waymarked?

No. There are no waymarks, no signposts and no maintained path for roughly a third of the route. You navigate by map, compass and GPS. This is not a trail you can follow by sight.

Can I do the Cape Wrath Trail with accommodation?

Partially. Bothies (Sourlies, A'Chuil, others) provide free basic shelter on some nights. Hotels and hostels exist at Inverie, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe, Ullapool and Durness. But multiple nights require wild camping — there is no accommodation infrastructure for 3-4 day stretches in the middle sections.

What is the best guidebook for the Cape Wrath Trail?

Iain Harper's The Cape Wrath Trail (Cicerone Press) is the standard reference. It covers multiple route variants with detailed route descriptions, maps and practical information. The Harvey map (1:40,000) covers the whole route on one waterproof sheet and is essential alongside OS maps.

Do I need to be able to swim for the river crossings?

No, but you need to be comfortable wading in thigh-deep water with a current. Trekking poles and river crossing shoes are essential. If a river is too high to cross safely (above thigh-deep, fast current, unclear footing), wait or find an alternative crossing point upstream. People have drowned on the CWT — river crossings are the most objectively dangerous part of the trail.

Related Articles

• West Highland Way Planning Guide — the trail most CWT walkers complete first
• The Essential Wild Camping Gear List for Scotland — full kit breakdown for multi-day wild camping
• Wild Camping in Scotland: What the Access Code Actually Means — your rights and responsibilities on the trail
• Scottish Bothies for Beginners — free shelters you can use on the CWT
• OutdoorSCOT Route Compare — side-by-side trail comparison
• Naismith's Rule Calculator — realistic timing for pathless terrain

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional instruction or safety guidance. The Cape Wrath Trail crosses remote, pathless and potentially dangerous terrain including unbridged river crossings and an active MoD firing range. Route conditions change with weather — always check river levels, ferry schedules and MoD firing times before setting out. Carry appropriate equipment and navigation tools. Consider your experience level honestly before attempting this route. OutdoorSCOT is not liable for any incidents arising from the use of this information.

Sources

• Cape Wrath Trail — capewrathtrail.org — CWT community
• Mountaineering Scotland — Mountaineering Scotland
• Scottish Outdoor Access Code — NatureScot
• Mountain Weather Information Service — MWIS
• Cape Wrath Mini-Bus and Ferry — Cape Wrath ferry service
• Ordnance Survey Maps — Ordnance Survey