Long distance
Sutherland Trail
An unofficial route through the wildest landscape in mainland Britain. Passes Suilven, Canisp, Ben More Assynt and the limestone karst of Knockan Crag. No waymarks, no crowds, no safety net.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 112 km/ 70 mi
- Typical days
- 6
- Total ascent
- 3200 m
- Difficulty
- challenging
- Start → Finish
- Lochinver → Tongue
- Best direction
- West to East
⚠ Not waymarked — navigation skills required
Our take
The Sutherland Trail is for experienced backpackers who want genuine wilderness without the Cape Wrath Trail's length. The mountain scenery is extraordinary — Suilven, Canisp and the Assynt peaks are unlike anything else in Scotland. Navigation skills are essential as the route is unmarked and passes through trackless terrain. Midges in July will test your commitment to outdoor living.
Highlights
- Suilven — the most distinctive mountain in Scotland
- Ben More Assynt
- Knockan Crag geological trail
- Loch Shin and the Flow Country approach
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 6-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Lochinver to Inchnadamph22km · 600m ascent
East from Lochinver through the Assynt landscape past Suilven — Scotland's most distinctive mountain — to Inchnadamph Lodge on Loch Assynt.
- Terrain
- Rough moorland paths, trackless ground, some river crossings. Navigation essential.
- Overnight
- Inchnadamph Lodge hostel. Wild camping near the loch.
- Stats
- Lochinver → Inchnadamph · 22km · ↑600m
2Inchnadamph to Knockdamph18km · 550m ascent
Past the geological wonder of Knockan Crag and over the hills towards Ben More Assynt. Truly remote terrain with no habitation.
- Terrain
- Hill paths, rough moorland, river crossings. Remote and demanding.
- Overnight
- Knockdamph bothy or wild camping. No other options.
- Stats
- Inchnadamph → Knockdamph Bothy · 18km · ↑550m
3Knockdamph to Crask Inn20km · 550m ascent
Through the empty heart of Sutherland past Loch Shin. The landscape is vast and treeless — the Flow Country begins to dominate.
- Terrain
- Rough paths, moorland, bog. Slow going in wet conditions.
- Overnight
- Crask Inn — one of Britain's most remote pubs. Wild camping.
- Stats
- Knockdamph Bothy → Crask Inn · 20km · ↑550m
4Crask Inn to Altnaharra16km · 400m ascent
Along Loch Shin and over to Loch Naver at Altnaharra. The hamlet holds the UK's cold temperature record and has a genuine end-of-the-world feel.
- Terrain
- Loch-shore paths, moorland tracks, some road walking.
- Overnight
- Altnaharra Hotel. Wild camping by Loch Naver.
- Stats
- Crask Inn → Altnaharra · 16km · ↑400m
5Altnaharra to Syre18km · 500m ascent
Down Strathnaver — the valley of the Highland Clearances. The Clearance memorials and ruined townships are deeply moving.
- Terrain
- Glen paths, riverside tracks, farm roads.
- Overnight
- Syre has very limited options. Wild camping in the glen.
- Stats
- Altnaharra → Syre · 18km · ↑500m
6Syre to Tongue18km · 500m ascent
Over the final hills to the north coast at Tongue, with views to Ben Hope and Ben Loyal. The Kyle of Tongue and Castle Varrich mark the finish.
- Terrain
- Hill paths, moorland, descent to the coast.
- Overnight
- Tongue has the Ben Loyal Hotel and B&Bs. Bus connections east and west along the north coast.
- Stats
- Syre → Tongue · 18km · ↑500m
Best months
Accommodation
Lochinver, Inchnadamph and Altnaharra have limited B&Bs. Wild camping is the primary option. Inchnadamph Lodge hostel is a welcome mid-route stop.
Resupply
Lochinver has a good shop. Inchnadamph has nothing. No resupply between Lochinver and Tongue (5 days). Carry all food.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Lochinver)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:26
- Sunset
- 21:10
- Civil dawn
- 04:37
- Civil dusk
- 21:59
NOAA Solar Calculator · 2 May 2026
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