Cape Wrath Trail
A long-distance walk of 234 miles, reputedly the toughest long-distance walk in Great Britain. It is a hiking route that runs through the Scottish Highlands and along the west coast of Scotland between Fort William and Cape Wrath. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: NN 104 742
Distance: 234 miles (377 km)
Time: 120–160 hours
Duration: 18–30 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer / Landranger Maps:
391 Ardgour and Strontian
392 Ben Nevis and Fort William
399 Loch Arkaig
400 Loch Lochy and Glen Roy
413 Knoydart, Loch Hourn and Loch Duich
414 Glen Shiel and Kintail Forest
429 Glen Carron and West Monar
433 Torridon, Beinn Eighe and Liathach
435 An Teallach and Slioch
436 Beinn Dearg, Loch Fannich and Ullapool
439 Coigach and Summer Isles
440 Glen Cassley and Glen Oykel
442 Assynt, Lochinver, Kylesku and Inchnadamph
445 Foinaven, Arkle, Kylesku and Scourie
446 Durness and Cape Wrath
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, spanning approximately 234 miles. Despite not being an officially recognised National Trail, it has grown to be one of the most highly regarded backpacking routes, attracting experienced hikers from around the world. The trek was pioneered in the early 1990s by David Paterson, who in 1996 published a book entitled The Cape Wrath Trail: A New 200-mile Walking Route Through the North-west Scottish Highlands. This was followed in 1999 by a separate publication (“North to the Cape: A trek from Fort William to Cape Wrath”) by Denis Brook and Phil Hinchliffe. While the books cite slightly different routes, the intention remains the same: to forge a demanding wilderness route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The Cape Wrath Trail connects with the West Highland Way, and I used both routes on my 1,200-mile trek from the north to the south of the British mainland in my Great British Walk.