Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
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View Package PricesSunday18 April 2027Monday26 April 2027
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View Package PricesSunday30 May 2027Monday7 June 2027
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View Package PricesSunday12 September 2027Monday20 September 2027
Overview
This 7-day walk covers the Cape Wrath Trail from Ullapool to Cape Wrath.
One of the most challenging treks in the UK, this 101-mile journey takes you through the spectacular far north of Scotland. Some big days on the trail allow you to experience magnificent mountains, stunning coastlines, and everything in between before finishing at Cape Wrath, the north-westerly point of the UK mainland.
The Cape Wrath Trail is a must for any multi-day hiking enthusiast.
Highlights of the Cape Wrath Trail North
- The chance to trek the UK’s toughest long-distance walk.
- Hike through the geologically significant and iconic mountains of the North West Highlands.
- Visit one of Scotland’s most remote but beautiful beaches, Sandwood Bay.
- Reaching The Cape Wrath Lighthouse on the north-west tip of Scotland.
Itinerary
Each day, you will be guided along the Cape Wrath Trail by your qualified and friendly walking guide, and all the logistics of your trek will be managed by your trek manager, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
At the end of each day you will be taken to your accommodation. We will be with you from the moment you set off in the morning to the moment you arrive at your accommodation in the evening.
You will only need to carry your day bag, with essentials to keep you warm, dry, fed, and hydrated for the day. Your main luggage will be transported to your next accommodation for you.
Everything will be taken care of so that you can just enjoy the walking!
Today is the day we will all make our way to Ullapool to begin our Cape Wrath Trail adventure (or if you joined us on the Cape Wrath Trail South this will be a rest day between sections). In the evening, you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group, as well as your guides, for a welcome evening and briefing. This will be in a local pub/restaurant where you will have the option of an evening meal.
Accommodation in Ullapool
Today you will start by leaving the road and heading into the forest above Loch Broom, climbing steadily up to 600m. We will descend into Glen Achall and cross the river using a wire suspension bridge. From the river, it is just a short walk to Loch an Daimh, a beautifully remote spot for a lunch break.
You will leave Loch an Daimh by heading northeast on small footpaths, walking through Glen Elnig before following forestry tracks all the way to Oykel Bridge. Once at Oykel Bridge, we will return to Ullapool. This is a longer drive and takes around 45 minutes, but it is a chance to enjoy the scenery of Coigach and Assynt, including spectacular views of Suilven.
Distance: 18 miles (29km)
Total ascent: 750m
Time: 7.5-8.5 hours
Accommodation in Ullapool
We begin this day on a good track, eating up the miles through Glen Oykel, alongside the river and forestry. A smaller, rougher trail then takes us from Salachy to Loch Ailsh before we head up into the beautiful mountains of Assynt.
We hike towards the isolated Dubh Loch Mor, the source of the River Oykel, as our trail peters out. From here we have options dependent on river levels. We may take a direct approach across the rough moorland to the river crossing and then a steep climb to the bealach (mountain pass). Alternatively we may continue right up to Dubh Loch Mor and then traverse to the rocky bealach to the southwest of Conival and reach our highest point for the day at 560m. Then we will pick our way down steep slopes and onto well-worn tracks to Inchnadamph. We’ll finish the day at the Inchnadamph Hotel.
Distance: 20 miles (32km)
Total ascent: 700m
Time: 9.5-10.5 hours
Accommodation in or near Inchnadamph
Probably the most challenging day of the whole trek, and for this, we will make an early start. This day takes us through the wild heart of Assynt and some of the most spectacular scenery in the Highlands.
We start by heading over the hills to the second of the great waterfalls on the Cape Wrath Trail – Eas a’ Chual Aluinn. This is the UK’s highest waterfall and a spectacular sight in spate. The day continues with stunning scenery as we follow rough tracks around the shores of the sea lochs, Glencoul and Glendhu.
We pass two bothies (remote mountain shelters). As we pass the second of these, the path starts to improve and a good track guides us into Kylestrome, with views of Kylesku Bridge and Quinag in the background. Expect a later finish, and after this big day you’ll be ready for the short section which follows tomorrow.
Distance: 17.5 miles (28.5km)
Total ascent: 1120m
Time: 10-12 hours
Accommodation in or near Inchnadamph
A shorter day is in store today. You will begin the day by ascending steeply on land rover tracks, but the angle will soon ease as you continue past a number of small lochans and gain views of the sea.
A diversion can be made (for groups with enough energy) to the flat rocky top of Ben Dreavie. This is a wonderful viewpoint of the northwest coast and on a good weather day is well worth the extra 2 miles. You will then enter Achfary Forest to descend to the road. After a small section on the road to finish.
Distance: 7.5 miles (12km)
Total ascent: 480m
Time: 5.5-6 hours
Accommodation in Kinlochbervie
Highlights of today include an atmospheric walk past mountain lochans and incredible rock formations. The imposing eastern walls of Foinaven provide an impressive backdrop to Loch Dionard.
Much of today’s walking will be on paths; however, we will also be tackling smaller sections of very rough, boggy terrain unaided by any paths. We will eventually finish the day by following the River Dionard on a land rover track to the road.
Distance: 15 miles (24.5km)
Total ascent: 750m
Time: 7.5-8.5 hours
Accommodation in Kinlochbervie
This is a day of two halves. We will begin by walking two lengthy sections of road, split by a short cut through Achriesgill, to the small fishing village of Kinlochbervie.
Then we will leave the road and follow the rugged shoreline, passing two beautiful sandy beaches below the hamlet of Oldshoremore to reach Blairmore. (This section is a Thistle Trekking addition to the original Cape Wrath Trail route and avoids further road walking – it has even been a favourite section of the whole trail by a few of our walkers since we introduced it in 2018!)
Distance: 11 miles (18km)
Total ascent: 420m
Time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation in Kinlochbervie
If the Cape Wrath Ferry is running on this day (which cannot be guaranteed until you are on it!), then we will use the ferry to get to Cape Wrath and walk south down the coast to Blairmore. This makes the final day much more achievable.
If the ferry isn’t running, then we will make a very early start and attempt a there-and-back to the Cape.
Once photos and maybe a tea/coffee have been taken at the lighthouse, we will set off south on the rough lighthouse road. After this short section of easy walking, we strike out across the boggy terrain.
From here, we follow clifftops, ascend to viewpoints, and cross multiple rivers aiming for Sandwood Bay. The Am Buachaille sea stack gives an indication of progress. With one final river crossing, we arrive on the glorious sands. A footpath of around 4 miles takes us back to Blairmore, ready for a celebratory drink or two!
Distance: 12 or 24 miles (19.5 or 39km)
Total ascent: 530m or 1030m
Time: 6-6.5 or 12-13 hours
Accommodation in Kinlochbervie
Today is departure day and we will drive you back to Ullapool or Inverness. It’s not the quickest journey, but that will give you plenty of time to admire the scenery you walked through over the last week or two.
If you need to return to Fort William for your car, having joined us on the CWT South trek, we can help you with arrangements for this.
What's Included?
The cost includes
- Accommodation for 8 nights (breakfast included)
- 7 days guided walking
- Qualified UK Mountain Leader as your guide
- Cape Wrath ferry & minibus tickets
- Luggage transfers
- Support vehicle
- Full Information Pack
- Training advice
- Maximum group size of 7
- Free return from Cape Wrath back to Ullapool/Inverness
Not included in our packages
- Lunches, snacks and dinners
- Transport to the start location
Accommodation Options
Bed & Breakfast, Inns and Hotels
In areas that B&Bs are available you will be staying in a mixture of average and good standard B&Bs, do be aware that this will usually be in a shared twin room with another member of the group of the same sex.
Breakfasts are included at each accommodation, but will be a mix of cooked and continental/self-service breakfasts. All the B&Bs will be within walking distance to local pubs and shops so you will have opportunity to eat out on these evenings.
In areas where no B&Bs are available you will be staying in hotels or inns. Please do note that these can also be more basic than much of the rest of the UK, however, they are all comfortable.
FAQs
General
This trek is graded 5/5 on our trekking scale.
This is the grading reserved for our most challenging treks and only recommended for the experienced and fit walker. A trek that will be hilly/mountainous, consistently cover long distances over pathless rough terrain. Routes of this grade will include committing days through very remote areas.
This is as tough as it gets in UK long-distance walking. Days can be long, include significant height gain, and the Cape Wrath Trail is famed for is rough off path terrain.
To help you decide if this trip is right for you, please also refer to the itinerary, which includes daily distances, ascent, and detailed descriptions of the terrain.
You can read more about our grading system in our Trip Difficulty Guide.
Please note: all long-distance walking is challenging, particularly if you are not used to walking/exercising on consecutive days. What makes a trek challenging is personal and depends on your fitness, strengths, and preferences.
On this trek you can expect to expend a lot of energy, but in return be rewarded by spectacular landscapes, from the mountains to the sea.
North of Ullapool is a land of rock and water, often referred to as a "cnoc and lochan" landscape. You will encounter remote glens, boggy and rocky trails, mountains of sandstone and gneiss (a geologist's paradise), and the dramatic cliffs of Cape Wrath itself.
If wild remote walking is what you seek, then this trek will more than meet that criteria!
This 7-day walk covers the Cape Wrath Trail from Ullapool to Cape Wrath. The Cape Wrath Trail is the most challenging long-distance trek we offer. This is not only due to the total distance involved but also because much of the walking is off-path over uneven and boggy terrain.
We strongly recommend that all customers booking this trip have prior experience with long-distance trails and/or mountain walks. In addition to the physical demands, you will also stay in a variety of more basic and remote accommodations along the route. We will makes sure you are comfortable, fed and rested, but please don't don't expect luxury.
If you are unsure whether this challenge is suitable for you, please get in touch to discuss this. We love talking about this incredible trail!
If you joined us on the preceding Cape Wrath Trail South trek you will be safely in Ullapool enjoying a rest day. If you have booked this trek in isolation then you will need to travel to Ullapool on arrival day.
By public transport this is best done via Inverness. Inverness has bus, rail and air links. From here the 961 Citylink bus service (at time of writing) runs twice daily to Ullapool. Booking ahead is highly recommended.
The first 2 nights accommodation is in the small town of Ullapool. We will then move onto Inchnadamph for a further 2 nights, before spending the final 4 nights in Kinlochbervie. This is our preferred itinerary but this may vary in response to accommodation availability.
Ullapool is well served by places to eat and a supermarket, all with in walking distance of accommodation.
Our accommodation in Inchnadamph is isolated but has an on-site bar for evening meals and offers packed lunches. Otherwise, we will need to stock up on lunch items and snacks before leaving Ullapool.
Kinlochbervie is a small fishing village with a couple of places to eat and a well stocked convenience store.
You will be provided with a full kit list, but as a guide the basics you will need are:
A small/medium rucksack (around 30 litres), walking boots, waterproof trousers, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves, a spare warm layer and walking trousers (not jeans or denim), a water bottle, sun and midge protection.
With Thistle Trekking you get a personal service. We are happy to answer any questions and queries and help where we can with all aspects of your trip.
Your point of contact will be the same person from the first enquiry to the final communication before your Cape Wrath Trail trek.
Our guides are all qualified, experienced, and fun companions on the trail.
What our walkers said about their Cape Wrath Trail trek
Quite simply, I had a wonderful week. The remoteness, landscape, views and challenge combined to make this a week like no other that I have experienced while walking around Europe.
Peter T-G
I simply can’t say enough good things about my Cape Wrath Trail North week with Thistle Trekking. The scenery was stunning and I enjoyed the long days of walking, with the shortest day neatly landing in the middle of the week.
This was my second trip with Thistle Trekking and I couldn’t have been luckier as I had Harry once again as the guide. Harry is fantastic – patient, kind, knowledgeable, warm, interesting and a steady, calm guide. And this year, I got to meet John, our trek manager, another wonderful guide, who treated us with homemade goodies to bolster us through the last section of each day. Thistle Trekking shines through these wonderful guides.
Joanne S
David was excellent in pulling us all together and controlling the whole trip to perfection. He was friendly, knowledgeable, concerned with us having a good trip and adaptable to satisfying peoples needs and requests.
Sarah & Hugo
Dates
We do offer private and bespoke group trips on all our treks and walking holidays. These can start on any date of your choosing, with a minimum of 4 people.
Please contact us with your preferred dates and accommodation, along with your group size.
-
View Package PricesSunday18 April 2027Monday26 April 2027
-
View Package PricesSunday30 May 2027Monday7 June 2027
-
View Package PricesSunday12 September 2027Monday20 September 2027
