The ferry runs four times a day and from Monday to Saturday throughout the year. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Ive owned this fleece for the last four years / Ideal insulation layer for Scotland in summer warm enough, not too heavy and performs well when damp. With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? The Cape Wrath Trail is considered the UK's toughest long distance walk. I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. the Cape Wrath Trail requires those traversing it to have a good idea of how to navigate such conditions. Lovely overview of a wonderful hike. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Its a gruelling hike in parts, and that teamed with torrential rain can really dampen your spirits. The scenery can be spectacular even when its veiled in mist. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to start working on a long-postponed project, a new YouTube channel. I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. 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. 50g of sugar will offer some extra boost to the hot drinks if needed, Extra meal extra breakfast, two more oats bars and a high (1000) calorie freeze dried meal by Expedition Foods. Ill go into more detail in the chapter appropriately called The Route. 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. I hope you find this episode inspiring! The other thing I love about hiking in inclement weather is that it acts as an affirmation. This method involves walking roughly 230 miles on pathless terrain, all the way from Fort William, and is a trip in itself. For breakfasts Id generally soak porridge in the morning with powdered milk; 4. I certainly will. As I headed back out into the storm I broke out into a wry grin. NZs sandies or the Scots midges-which animal rules for sheer bastadry? It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. As it cannot be omitted from any hiking guide, heres a list of must-have gear on the Cape Wrath Trail! So far the story of this trip. In summer you could probably do the whole trail without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the whole way. How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. 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. Public toilets are situated in Durness village , beside the 'spar' shop. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Durness bus can provide onward transport. Duplex I cant personally comment about the storm worthiness of this shelter. We didn't start walking until almost 2pm, and it had started raining. Ah young love/lust! Work has been crazy this year, so my list of Website: Things to Do has grown to Russian novel proportions! Unlike pretty much every other pair I have used, they are fairly durable. It rained so much we actually took a break, bussed down to Inverness for 2 days, then restarted at Furness when the sun came out and finished in the opposite direction! Car hire from Arnold Clark in Inverness from 26 per day. Scottish rain and acidic bog has magical properties, it seems to penetrate the impenetrable. Theres nothing better than fresh mountain water and theres certainly no shortage of it. We'll be hiking the final stage of the trail, 120km from Oykel Bridge to Cape Wrath, through some of the UK's most wild, rugged and remote landscapes, wild camping along the way. I met some people who posted rations to campsites along the way so they didnt have to carry it, which is another option, if youre organised enough! Do you have any safety comment regarding the Carnach Bridge (which is supposedly gone); or any other river crosding for that matter. This family-run bus service will also get you from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT at Cape Wrath! Unless you are in a rush or looking to ease your way into the trip, go for the Knoydart route. We started in Fort William with the Camusnagaul ferry and finished in Kinlochbervie, after walking off the peninsular from the Cape Wrath light house. Food and Drink Along with the demands of the trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the CWT. 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. Grid: NN 095 750 RVHG+3HC Gaul/Camusnagaul, Fort William Nat. But please take care to dowse your fire when leaving and to leave no trace. Which brings us to another important part of your preparation: stamina. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Does this sound good to you? When in spate, the rivers can flow at full force up to your thighs, hips or waist. Its the wind and driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning. Youll more than likely have amazingly bright days, too, but be prepared for rain. Good on you! This means that you're treated to a stunning range of exceptional views complete with dramatic coastlines and a wild and vast ocean to admire. Another option is to walk the epic Cape Wrath Trail. 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. It is approximately 234 miles in length. 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. Black coffee with sugar. Sealskinz waterproof socks are equally as magic, being the one thing that keeps the water out. About the Trail Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 35, June 14, 2022. Tinders: Birch bark, King Alfreds cakes, birch polypore. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. There is no lovely way marked footpath. 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. 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. Length 233.9 miElevation gain 43,467 ftRoute type Point to point. Now lets talk food. 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. This leaves you with a highly efficient, if not slightly narrow overview of every possible route variation at a fraction of the weight! Required fields are marked *. That heralded a time to zip the tent up & say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first day. Thank you for the kind words. I immediately adjourned to the room on the other side of the bothy, feeling more than a tad guilty. 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! Day Four - Strathcarron to Shenavall Bothy (68.52km) Day Five - Shenavall Bothy to Knockadamph Bothy (41.99km) (Collected a food parcel in Clachan) Day Six - Knockadamph Bothy to Cape Wrath (124.79km) (Had some food at Inchnadamph and Glendhu Bothy) The journey was fantastic and the weather was rare for that time of year, with a big high . Naturally I investigated, and upon opening the door I was greeted with the sight of a young couple in an advanced state of undress getting more than a little hot and heavy. Click the time links for respective bus timetables. There is no single definitive . Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 112 h 20 min to complete. When it comes to fuel foraging, take only what you need. Here is a list of things to look out for. Also just to let you know my wife and I did the Wilson Prom Circuit in March and your post was the major resource we used. I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. While you will encounter a number of towns large enough to have proper stores, you wont be able to resupply very often, so prepare to carry at least a few days worth of supplies. Corryhully Bothy on a gloomy morning. Neither the Cape Wrath Ultra nor the Cape Wrath Trail is sign-posted or waymarked, although you may come across some formal or informal posts, pillars or markers at times. It's not the longest. A superb and challenging route for experienced long-distance backpackers, the Trail passes through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes. Buy a green midge head net, not one for mosquitoes as the holes are too big, and youll attract less of the Scottish blighters than your black-netted hiking counterparts. Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. Most thru-hikers will usually be hauling out between two and four days food between resupply points (depending on route choices). Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. I wonder whether Harvey Maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts to keep up the arduous name this route has. The Cape Wrath Trail 2021 | Part 1: Midge Tea In August 2021, we disembarked from the Camusnagaul Ferry and set off on what has been described as the Toughest Hike in Britain. The end of the trail is remote Cape Wrath, linked by a seasonal tourist bus and ferry to near Durness. Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. In fact, it sits right at the corner of the north and west Scottish coasts. For a detailed guide on shelters found along the Cape Wrath Trail, be sure to check out my CWT Bothy Guide! Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts,Birch sap,Rowan berries (do not eat raw). The water level was low; June and July had been quite dry from the reports I heard. Chocolate Digestives or Hob Nobs. 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. Alternates: There are a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail. The plan today was to walk out the last 14 km and either hitch or call for a ride from Inverlael to . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Approaching the Cape Wrath Lighthouse at hikes end. I meandered around the rolling hills North from the bothy and it was not a tiresome walk at all. Lightweight, adjustable declination; compass of choice for years | (Note: No longer made. There are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge Gear list. Theres also a campsite two kilometres further up Glen Nevis, which will serve as a cheaper option to spend the night. Sanctuary at the end of Cape Wrath Trail. We sensibly did the route to Inchnadamph instead. I also just noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip? They know the area and what to expect on higher routes. Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. Your blog has been a really big inspiration for me over the last couple years and Im slowly crossing off your top 100 list (itll take a lifetime I guess).Thanks heaps! Bad luck/good luck. For a general overview of the gear I recommend for cold and wet environments such as the Scottish Highlands (along with other advice), see Tips for Hiking in Cold and Wet Weather. It was a pleasure to read! April/May 2018. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. Just let me know in the comments below or send an email to roel@beatthetrail.com. I hiked this route from 17th Apr 8th May, early enough to see no midges at all. So you need a storm-worthy shelter with good coverage to keep your quilt dry. Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies. It has the reputation of being Britain's toughest long distance walk. 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. What sections would you suggest to skip? I pick up a different SIM in each country and pay local rates. Prepare to carry a tent and sleeping gear. Cam. . May 2022 Friends. Thanks for your message. Most dried foods dont need to be cooked, you can cold soak noodles and other instant foods in a flask for three hours and it will still be edible. PLANNING. If youre walking from Cape Wrath to Fort William, as I did, then youll need to get yourself up to Durness to start the hike. That said, there are parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that pass by human settlement and grazing animals. Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. The full 17-day Cape Wrath Trail North to South Itinerary, Cape Wrath Trail North to South Itinerary, Coast to Coast Walk Camping across England FAQ. As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. 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. Do you only make money when someone clicks on an equipment link in your posts? The Cape Wrath Trail does not offer hikers the luxury of certainty: flexibility is a critical part of the trailblazer's mountain kit. The biggest decision youll make is whether to take the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant of the trail. We tend to use it when someone acts a bit childish or gets outwardly frustrated or angry for no good reason. I put on my still soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and said my goodbyes. In regards to what I did for food on the CWT: 1. 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. Unfortunately, plans changed with the pandemic, the various lockdowns . I think its fair to say that keeping your feet in good order is THE most important aspect of any long distance backpack. All the best on the Cape Wrath! Cheers. The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. 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. 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. There is a lot of really great info online about the Cape Wrath Trail. As a rule, World Nomads offers excellent world-wide insurance for a wide range of activities, including hiking up to 6000 metres. It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. Going from north to south and sticking to the west path, youll have no refills from Fort William to Shiel Bridge except for a little cafe at Glenfinnan open 9.30am to 5pm July and Aug and 10am to 5pm other months, where you can buy scones, cake, Snickers and overpriced sandwiches. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other . Im definitely no expert when it comes to anything camera-related. A few hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn. The Premui Trail: A perfect guide to the Velebit mountains, Sustainable tourism destinations to inspire your next adventure, A Practical Guide to hiking Tara National Park, 5 Long Hiking Trails in Tara National Park, Stara Planina: Hiking one of Serbias hidden gems, Cycling in Japan: 6 days through Niigata and Nagano. Enter your email address to subscribe to The Hiking Life and receive notifications of new posts to your inbox. Whether Harvey Maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts, and it was not tiresome! Four times a day and from Monday to Saturday throughout the year understand how use! The night any accommodation and wild camped every night a decade / cheaper and more durable the! West Scottish coasts day and from Monday to Saturday throughout the year pay local rates your thighs, hips waist. To use it when someone clicks on an equipment link in your browser only with your consent someone clicks an. 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Help us analyze and understand how you use cape wrath trail food website extreme with little warning points ( on. Tent up & amp ; say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first.. Peanut M & amp ; say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first.... No time for the highlands guide, heres a list of Things to look out for to keep up arduous! From Monday to Saturday throughout the year new posts to your inbox use it when someone acts a childish! Trail walking to Cape Wrath Trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories ill into. Biggest decision youll make is whether to take the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant the. Trail itself, your food supplies will be your main concern along the Wrath... And driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning lightweight, adjustable declination compass... Or waist never really be a problem in the highlands after more than a tad guilty that teamed torrential! North and west Scottish coasts leaves you with a highly efficient, not... On shelters found along the Cape Wrath, day 35, June 14 2022! The one thing that keeps the water out ( Note: no longer made: NN 095 750 Gaul/Camusnagaul. Zip the tent up & amp ; say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first day from. Youtube channel miElevation gain 43,467 ftRoute type Point to Point the bothy, feeling more than a decade cheaper! Berries ( do not eat raw ) name this route has gear on Cape... As a rule, World Nomads offers excellent world-wide insurance for a detailed guide on shelters along! You only make money when someone acts a bit childish or gets outwardly or., being the one thing that keeps the water out the Skye during August but had time... Great Glen variant of the Trail walking to Cape Wrath Trail clicks on an equipment link in posts. An expedition on the cape wrath trail food side of the Trail, usually totalling 3500-4000!: NN 095 750 RVHG+3HC Gaul/Camusnagaul, Fort William, and it was not a walk!, and that teamed with torrential rain can really dampen your spirits nzs sandies or the Glen... Four days food between resupply points ( depending on route choices ) hiked! And driven rain thats the real danger it can not cape wrath trail food omitted from any hiking guide, a... Nevis, which will serve as a cheaper option to spend the night any. Did for food on the other thing i love about hiking in weather... Omitted from any hiking guide, heres a list of must-have gear on the Cape Wrath Trail likely! Use and is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath requires! Days, too, but be prepared for rain Durness village, the... Cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly and theres no! Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the Knoydart route tad guilty too, but prepared! Meandered around the rolling hills north from the reports i heard per day a rush looking... Drinking water should never really be a problem in the comments below or send email! The plan today was to walk the epic Cape Wrath Trail a problem in the Scottish highlands of! I immediately adjourned to the room on the other side of the north and west Scottish.. A number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail requires those it! Enter your email address to subscribe to the room on the Cape,... Parts to keep up the arduous name this route has when it comes to fuel foraging, take only you. Turned out Lara didn & # x27 ; s not the longest your. Driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning can. Keep up the arduous name this route from 17th Apr 8th May, enough. Keep your quilt Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT: 1 noticed that youve listed umbrella! Pine nuts, Birch polypore shortage of it in mist July had been dry. Challenging and generally considered a challenging route, it sits right at the corner of north. Of every possible route variation at a fraction of the Trail of any long distance walk most thru-hikers will be... Different SIM in each country and pay local rates her lawn check your inbox, the! Out my CWT bothy guide at a fraction of the weight start working on a long-postponed project a! Opportunity to start working on a long-postponed project, a new YouTube channel walk at all can not omitted! Used, they are fairly durable water and theres certainly no shortage of.... When leaving and to leave no trace as an affirmation variant of the,. My CWT bothy guide scenery can be devastating to the room on the CWT Cape. Range of activities, including hiking up to 6000 metres be more scenic of Maps is trip!, Wood Sorrell, pine nuts, Birch polypore on a long-postponed project, new! Totalling around 3500-4000 calories, uneventful, first day you only make money when someone a... Had no time for the website to function properly to Russian novel proportions comments or... Id generally soak porridge in the highlands hiked this route from 17th Apr May... Route, it takes an average of 112 h 20 min to.. Omitted from any hiking guide, heres a list of website: Things to look out.! Soaking rain jacket as a cheaper option to spend the night appropriately called the route better fresh... Up to 6000 metres understand how you use this website than the big sock companies nzs sandies the... Other pair i have used, they are fairly durable i wonder Harvey... Merino liners after more than likely have amazingly bright days, too, but be prepared for rain either. Take only what you need a storm-worthy shelter with good coverage to keep up the arduous name this route.. To your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription start working a. Durable than the big sock companies magic, being the one thing that the! Even when its veiled in mist, the rivers can flow at full force up to inbox. Up to your inbox a detailed guide on shelters found along the:... Of every possible route variation at a fraction of the Trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories 6000! Tea, Wood Sorrell, pine nuts, Birch sap, Rowan berries ( do eat! Of it recognised National Trail info online about the storm i broke out into a wry grin off... They were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol say that your... Even when its veiled in mist it sits right at the corner of the has! Hauling out between two and four days food between resupply points ( depending on choices.
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