A few hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn. 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. If for whatever reason you decide you cant go on anymore, at least youll know where to go to get back to civilisation! My name is Roel Zerner, a Dutchman with an aversion to luxury resorts and a passion for all the wild places! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. I thought the first half from Cape Wrath to Kinlochewe was the most picturesque (I walked north to south, get the itinerary), but then again there are different routes so maybe I just picked the worst one from there south! One loch crossing on the high route to Benmore Lodge had four strapping lads linking arms and wading throughwater up to their waists. Your best bet is to scan the CWT Cicerone guide. Do you have any safety comment regarding the Carnach Bridge (which is supposedly gone); or any other river crosding for that matter. I brought my own Breakfast Porridge Mix to start the day with, hardtack (army ration biscuits) with peanut butter for lunch and dehydrated instant meals for dinner. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other . The Great Glen route is slightly quicker to rejoin the rest of the trail near Shiel Bridge, but the Knoydart variant is generally considered to be the most beautiful if not the most challenging choice. No worries. The route is unmarked and there is no official line. The WHW and the Cairngorms are very different experiences, however, both are great in their own way. See the, : There arent as many resupply options on the CWT as there are on Britains more popular long distance rambles. Especially when out on a trip like the CWT it is very important you make sure your travel insurance covers off-road activities, as most agencies wont cover this in their basic plans. Most thru-hikers will usually be hauling out between two and four days food between resupply points (depending on route choices). Actually, I joined the West Highland Way and the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath. There is no lovely way marked footpath. What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? I cant recommend the CWT highly enough; you should definitely do it sooner rather than later! I was young once upon a time. Essentially, Cape Wrath is used for aerial target practice - not something even a bomber 3-layer waterproof will protect you from. My base weight for the Cape Wrath Trail was 9.2 lbs (4.2 kg), and the total weight came in at 12.3 lb (5.6 kg). Its the wind and driven rain thats the real danger it can get extreme with little warning. Get a backpack, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week. That about wraps up my practical guide to the Cape Wrath Trail. Hoorah! We sensibly did the route to Inchnadamph instead. Its marked as a campsite on the maps so naturally the smooth area of grass was where three sets of hikers (us included) had pitched. Not an appealing prospect for a 17-day hike. 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! Lightweight, adjustable declination; compass of choice for years | (Note: No longer made. This is probably the most important part of this guide. A packet of jelly sweets which you can devour/savour (delete as appropriate) will make the world of difference to your energy and mood. OMM Rotor Vest An ultralight synthetic vest, ideal for layering in winter. I met my calorie requirements by posting food parcels and supplemented this with food fromcafes, shops andforaging. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. Hey Swami, Im heading up to Scotland in May to have a go at the cape wrath, Im toying with taking a dedicated compact camera as the lens on my phone camera is wrecked. Since the CWT is somewhat of a lengthy trail, bringing all the maps that cover the CWTs route can result in quite a pile of paper. When I stopped walking and the midges were swarming, Id quickly put on my rain pants, which together with the long sleeve shirt, cap and head net, kept me pretty well covered. Theres no point spitting the dummy over something you have no control over. Car hire from Arnold Clark in Inverness from 26 per day. However, because of timings and a bumpy ride along the track, you are advised to "go before you go". Great, lets keep going. Another option that is easier and cheaper is to buy the special Cape Wrath Trail maps made by Harvey Maps. Get someone more experienced to go with you or test your ability on other trails before heading off into uninhabited wilderness! I took mainly dried, long-life food with me on the Cape Wrath Trail. Its the midges most ferocious month and the locals are baffled as to why anyone would choose feeding frenzy August for their hike. Phone in advance if possible. Upon entering the spacious multi-room hut, I wasnt expecting to find anyone. Smother them in white tiger balm and hey presto, youll have some relief from scratching like a flea-ridden dog. One solution to this logistical problem is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route. After more than a decade of using Montbell wind shirts, the warmth to weigh ratio of these items never ceases to amaze me. Sea shore: Mussels,Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish. As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. What sections would you suggest to skip? Cape Wrath Trail Tips - Pack One Gas Canister and Refuel on the Trip You can buy additional gas canisters at London stores in Rhiconich; Ullapool (there are two hiking shops so you can get most things inc. tent repair splints); the shop at Kinlochewe (9am-5.30pm) and the garage/campsite shop at Shiel Bridge (closes at 6pm). Other resources online make it sound incredibly hard, but I think it is manageable for any prepared hiker. But there is poor nutritional content in dried foods. These are the maps that I used, and I would recommend them to everyone walking the CWT! Lets get you started! Snacks - Dried fruit and nuts. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. When it comes to fuel foraging, take only what you need. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I like the flexibility this gave me as I was not committed to being anywhere at a specific time and I could walk as far as I liked each day. But more on this later. Ill go into more detail in the next chapter. You might even want to spend an extra day or two in this area to climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain! Here is a list of things to look out for. : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. 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. A 250g gas can lasted me the whole journey and proved more efficient than alcohol. It is approximately 234 miles in length. Hello Cam, Thank you so much for a great report as well as inspiration. Does this sound good to you? I was wondering if you could tell me if there are any deer fences to cross on the route? With all that and a comfortable bed for the night, it was the perfect pit stop for us. Whether it be on trail or in your everyday life, being able to accept, embrace and learn from the tough periods is fundamental to growth. You might also want a snack or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between meals. Although the thought of carrying all your own kit and food needed for 3 days isn't everyone's cup of tea, it certainly is mine. I hope you find this episode inspiring! Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. With only a few kilometres to my final destination I knew it would be an easy day. In regards to general tips on fording, I wrote an article on the subject that might be helpful: https://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/03/how-to-ford-a-river/ All the best on your hike! Chances are, you've no option to do this on your current trip anyway. Meandering along the Cape wrath trail. I know from personal experience having endured days of agony on long treks. For the planning of Cape Wrath Trail, I use a similar approach to Te Araroa. And possibly in bucketfuls. Chocolate Digestives or Hob Nobs. And for good reason. Food and alcohol prices . 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. I havent forgotten my experiences with the latter in places like Fiordland and Stewart Island. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. For updates and more photos, follow her Facebook and Instagram pages. So I was a little surprised when over the sound of howling wind and rain, I heard noises emanating from the downstairs sleeping room. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. : NM 912 844 About: Often the first bothy hikers will encounter on the Cape Wrath Trail, Corryhully is a well-known bothy not maintained by the MBA but by the local estate. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. It's not the longest. Also spray Smidge (commissioned by the Scottish Forestry Commission but with a dreadful design to get the spray out) or DEET onto your skin to try and keep the midges at bay, but dont get any DEET on your tent, itll stick together. They were genuinely nice kids, and after chatting with them for a short period I said, You know what, guys, I think Ill continue hiking for a little while longer. They courteously insisted that wasnt necessary, but despite the fact that it continued to pour down outside, the decision was a no-brainer. It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. Everyone I met for the first four days had bailed somewhere along the route by hitching or cutting their trip short. BUT and this is a big but, look ahead at the route. Or plot your own route! The Altiplano Traverse is an approximately 600 km (372 mi) backcountry route across Bolivia's Altiplano region. One group of hikers were told very honestly that unless they fancied swimming, they should walk along the road to Rhiconich. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. Another important note is to know your exit points in advance. Unfortunately, plans changed with the pandemic, the various lockdowns . If you want to cook over a fire there are many bothies on the route with fireplaces, but you wont pass oneevery day. Thanks for the kind words. A singular landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, fantastical rock formations and coloured lakes, I completed the journey over 16 days in August, 2017. Do squats, a lot of them. Did you bring any dehydrated beans with you (its very hard to get them in the UK) or did you just hoover up anything available in the shop? And for those of a wayfaring disposition such as myself, I cant think of a better teacher than Mother Nature. I wonder whether Harvey Maps has made it deliberately difficult in parts to keep up the arduous name this route has. 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 . Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. In regards to the Carnach Bridge, from Sourlies I headed to Loch Hourn rather than Inverie, so I crossed the river further up valley. Stick to the eastern route variations that will lead you through longer stretches of gloriously empty wilderness. The weather for the walk was mostly pleasant, which was lucky for April. The water level was low; June and July had been quite dry from the reports I heard. I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. Some of the scenery is incredible if you get the weather for it, other parts are nothing to write home about. With just a couple of exceptions, all of the bothies I visited on the CWT I had had to myself. Had it repaired and sewed up. You're one step away from receiving emails from Yes Jane Can. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. You could print out your own maps, or have them custom made at Britains Ordnance Survey. MLD Duomid (0.75 DCF) with Solomid Silnylon Innernet. 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! As stated above, youll need to carry around a weeks worth of food for most of the time, as good resupply options often are several days apart. That said, there are parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that pass by human settlement and grazing animals. not too fast / not too slow in order to minimise sweating yet still stay warm), layering, changes in conditions, and calorie and H2O intake. 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! Cant thank Angie and John enough for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape wrath trail. Groundhogs are great; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them than the generic silver. We didnt move, the midges were attacking everyone, but had they not have been, she would have made sure everyone relocated. Cape Wrath Trail Overview Map ( Cicerone Press) At a Glance Distance : 370 km (230 miles) approx. Note in particular his comments regarding guyline length, and the modifications made to the corner struts. Due to the unpredictable weather and challenging terrain, it is a hike that is best suited to experienced ramblers who possess a good level of fitness, navigation skill, and a stoic disregard of having wet feet. Compare and read about the various routes. . 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