Getting ready to descend into Coire Caol, after a wet and windy crossing of the Forcan Ridge. Love your musings and information on gear, and, in this particular case, attitude. Cam. There are a couple of alternative stages that . But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Long-term review: Bridgedale Stormsocks Initially following the Great Glen, the route turns north to cross Glen Garry, Glen Loyne and Glenshiel before crossing the wilderness to Strathcarron, continuing north through Torridon, Dundonnell (ferry) and . You could go stoveless on this trip if you wanted to. I had initially . One solution to this logistical problem is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route. Top report, really enjoyed reading all the detail. 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. The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. For participants that have a diagnosed food allergy that is evidenced by a letter from their doctor, we are able to provide an additional baggage allowance (10kg) so . 367 km / 228 miles. You'll need something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Go to your local gym and find a treadmill that can be set at an angle, to better simulate an uphill climb. Although they are 1:40,000 in scale, they have all the important details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked. Drinking water should never really be a problem in the Scottish highlands. I put on my still soaking rain jacket, woofed down a Snickers bar, and said my goodbyes. Return to website, Watercolour of Sourlies Bothy, Knoydart by Anthony Harper, A new Cape Wrath Trail Guide YouTube Channel and an Interview with Damian Hall. Add weight to your squats after a while! What would you say about going CWT in this time of year and the shelter for this hike? There is no single definitive . You might even want to spend an extra day or two in this area to climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain! Ill grind my own coffee before I go and, Decaffeinated tea and sugar sometimes, especially if not drinking enough, having a couple of teas in the evening helps with getting warm and re-hydrating. Yep, one of those little numbers you get in hotel amenity/vanity bags (at least thats the type Ive used). Get someone more experienced to go with you or test your ability on other trails before heading off into uninhabited wilderness! Youll want to bring lightweight meals, enough to sustain you on a daily basis but also something that will provide you with enough nutrients and energy to make it through those three weeks. The weather for the walk was mostly pleasant, which was lucky for April. Well done on completing the CWT. Midges were horrific, Im traumatised. Cape Wrath Trail. Karen Ive used down bags and quilts in the Scottish Highlands for half a century. No worries. The annual exercises are usually completed by Easter but this year the Ministry Of Defence (MOD) added extra dates at short notice. The Cape Wrath Trail. Just came back (August 2020). Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 35, June 14, 2022. 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. HiI really enjoyed reading your account and was especially impressed with the low base weight of your pack. 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. Go digital! The ferry runs four times a day and from Monday to Saturday throughout the year. Thanks for the kind words. Further resupplies at Ullapool Tesco and London Stores allowed me to go on for the remainder of the trip without posting food packages. Lets get right to the point here: I spent around 500 on the entire trip, from supplies and transportation (excluding my plane ticket) to the occasional campsite or hostel. These are to drink twice a day as needed, Coffee I love coffee so Im not giving it up, but it will be cut down to once a day as I break camp. Cam, Your email address will not be published. I was wondering how you went about protecting your camera from the rain? 9 top tips for hiking the Cape Wrath Trail No.9 is the most important Gear and food reviews Exped Synmat UL Winter M An extremely comfortable winter sleeping mat. A good preparation will help you tackle most of the issues youll be facing along the Cape Wrath Trail, allowing you to focus on the awesome views! Peanut M&Ms. Quick release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets. You can draw money out at ATMs in Ullapool and pay by card in any pubs and some shops, but for most of the hike, youll need cash. When youre ready to start the CWT, the local ferry will carry you across Loch Eil to the Gaul/Camusnagaul pier for 1,50. Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed. I cant do that even in the 70sF! A memorable beginning to a hike I had long been looking forward to. Whenever possible Id pack out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points. (click to enlarge) A classic very challenging traverse of the Highlands and its wilder and remoter landscapes. I live in Alaska and its often damp, breezy, cloudy, foggy. I haven't managed a night in my tent since last October (in Zagori) and I have been desperate to get off grid for a few days. Id love to do this route before I get too old and creaky. When in spate, the rivers can flow at full force up to your thighs, hips or waist. Which Direction? Overnight te https://t.co/h8vrc5D90S, A comprehensive guide to the Cape Wrath Trail, Contact the author or inquire about advertising on the site enquiries@capewrathtrailguide.org, Watercolour of Sourlies Bothy, Knoydart by Anthony Harper About the Trail There are a number of parts of the Cape Wrath Trail like this but knowing this to be the case is useful, knowing that as long as you keep the right bearing, you'll eventually find a track. 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. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. Did you use it much on the CWT?? Have been a subscriber for over half-a-year now, and eagerly await your next post. Big decisions about smallest details, which I embrace. In summer you could probably do the whole trail without carrying much food at all relying on shops and restaurants the whole way. It's not the longest. 16.95 16.10 Buy This Book Supporting local bookshops PUBLIC TRANSPORT The start of the trail is in Fort William, which is easily reached either by train or city link bus. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sea shore: Mussels,Limpets, Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish. Very good, informative and helpful, I dont know how you do it! Iain has found a good balance between guiding the reader in rough terrain and offering challenging or safer alternatives. Thank you for the kind words. We sensibly did the route to Inchnadamph instead. The biggest choice facing hikers is how to begin their journey; via the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant (Note: The two options eventually meet up at Shiel Bridge). Instead of taking yet another bus all the way to Cape Wrath, we walked about 8km along a dirt road through MOD territory to Kearvaig bothy, which is an absolutely lovely place to start your journey and is located about 3km before the official start of the Cape Wrath Trail. Im amazed at you hiking always in shorts. By having bags set for 2 days, I can make sure I have enough for the longer days while not having too much for the shorter days, 20 High5 no sugar hydration tablets to supplement sodium loss. Input your search keywords and press Enter. Hope that helps. Essentially, Cape Wrath is used for aerial target practice - not something even a bomber 3-layer waterproof will protect you from. As always, Im always available for any questions you might still have! I cant say I hit the recommended 4000 calorie intake every day, but I made sure to treat myself to a nice fat burger to make up for it whenever I could! This is probably the most important part of this guide. Meandering along the Cape wrath trail. I just booked a fly to do this in September after plans for Sweden fell through. Buy on Amazon More on the book The route 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. For breakfasts Id generally soak porridge in the morning with powdered milk; 4. I can highly recommend the local Durness Bus service. Back from the dead. I sent supply parcels to Fort William, Shiel Bridge and Ullapool with a request to hold the parcel until a certain date. As for disadvantages, the only ones that come to mind are that its a bigger footprint (not really an issue in Scotland), and theres a small weight penalty of an ounce or two over the Solomid. If you are wildcamping, Id recommend you choose to camp near a woodland area which will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage. Just dont forget to check the ground in front of your feet every now and then. There is plenty of foraging to do on the Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet. Books for Hikers and Backpackers (2021 Edition), A Natural Progression: From Stranger to Guest to Family. Heaving across them in boots and gaiters will just mean one thing sodden boots and wet feet. 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. See you on the Trail! They know the area and what to expect on higher routes. Most Cape Wrath Trail hikers take a hybrid approach, combining wild camping with overnight stays in villages and bothies (free mountain huts) along the way. In order to stay safe and semi-comfortable in such weather, I need to be completely focused in regards to navigation, pace (i.e. Tent setup / Fencing practice during breaksTokyo 2020 here I come. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. Toughen up your knees, especially the ligaments surrounding the joints. Pack for worst-case scenario conditions. Because of its remoteness (there are parts of the CWT that require the intrepid adventurer to carry enough food to last a few days) - and changeable conditions (rivers suddenly in spate, weather conditions changing in moments etc.) Kept with sunscreen & hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket. 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). As I headed back out into the storm I broke out into a wry grin. 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. Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. The Essential Guide to Frameless Backpacks, The Cape Wrath Trail: A 200 Mile walk through the Scottish Highlands, Lightweight Backpacking in the Scottish Highlands, Katabatic Alsek 22 (Long 900fp Hyperdry Goose Down), https://www.thehikinglife.com/2015/03/how-to-ford-a-river/, https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57523. I seemed to be very much in the minority! Get to know this 233.9-mile point-to-point trail near Fort William, Highlands. Pretty much everyone serious uses down bags here no need to worry about it. I hiked this route from 17th Apr 8th May, early enough to see no midges at all. Good to know you are still exploring this amazing world on foot. Duct Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs). There are many different ways to train yourself for an undertaking like the CWT, so Ill leave it to you to find a way to train that suits your preference. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts,Birch sap,Rowan berries (do not eat raw). It's for fit, experienced and able walkers. and thick fog) is that it makes me a better hiker. Did you have any time to dry out? I havent had a case of the backcountry trots since 1999.I think a big reason is diligent use of hand sanitizer. Grid: NN 104 742 Plus code: RVCV+925 Fort William Finishes at: Cape Wrath Nat. Again, the amount youd wish to spend on food and supplies will strongly vary from one person to the next. It is also possible to purchase meals at the Kinloch Hourn Farm B&B, Kintail Lodge Hotel, Okyel Bridge Hotel and Rhiconich Hotel. Theres nothing better than fresh mountain water and theres certainly no shortage of it. Maybe if I wimped out and stayed in the B&Bs. Youve been warned. For updates and more photos, follow her Facebook and Instagram pages. Here are some of my personal highlights from my CWT hike: Walking barefoot along the beach on the final morning | A few moments after this shot was taken I went for a bracing swim in the Atlantic. It is a small weight price to pay to make sure I have extra calories around if needed. Get a backpack, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week. If you want to cook over a fire there are many bothies on the route with fireplaces, but you wont pass oneevery day. Length 233.9 miElevation gain 43,467 ftRoute type Point to point. Tracksides: Lesser / Greater Plantain,Blackberries, Rose hips,Gorse flowers. Cant thank Angie and John enough for a wonderful welcome after completing the Cape wrath trail. I did bring a little dropper bottle of DEET, but didnt end up using it. Great, lets keep going. You might also want a snack or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between meals. Ultimately, it might depend somewhat on transport/accessibility options from the various trailheads. The beauty of a trail that has no fixed route is that youre completely free to decide how you get to its end -as long as you get there in the end! Your email address will not be published. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. First off, Scotlands Cape Wrath Trail cant really be called a trail in the traditional sense. Bog, bog and more bog. Good photos & Video / Have used an unlocked phone in recent years, to avoid heavy roaming charges when overseas. Obviously the former is a lot more of a sociable hike. 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. Spitting the dummy- or chucken a tanty! Ill go into more detail in the chapter appropriately called The Route. Here is a list of things to look out for. One of the goals for this trip is to produce a big comparative review of dehydrated expedition meals for The Great Outdoors magazine. 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 know from personal experience having endured days of agony on long treks. This comes at no additional cost to the reader, and helps to support the website in its continuing goal to create quality content for backpackers and hikers. . 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. When it comes to fuel foraging, take only what you need. The Cape Wrath Trail travels up the west coast of Scotland, beginning in Fort William, and ending at Cape Wrath which is the northernmost point of Britain. 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. Its possible to get breakfast cereals, instant pasta, rice etc and in most of them its possible to buy hot meat pies/pastas and sausage rolls. Excellent beanie / Not too thick / Stretchy enough to fit my noggin / Doesnt seem to be available in the US at the moment. Always make sure to thoroughly check your insurance plan, as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary. 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. I spent around 180 on lightweight prepackaged hiking meals, hardtack biscuits and ingredients for my own porridge mix. Cape Wrath Trail 1st March 2017 Cape Wrath Trail 18: To The Lighthouse. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. The midges drove me nuts and stopped me having breakfast on a couple of mornings with their insistent buzzing/biting. There is no lovely way marked footpath. There are a couple of differences worth noting compared to my 2013 TGO Challenge Gear list. Peat and forest fires can be devastating to the ecology, wildlife and estates. Also, I might shorten the hike as I only have 8 days. Here is a list of things to look out for. Here is a typical day of food on the trail, usually totalling around 3500-4000 calories. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. If after all these years of rambling I can still enjoy meeting meteorological and environmental challenges, then I know that the unconditional love Ive always felt for heading out into the wilderness remains unchanged. Not as good as new, but still functional / From what Ive seen, the latest models have a different design, and arent in the same league as the old ones. Last year I hiked the CWT (Knoydart variant) and really enjoyed it! This probably doesnt sound too exciting, but it still is a vital part of the journey. Overall I was happy with my gear selections on the Cape Wrath Trail. I also just noticed that youve listed your umbrella for this trip? 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! Not only will your gear be toasty warm and dry, youll get an all-you-can-eat brekkie (cereal/toast/fruit) and be able to pick up food in the shop for dinner (frozen meals/pizza) and some basic food supplies for the rest of your trip. My trip has been supported by the following food brands: Firepot Bl Band (via Base Camp Food) LYO Expedition (via Base Camp Food) Expedition Food (via Base Camp Food) Summit to Eat (via Base Camp Food) In both versions the trail begins in Fort William and ends at Cape Wrath lighthouse on the northwest tip of the Scottish mainland. You might also want a snack or two every day, to help keep up your energy in between meals. (photo from Wikipedia). As expenditure is something that varies strongly from one person to the next, Ill say only this: in the end, you decide how much you want to spend. The path is not waymarked and has many variations. In mildish conditions, Im sure its fine; however, if things really turn to shit, Id probably be aiming to reach a bothy. The Cape Wrath Trail is often considered to be one of Britain's most challenging trails, mostly due to its remoteness and rough terrain. The Cape Wrath Trail is an approximately 350 km (220 mi) walk through the Scottish Highlands, stretching from Fort William to the northwesternmost point of mainland Britain, Cape Wrath. Some of the scenery is incredible if you get the weather for it, other parts are nothing to write home about. Ill go into more detail in the next chapter. One loch crossing on the high route to Benmore Lodge had four strapping lads linking arms and wading throughwater up to their waists. Join me and another Andrew as we meet the midges and moody Scottish weather and find ourselves in the beautiful Knoydart wilderness. View topic - Cape Wrath Trail Food Walkhighlands The way I figure it, if Ive got the right gear, skills, strength and fitness, whats not to like? Cape Wrath lighthouse; finish of the CWT. Happy with the results so far. The terrain is often boggy and almost always soggy, so if you have an aversion to wet feet, you may want to look elsewhere. Ive hiked the Skye during August but had no time for the highlands. Purchased hot meals at Kinloch Hourn, Shiel Bridge, Kinlochewe, Okyel Bridge, Inchnadamph and Kinlochbervie; 3. It is also possible to simply buy food supplies along the CWT as you go, but be prepared to make a little detour every now and then as youll be dependent on visiting towns a lot more. The post below includes impressions from the trip, logistical and background information, route recommendations and a gear list. 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. From south to north there are stores at Shiel Bridge, Strathcarron, Kinlochewe and Kinlochbervie. A superb and challenging route for experienced long-distance backpackers, the Trail passes through some of Scotland's most spectacular landscapes. Public toilets are situated in Durness village , beside the 'spar' shop. The biggest decision youll make is whether to take the Knoydart variant or the Great Glen variant of the trail. Note in particular his comments regarding guyline length, and the modifications made to the corner struts. I picked up some food and . Before you strap on that backpack and get going, you first need to know what youre getting into, what youll be bringing along, how much food youll need, what youre planning on eating and how long youre planning on being on the trail. Upsized from the Solomid XL for a little more space on what promised to be a cold and wet trip / Very quick set up / Holds up well in a storm. Sanctuary at the end of Cape Wrath Trail. There are days when its deadly dull, days when your body protests, days when the rain will turn you into an amphibian. 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. Know which towns have a train station or bus connection before you set off. Many thanks this is an excellent report. The Cape Wrath Trail travels up Scotland from Fort William to Cape Wrath, an isolated lighthouse at the most north westerly point of Britain. 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. Unless you are in a rush or looking to ease your way into the trip, go for the Knoydart route. 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! Now I'm a freelance, I can (kind of) afford to allow myself time to complete the Trail in my own time, at a pace that suits the conditions and my own fitness. On the seventh day of my CWT hike the weather was mostly clear. First things that came to mind would be the shorter daylight hours and the potential for wilder (and chillier) weather. " lizziwake says: 21st September 2021 at 2:53 pm. x. Trekking Solo In the Highlands . Thanks Geoff. Hey Rob, 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. All-time favorite liner gloves. Covid rules scuppered my plans to go to Corsica so I instead I headed to Fort William to start the Cape wrath trail - an epic and unsignposted trail that goes through 320km of . Hi Frederick, Groundhogs are great; in addition to their durability, the red colour makes me less likely to lose them than the generic silver. I would have been fine with the Palisade 30, but wanted to take the brand new Alsek for a test run. Lightweight, quick drying, and a surprising amount of warmth for something that weighs less than 4oz / Not super durable. The Cape Wrath Trail runs from Fort William to Cape Wrath on Scotland's northwest coast, for approximately 280 miles. 1B. Glenfinnan Viaduct and the train to Hogwarts! Starting in Fort William and finishing at Cape Wrath, the 400km, 8-day journey winds through the world's most inspirational landscapes including Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt, and Sutherland. No worries. Cape Wrath Trail Overview Map ( Cicerone Press) At a Glance Distance : 370 km (230 miles) approx. When its really pissing down, Ill put the camera inside the backpack. Still my favourite Merino liners after more than a decade / Cheaper and more durable than the big sock companies. Woodland: Scots pine needle tea, Wood Sorrell, Pine nuts, Birch sap, Rowan berries (do not eat raw). 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. I didn't book any accommodation and wild camped every night. The downside, of course, is that mist means drizzle or rain up here. In fact, it sits right at the corner of the north and west Scottish coasts. Cam. The way to Cape Wrath is not an official national trail at all, more a loose collection of old stalkers' tracks, drovers, and coffin roads. Cape Wrath Trail 0: Approach to Fort William. Having no experience with Scottish winds, do you think that a Tarptent Aeon Li is suitable or do I need something more storm-worthy? Jane Batchelor hiked the full Cape Wrath Trail in 2016 and half of it in 2017 on her 3,500-mile hike through Britain, camping as she went. It turned out they were students in their late teens/early twenties from Bristol. Car hire from Arnold Clark in Inverness from 26 per day. For a detailed guide on shelters found along the Cape Wrath Trail, be sure to check out my CWT Bothy Guide! Now lets talk food. The Essential Guide to Ultralight Bivy Sacks, The Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust off the Beaten Path. Buy both the Cape Wrath Trail North and Cape Wrath Trail South maps together and save 2! Scottish rain and acidic bog has magical properties, it seems to penetrate the impenetrable. No matter how low-budget your travel plans may be, I will always recommend you get proper travel insurance. This headlamp has grown on me | Lightweight, double-click, four settings, good battery life, 160 Lumens max | No longer miss my old Black Diamond Spot. Hey Swami, thank you for this great write up! Just let me know in the comments below or send an email to roel@beatthetrail.com. This looks amazing! 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. This post is going to look at kit, not so much the kit I plan to use, but at the Kit List spreadsheet I have developed that allows me to . Nat. 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 saw many fires on the route that had left scars on the landscape and the owners hadnt bothered to tidy them up either. And of course, with an abundance of streams en route, the trail can become impassable in certain areas. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Hard ice en route to Sandwood Bay. Duplex I cant personally comment about the storm worthiness of this shelter. This leaves you with a highly efficient, if not slightly narrow overview of every possible route variation at a fraction of the weight! A chapter about costs cannot be omitted from a Dutchmans how-to guide, of course. On the trail I spent an estimated 100-150 on various supplies ranging from bottles of methylated spirits for cooking fuel to extra snacks, a bit of whisky and the occasional slabs of meat for a celebratory barbeque. You're one step away from receiving emails from Yes Jane Can. That was all I had (no GPS) and I was fine. I left Strathchailleach Bothy fairly late. 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. I also need to stay positive, calm and objective in order to make the best decisions possible. In regards to what I did for food on the CWT: 1. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Lovely overview of a wonderful hike. Sounds like you had a real Cape Wrath trail experience! Your first order of business will be getting to Fort William to start your adventure. Do you only make money when someone clicks on an equipment link in your posts? Noticed you in good old Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the little feckers? Do squats, a lot of them. Food storage bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use. BUT and this is a big but, look ahead at the route. . As it was Winter, there were not a lot of resupply points so posting food parcels to strategic locations along the route was necessary. Thanks a lot for all the information! Kendal mint cake, which is 98 percent sugar, also works a treat! Thanks for the kind words. That heralded a time to zip the tent up & say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first day. A few hours later a shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn. Do you have any safety comment regarding the Carnach Bridge (which is supposedly gone); or any other river crosding for that matter. As it cannot be omitted from any hiking guide, heres a list of must-have gear on the Cape Wrath Trail! Features: Stone floors, crude wooden platforms to sleep on, one open fire hearth. The former is wilder, more challenging and generally considered to be more scenic. Hi Maureen, glad the tips were useful. the Cape Wrath Trail requires those traversing it to have a good idea of how to navigate such conditions. We tend to use it when someone acts a bit childish or gets outwardly frustrated or angry for no good reason. I quickly shut the door, muttering three or four rapid-fire sorries as I did so. It's hard to believe that this website is now nearly five years old. This family-run bus service will also get you from Durness back to Inverness when finishing the CWT at Cape Wrath! OMM Rotor Vest An ultralight synthetic vest, ideal for layering in winter. It can get pretty damn windy in the Highlands and taking tent pole splint repairs can save the day. Grid: NC 259 746 I took mainly dried, long-life food with me on the Cape Wrath Trail. All the gear. In any strenuous activity like hiking or other endurance sports it is important to get your strength back up at the end of a long day of depleting your bodys energy reserves. Walking to Cape Wrath, Day 29, June 8, 2022. Work has been crazy this year, so my list of Website: Things to Do has grown to Russian novel proportions! 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. donkeys years). Required fields are marked *. Thecalorie content should be well above your normal daily intake. I will be walking 40-65 km (24-40 miles) per day so I need a lot of food to keep going while keeping it simple enough to eat even if the weather is bad. Grid ref. 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! Pic overlooking a frozen Glencoul on the first ever guide research trip. Want to rough it out in solitude for a few days? Going South to North, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William. April/May 2018. Dried food is the staple of hikers because the low water content reduces weight. Im hoping to do other hikes too and I wondering your opinion on West Highland Way vs. Cairngorm National Park? And possibly in bucketfuls. . NZs sandies or the Scots midges-which animal rules for sheer bastadry? 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. Chocolate Digestives or Hob Nobs. Learn how your comment data is processed. The trail starts in Fort William and ends at the northwesternmost point of mainland Britain, Cape Wrath. 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. I dont want this hike to sound like a washout, but it is in the wettest area of the UK. Theme by Jason M Design. But there is poor nutritional content in dried foods. Perhaps she has put a sign up directing people where to go by now. Alternates: There are a number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath Trail. If you dont have the appropriate kit they can be maddening. Theres a whole load of bog trotting to be done on the 199-mile hike so invest in gaiters to keep the splodge out of your boots. Luckily the rain only lasted an hour or so and then it started to dry out. A singular landscape of salt flats, volcanoes, fantastical rock formations and coloured lakes, I completed the journey over 16 days in August, 2017. 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. So far the story of this trip. In such areas, it is generally recommended to treat all water taken from streams and rivers (. With only a few kilometres to my final destination I knew it would be an easy day. And they might be right. However, because of timings and a bumpy ride along the track, you are advised to "go before you go". not too fast / not too slow in order to minimise sweating yet still stay warm), layering, changes in conditions, and calorie and H2O intake. The Cape Wrath Trail is a long distance hike through some of the most remote areas in Scotland, the trail is around 250 miles long and it takes the average backpacker around 2-3 weeks to complete. I wished wed come across your blog before our CWT. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. CategoriesGear Lists, Scotland, The Hiking Life Blog, Thru-hiking, TrailsTagsAlex Roddie, Brooks, Cape Wrath, Cape Wrath Trail, Cicerone Press, Gaia GPS, Harvey Maps, Hiking, Katabatic Gear, Montbell, Mountain Laurel Designs, Patagonia, Sandwood Bay, Scottish Highlands, TGO Magazine, The Hiking Life, Thru-hiking, thru-hiking Gear Guide, thru-hiking-topics, ultralight backpacking. Just remember to train your core, lower back and legs most of all. This website has been developed as a resource for people planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail in Scotland. Rather than lugging a compendium of OS maps, go with the two waterproof Harvey Maps North and South. Leave enough for others and the ecology. With up to 6 days of food, it will never exceed 28 pounds. That way you wont contaminate your water bladder for future use if there is any giardia or nasty bacteria floating around. Theres also a campsite two kilometres further up Glen Nevis, which will serve as a cheaper option to spend the night. Black coffee with sugar. The Te Araroa begins with a lighthouse at Cape Reinga but ends at a less impressive signpost at Bluff. It starts in Fort William and ends at the lighthouse . Thanks for the kind words. 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). Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack / Put feet on backpack when sleeping. Id recommend taking one for each pole you have. Some of the very basics you'll need while out on the Cape Wrath Trail. The Cape Wrath Ultra is Scotland's finest multi-stage ultra running event. *Disclosure:This post contains some affiliate links, which means The Hiking Life receives a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking on one of the links. I am planning to do the Cape Wrath trail between Glenfinnan and Ullapool perhaps roughly following Mountainstar's route ( ). Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 112 h 20 min to complete. If you need to dry out as I did (my boots let me down and I half expected to develop trench foot) then youll be dreaming about the dry room at Inchnadamph Lodge. The Cape Wrath Trail is the expedition of a lifetime, traversing 200 miles of Scotland's wildest and most beautiful country. You could print out your own maps, or have them custom made at Britains Ordnance Survey. Theres no point spitting the dummy over something you have no control over. That about wraps up my practical guide to the Cape Wrath Trail. Hey Cam, no DEET or Picaridin listed, as a frequent visitor myself to NZ, aka sandfly capital of the world, I have replaced DEET for the most part with Picaridan. Plot a route that works best for you. We had better luck with the weather too! Cheers, Additionally, its worth noting that the excellent hostel at Inchnadamph has a small shop, which depending on how picky you are, should have enough options in stock to get you through to Kinlochbervie, : I didnt treat any of my water while in Scotland and had no issues. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Dates It was a pleasure to read! Planning for the CWT mid-May 2019. 6 thoughts on " Cape Wrath Trail 6 day hike Part 1 - COMPLETED! Odds are, youll be soaked through by the time you get there anyway.. Hey Cam, After not more than a few minutes had passed, the young couple now fully clothed came into the other room and apologized profusely. Hi there! Post was not sent - check your email addresses! For many years my rehydrating vessel of choice when going stoveless. As I stated before, the CWT is more of a collection of smaller trails than one single route that is properly advertised and signposted, and so there are many variations in the CWT that nevertheless all constitute the same trail. Another important note is to know your exit points in advance. 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? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Hiking Life is a compilation of tips and advice on trip planning, lightweight backpacking techniques, and improving your wilderness skill set. Outdoors Father is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. 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. As long as you draw water from fresh, fast-flowing sources well upstream of areas with livestock and/or wildlife you can drink it without filtering! Kindlings:Dead bracken, Dead heather, Birch twigs, Feather sticks. The end of the trail is remote Cape Wrath, linked by a seasonal tourist bus and ferry to near Durness. Cape Wrath Trail Planning #2. backpacking, cape wrath trail, Gear, kit list, planning, scotland. I cannot recommend sending parcels poste restante (to hold) to post offices, as Britains Royal Mail officially only allows for envelopes to be held, not packages. 500 miles per pair / The Cascadias have returned to form since the dodgy 10th incarnation. 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. So plan your gear accordingly. A packet of jelly sweets which you can devour/savour (delete as appropriate) will make the world of difference to your energy and mood. Subjective Participant or Objective Observer? No worries, I said, and we all ended up having a good laugh together. This is all about learning from my own mistakes. Actually, I joined the West Highland Way and the CWT, making one continuous 543 km route from Milngavie to Cape Wrath. With the constant humidity, you didnt find it affecting your quilt? If you have love for the Great Outdoors, share a passion for travel and prefer discovering the undiscovered over lounging on a beach, make sure to subscribe, check back often and follow me on social media! 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. Day 2: Kearvaig Bothy - Sandwood Bay This book definitely does justice to the tough character of the trail. Ok, the lack of views are a bummer, but if you spend enough time in the boonies over enough years, things have a way of evening themselves out on the scenery front. These are the maps that I used, and I would recommend them to everyone walking the CWT! . Cheers. Firstly because it is more of an unofficial collection of smaller trails rather than a marked and advertised trail like the West Highland Way, for example. Towns are few and far between. Prepare to carry a tent and sleeping gear. For the sake of simplicity and the limited . 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. Couldnt resist! I dont think humidity is an issue in the Highlands. Cape Wrath Trail Walk 5th June 2022 This is a post about our Cape Wrath Trail walk we completed in April 2022. How to get to Cape Wrath Located at the very top of Scotland, Cape Wrath is one of Britain's most iconic places. Will upgrade to. Fuels: Dried Peat,Driftwood, Birch, Pine. 1C to 5C combined with driving wind, rain. This blog post details my itinerary and route used for the Southern Section of the Cape Wrath Trail (as per the Harvey Maps) from Fort William to Strathcarron. Or plot your own route! Yup, seven days. My base weight was 10.5 lb (4.75 kg), and total weight was 14.4 lb (6.5 kg). : The CWT is almost always hiked south to north. I only used one 230g canister and a bit of a smaller one. Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper btle.). I was young once upon a time. To maintain a good level of energy throughout multiple days (or weeks) of intense physical exercise, it is generally recommended that men take in around 3500-4000 calories per day, while women need to hit around 3000-3500 calories. During the days Id also eat bars, trail mix, crisps, nuts; basically whatever I could find. 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. After a couple of years of using my phone, I bit the photography bullet and upgraded. 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. Stick to the eastern route variations that will lead you through longer stretches of gloriously empty wilderness. 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). Just a few minutes' walk away from the Cape Wrath Trail route is the Great Glen Hostel at Laggan, which provides good value accommodation and meals ideal for walkers. Lets get you started! As it turned out Lara didn't have the most waterproof pack and my rain jacket. Them to everyone walking the CWT is that mist means drizzle or rain up here and! Walking uphill two or three days a week supplies will strongly vary from person. To start the CWT is almost always hiked South to north on West Highland way vs. Cairngorm National?... North, itll be from Shiel Bridgeto Fort William Finishes at: Cape Wrath Trail,,! Resource for people planning an expedition on the little feckers & # ;... And dinner 2013 TGO Challenge gear list hips, Gorse flowers agony on long treks case of the.! Mean one thing sodden boots and gaiters will just mean one thing sodden boots and wet feet I know personal. Ozzie shorts-What was your poison on the route with fireplaces, but it is generally recommended to treat water... Bag of choice for hundreds of nights / Seals usually start to go by now toilets! For Sweden fell through for future use if there is poor nutritional content in foods. Really enjoyed it energy in between meals I need something to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner will! Scotlands Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet found along the Cape Wrath Trail train station bus... Requires those traversing it to have a good idea of how to navigate such.... Quot ; Cape Wrath Trail to supplement your diet set off has magical properties it. A number of different route alternatives during the Cape Wrath, linked by a seasonal bus! Nzs sandies or the Scots midges-which animal rules for sheer bastadry Angie and John enough a. A test run be cape wrath trail food that heralded a time to zip the tent up & ;... Big reason is diligent use of hand sanitizer as always, Im always available for any you. 1999.I think a big reason is diligent use of hand sanitizer in shoulder pocket think is! Much everyone serious uses down bags and quilts in the Highlands and taking tent pole splint repairs save. Say goodbye to a successful, uneventful, first day the Trail many variations 2. backpacking, Cape,! Cwt at Cape Wrath Trail South maps together and save 2 and my rain jacket, woofed a... Four rapid-fire sorries as I only cape wrath trail food 8 days point-to-point Trail near Fort William to Cape Wrath.... Kendal mint cake, which is 98 percent sugar, also works a treat of different route during. Might still have will provide shelter, fuel and better drainage going in... Includes impressions from the trip, go with the constant humidity, you didnt find affecting... Of how to navigate such conditions the minority available for any questions you also. 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Your insurance plan, as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary frustrated... Typical day of food, it is a big comparative review of expedition! Recommendations and a surprising amount of warmth for something that weighs less than 4oz / not durable. This hike to sound like a washout, but it is a big but look! Super Glue ( repairs ) put on my still soaking rain jacket, down. Way and the CWT: 1 treat all water taken from streams and rivers ( if. Great write up as I headed back out into the trip without posting food packages to rough out... Didnt end up using it an issue in the Highlands there is plenty of foraging to do route... A shrieking woman appeared demanding that everyone get off her lawn day, to avoid heavy roaming charges when.. Said, and eagerly await your next post hips, Gorse flowers William ends. Is that mist means drizzle or rain up here, making one continuous 543 km route from William... Be getting to Fort William and ends at a less impressive signpost at Bluff it is a post our!, stuff it with heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week camera inside the.! In particular his comments regarding guyline length, and the CWT: 1 want spend. Information on gear, and a bit of a sociable hike still is a list of must-have gear the. Heavy items and start walking uphill two or three days a week are,! Bothy - Sandwood Bay this book definitely does justice to the ecology, wildlife estates... For future use if there is plenty of foraging to do this route before I get too old creaky! Need something more storm-worthy 's hard to believe that this website has been crazy this year so... I wimped out and stayed in cape wrath trail food Highlands join me and another Andrew as we meet the drove... Best decisions possible stayed in the wettest area of the goals for this hike after about six weeks regular..., they have all the important details like houses, sheep folds and ruins marked for! Will turn you into an amphibian vary for your nationality or itinerary unless you are a! The ground in front of your feet every now and then me and another Andrew as meet. Hike to sound like a washout, but wanted to to help keep up your energy in between.. Hour or so and then it started to dry out type Ive used down bags and quilts the. Code: RVCV+925 Fort William and ends at the northwesternmost point of mainland,... Of your pack penetrate the impenetrable it comes to fuel foraging, take only you. Repairs ) is the staple of Hikers because the low base weight of your pack days! Me and another Andrew as we meet the midges and moody Scottish weather and find a treadmill that be... Costs can not be omitted from any hiking guide, of course, that... Out boiled eggs and fruit/veggies from resupply points recommended to treat all water taken from and. Feather sticks been a subscriber for over half-a-year now, and said my goodbyes backpack, stuff it with items... Thoroughly check your insurance plan, as conditions may vary for your nationality or itinerary 2021 Edition,! This guide, go with you or test your ability on other trails before heading off uninhabited! Used for aerial target practice cape wrath trail food not something even a bomber 3-layer will! Their waists impressions from the various trailheads I might shorten the hike as only! Rapid-Fire sorries as I did bring a little dropper bottle of DEET, didnt! You & # x27 ; spar & # x27 ; s for fit, experienced and able walkers area what. Eil to the eastern route variations that will lead you through longer stretches of gloriously wilderness. The ligaments surrounding the joints photography bullet and upgraded review of dehydrated expedition meals for the Highlands taking! Seals usually start to go with you or test your ability on trails! This is a small weight price to pay to make the best decisions possible,... Note is to send ahead parcels with food and supplies to locations along your route serious uses bags. At 2:53 pm Seals usually start to go after about six weeks of regular use Palisade 30, it..., Highlands release sugar - Haribo/Jelly Sweets help keep up your energy in meals. Shorten the hike as I headed back out into the trip, go with the two waterproof maps! Please go to the eastern route cape wrath trail food that will lead you through longer of. It would be the shorter daylight hours and the potential for wilder ( and chillier weather... An unlocked phone in recent years cape wrath trail food to help keep up your in... Walking uphill two or three days a week depend somewhat on transport/accessibility options from the various.... And windy crossing of the UK a treat for layering in winter: Approach to William. No point spitting the dummy over something you have CWT, making one continuous 543 route... Photos & Video / have used an unlocked phone in recent years to. Forget to check the ground in front of your pack nuts and stopped me having breakfast on couple. Of a smaller one top report, really enjoyed reading all the important details like houses, sheep and... Edible Periwinkles, Razorfish report, really enjoyed reading all the detail dull, days when body! A resource for people planning an expedition on the Trail is a typical day of on... What I did bring a little dropper bottle of DEET, but it still is list! You through longer stretches of gloriously empty wilderness navigate such conditions click to enlarge ) classic... To climb Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain a real Cape Wrath Trail walk 5th June 2022 is.
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