X The Glenfinnan Viaduct, the first landmark along the Cape Wrath Trail. An area of around 137 hectares (340 acres) was affected. A slight föhn effect can also occur with the right angle of southerly winds, exemplified by the record December high of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F). The Cape Wrath Ultra® is based on the Cape Wrath Trail, which is considered to be the toughest long distance backpacking trail in the UK.It crosses rugged landscapes and winds through genuine wilderness spending significant time away from civilisation. Cross a decent wooden footbridge and follow one of several paths the to bothy at Sourlies. This basic shelter maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. It is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain. 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. Completed June/July of 2019! Upgrade your experience! [34] It is used for naval gunfire practice and for army artillery and mortar range firing. Covering 330km (205 miles), the Cape Wrath Trail twists over Britain’s wild northwest from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the British mainland. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. 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. The views you'll experience will be like no other place on the planet. As with the rest of the British Isles, Cape Wrath has an Oceanic (Köppen Cfb) climate. Need to Know Info | Cape Wrath Trail North to South – Cape Wrath to Sandwood Bay The Cape Wrath ferry (£4.50) leaves from Durness between 08.30 and 09.30 depending on tides and the ferry man. Strong winds can be a feature of weather conditions at the cape, with gusts of 140 mph (230 km/h) recorded. Pack light. [19] This area extends from Oldshoremore in the south-west to Durness in the east and includes the entire coastline of the cape area. 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. [30] An area of 1,019.2 hectares (2,518 1⁄2 acres) is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). [16] The cliffs around the cape are an internationally important nesting site for over 50000 seabirds, including colonies of puffin Fratercula arctica, razorbill Alca torda, guillemot Uria aalge, kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and fulmar Fulmarus glacialis. Cape Wrath Trail North XT40: Route Map. [20], Crofting townships of two or three houses with associated enclosures existed at Daill, Achiemore, Kearvaig and Inshore into the mid-20th century. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. [2][6][7][8][9] Building remains at locations such as Kearvaig have been dated to the 18th century. Video documenting my April 2018 attempt of the Cape Wrath Trail. : 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. In 2020 I also walked a major part of it south to north on my Dover to Cape Wrath walk.. [5][57] A minibus service operates along the road during the summer period linking the ferry slipway with the lighthouse. [3][4] The lighthouse, which is a Category A listed building, is a 20-metre-tall (66 ft) white-washed tower built of granite with a single storey semi-circular base building. If you decide to do this trail feel free shoot me a message if you have questions! Access is restricted at times by military operations on the Cape. This road connects a passenger ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness with the buildings on the peninsula. [14] The wreck was found in 2004, 35 mi (56 km; 30 nmi)[14] off Cape Wrath, in 96 metres (315 ft; 52 fathoms) of water and undisturbed except for fishing nets.[14][15]. There are a million different variations, directions, and ideas when it comes to this route. [34][35] Since 2005 the area has been used as a multi-services training area and is one of the sites used in the Joint Warrior exercises, Europe's largest military exercise, and by other NATO operations. Cape Wrath Trail Complete is a 219.3 mile point-to-point trail located near Fort William, Highland, Scotland that features a river and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. [38] In May 2013 the MoD announced that it would not be continuing with the purchase. The range is usually open for public access during the summer period and there is rarely firing on Sundays. The trail offers a number of activity options. [31] An area of 1,015.2 hectares (2,508 5⁄8 acres) is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation. From the south, the only route to the Cape is on foot from Sandwood Bay and Kinlochbervie. The sole inhabitants of the Cape are the Ure family, renting the main building. Cape Wrath Trail - CapeWrathTrailGuide.org. [12], On 27 September 1915, while sailing for Scapa Flow, HMS Caribbean, known as RMS Dunottar Castle before being requisitioned for wartime service, foundered off Cape Wrath in bad weather. [7][30] It passes the farmsteads of Daill and Inshore, where the MoD uses the remaining house,[23] before a track to the right links the road to the old hamlet of Kearvaig, where there is a beach and Kearvaig House which the Mountain Bothies Association have converted into a bothy. The route leads you across most of the north west coast of Scotland via Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt, winding through its most beautiful glens and mountains. Depending on what time of year you go you may be able to avoid the bugs and poor weather. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked and magnificently wild long distance route … [16][17] These rise to 281 metres (922 ft) above sea level and include the highest sea cliffs on the British mainland at Clò Mòr around 4 miles (6 km) to the east of the headland. Getting from point to point is pretty straight forward. [30] The area has been described as one of the few coastal wildernesses in Britain. This closed in 1932, although the buildings were reused at the start of World War II as a coastguard station. So whether it’s for an epic long-distance challenge, a weekend away, or a fantastic day out, get out there and have an adventure. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Kyle of Durness and consists of 107 square miles (280 square kilometres) of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. Crossing such empty country, it is for the experienced backpacker only. [52] The road is marked with milestones and crosses the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on contemporary arched bridges. [36][42][43] Concern has also been raised of the effects of military exercises on nesting birds,[36] on sheep during lambing season and the effects of noise on local residents. I have always been drawn to those remote and hard trails – maybe it is my need to feel that I’m on the edge and pushing my survival limits – so the Cape Wrath Trail became my goal in the UK. Its exposed northerly position can give rise to some exceptionally low winter sunshine levels: in January 1983 it recorded just 38 minutes of sunshine, a record low for Scotland. What motivates communities to buy land they live on? On the 81 mile route you'll find historic Jacobite battle grounds in Kintail, beautiful Caledonian Pine forest near Kinlochewe, and traverse the Fisherfields known as the last great wilderness of the UK. There is no single definitive route. [10] The area declined in population in the mid-20th century and is now almost entirely unpopulated, although military and tourism use continues. One of the few bothies to have a working power grid! Mar 16, 2014 Stage 4. A guidebook to the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek through the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Cape Wrath. [3] A Lloyd's of London signal station was built close to the lighthouse at the end of the 19th century to track shipping around the Cape. Located in Scotland, it runs from Fort William, through the Highlands and Western Scotland, to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath, the northwestern-most point of Scotland. The trail offers a number of activity options. As long as you don't have dietary restrictions you can buy food along the way if needed as well. There is no single definitive route. [12], The Ministry of Defence (MoD) owns a 59 km2 (23 sq mi) area of the cape, known as the Cape Wrath Training Centre. [12][30][49] The tourist industry is estimated to be worth between £400,000 and £620,000 to the economy of the local area around Durness.[12][49]. It … Huge cost to economy if access to Cape Wrath is denied, Scottish National Trail aims to link landscape and history, Kyle of Durness storehouse to Cape Wrath lighthouse, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cape_Wrath&oldid=982876978, Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North West Sutherland, Articles with dead external links from November 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles containing Old Norse-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Source 2: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI, This page was last edited on 10 October 2020, at 22:33. Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Much of the cape is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is used as a military training area, including as live firing range. The Cape Wrath Trail is considered the hardest hiking route in the United Kingdom. [55] This was linked by a rough track with the road being extended south the slipway at Ferry House during the 1830s. Nonetheless, my trip was amazing! It takes place annually in A tow by HMS Birkenhead was unsuccessful, and 15 died. I will say it's one of the hardest backpacking experiences I've done mainly due to the rain we experienced, midges, and bogs bogs SO MANY BOGS. Harvey Cape Wrath Trail Maps Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. The Cape Wrath Trail, 200 miles (320 kilometres) through isolated country from Fort William; The Scottish National Trail, 460 miles (740 kilometres) from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border. Inland the landscape is primarily covered in peat and is often boggy with difficult terrain and a number of lochans, the largest of which, Loch Airigh na Beinne, is around 0.6 square kilometres (1⁄4 sq mi) in area. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. [47] The plans were opposed by the Durness Development Group which cited concerns that historic buildings might be destroyed and that visitors may be unable to access cliff top paths. These may see the number of visitors rise to 10,000 and facilities at the Cape developed.[12]. Hikers usually take at least 20 days to complete the trail. It is unmarked, but following this route will help you stay on course. The first road was built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission across the Parph/Durness. [16][17] The SPA extends 2 km (1 1⁄4 mi) out to sea and includes the sea bed and marine environment which is a source of food for the bird population of the area. [4], Because its landscape is largely untouched by man, Cape Wrath has a wide diversity of wildlife, including red deer, hooded crow, rock pipit, golden eagle, cormorant and gannet. Cape Wrath Trail Memory Map Route File. [39] Disused military vehicles are often used as targets. [4][12][30] The cafe was opened by the Princess Royal, and seats eight people. [18], The cliff-top vegetation at sites such as Clò Mòr includes common scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis and a wide range of habitats are present. These include cliff-top sand dunes at the cape itself as well as montane habitats found at sea level.[30][32]. Don’t get bombed by the RAF. [5] In the 1930s it supported a population of 30 to 40 people, including a small side school at Achiemore which had up to ten pupils in the 1930s but closed in 1947. [10][11], Much of the area has been used for sheep grazing, a use which continues today, and shielings, shelters built for shepherds, can be found across the Cape. Grid ref. There are longer UK trails, but none avoid civilisation to the same extent. I walked the Cape Wrath Trail in the summer of 2017. [40], Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone, Cape Wrath locals accuse MoD of land grab, My travels: Mike Carter in Cape Wrath, Scotland, Cafe at the end of the universe ... where a cup of tea is guaranteed, Divers explore WW1 wreck of HMS Caribbean, http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/yorkshire-diver-first-to-see-wreck-for-nearly-90-years-1-2545421, Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom, Region 3 North-east Scotland: Cape Wrath to St. Cyrus, Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas, Fears over future as MoD buy-out of Cape Wrath land looms, £22.5k for Cape Wrath community land buyout, "Cape Wrath Lighthouse and Keepers' Cottages (Category A Listed Building) (LB488)", 'Don't bomb' idea for Cape Wrath firing range, NW will play part in largest military exercise in Europe, Cape Wrath will not be closed to public, MP says, Military activities undertaken at Cape Wrath. It is approximately 200 miles in length and is considered to be one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK. [2] The Cape Wrath Lighthouse was built in 1828 and the access road from the Kyle of Durness dates from the same period. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The sea cliffs around the cape are composed of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss. The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails. The Cape Wrath Trail is challenging and frustrating, mostly because the "Cape Wrath Trail" is something that someone (probably on the internet) made up. There's lots of amenities at most stops (hostels, bed and breakfast type places) . This is the southern section of our Cape Wrath Trail. Cape Wrath from Mapcarta, the free map. [19] Plant species include heather Calluna vulgaris, juniper Juniperus communis and ferns. The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britain’s toughest long distance walk. They converted it into a three-bedroomed home, and opened what is claimed to be Britain's most remote cafe, the Ozone Cafe, in 2009. The CWT offers some of the most magnificent landscapes and views I have found in the British Isles, but to gain access to them you must endure wet and demanding underfoot conditions, rapidly changing weather, exposure to the elements and a vast emptiness that is rare to find the UK anymore. [13] An inquiry later blamed the ship's carpenter for being insufficiently familiar with the ship and for failing to shut all the scuttles. [10] The Cape has few archaeological remains which can be dated to earlier than this, although a promontory fort at Eilean nan Caorach to the east of the headland may date to the late prehistoric age. [36] The RAF uses An Garbh-eilean (Garvie Island) as a target for a range of training operations. It is around 200 miles long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. This is one of the most challenging, rugged hikes in the UK. [25][48], The cape is visited by between 2,000 and 6,000 tourists a year, attracted by the lack of settlements, plants, animals, cliffs, mountain backdrop and lighthouse. The route is roughly 230 miles, and it took me 15 days to walk it north to south. Login to Download (Members Only) Route Profile: 366.4 km (227.7 miles) 11,127 m (36,506 ft) ascent 620 m (2,034 ft) maximum height (click to enlarge) The trail is often very far from any tryp eof services, so it is only recommended for experienced hikers and backpackers with knowledge of the route. Cape Wrath /ˈræθ/ (Scottish Gaelic: Am Parbh, known as An Carbh in Lewis) is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. [34][35] The area was used originally as a naval gunnery range and was bought by the MoD in 1999. [27] This exposed position, however, also means severe frost is rare compared to inland locations such as Altnaharra or Kinbrace. The Cape Wrath Ultra® is Scotland’s finest multi-stage ultra running event. The trail offers a number of activity options. The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails. [39] It is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where NATO forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in assault mode for training manoeuvres, deploying ordnance up to 1,000-pound (450 kg) bombs. Stretching approximately 230 miles (370 km) from the Highland hub of Fort William to the remote lighthouse of Cape Wrath, it is an unmarked and sometimes trailless route that passes through the wild and spectacular landscapes of northwestern Scotland. [25][34] The cape was used for training exercises from the early years of the 20th century,[35] with the first by-laws established in 1933 to allow use of the area as a firing range. Taking on the Cape Wrath Trail. Scottish Natural Heritage estimated that the area would take 10 years to return to its normal environmental conditions. [34][25][36][37] Training is allowed on up to 120 days a year,[38] usually taking place in the spring and autumn, although times can be unpredictable. [2] The road was built as part of the lighthouse construction in 1828 and, in places, uses a series of rock causeways to cross peat bogs and revetments to maintain a route along steep slopes. At the end of a long and (truthfully) somewhat boring walk along Loch Eil’s southern shore, I finally reached a point where I could leave the asphalted road behind and start heading north along a … [19] Just offshore is Stac Clò Kearvaig, also known as "The Cathedral" due to the appearance of two spires and a natural window created by erosion. It takes 10 minutes but there will be several crossings depending on the amount of passengers (it can only take 10 at a time). The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. At the very end of the trail, Cape Wrath itself is a live-firing range … The cape is part of the North West Highlands Geopark, a 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi) area with UNESCO geopark status. [55][56], The road, the U70, passes the hamlet of Achiemore where a Ministry of Defence check-point blocks access to the cape during live firing exercises. [52][53][54] The original slipway on the Kyle of Durness was built north of Daill with an associated storehouse similar to that at Clais Charnach. It runs for 11 miles (18 kilometres) to the lighthouse and the same distance back to the ferry dock on the Cape side. Cape Wrath is also the turning point for the Cape Wrath Marathon. It is approximately 234 miles in length. The Durness Development Group has made proposals, assisted by the Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone, to develop Cape Wrath as a visitor location. Cape Wrath Trail: Fort William to Na Socachan, Cape Wrath Trail: Fort William to Stratchcarron, Ben Nevis Mountain Path and North Face Path Circular, River Nevis and Ben Nevis Mountain Path Loop, Stob Ban (Mamores) and Mullach nan Coirean, The Great Glen Way: Fort William to Gairlochy. The Cape Wrath Trail is a 230 mile, 3-week challenge through wild and magnificent landscapes, such as Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt. [2] The road, ferry and minibus service are suspended during military training operations on the cape. An area of 123 square kilometres (47 sq mi) around the coastline is designated as a Special Landscape Area. [40], In 2008 a heath fire was caused on the range during a period of live firing. [3], A complex of buildings close to the lighthouse were built by Lloyd's of London between 1894 and 1903 as a signal station to track shipping around the Cape. [44][46], The MoD expressed an interest in extending its land holdings on the Cape in 2012 after being given the opportunity to purchase 24 hectares (59 acres) surrounding Cape Wrath Lighthouse by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The Route. Privileged position at the start of world War II as a naval range. Two trails [ 31 ] an area of around 137 hectares ( 2,508 5⁄8 acres was. Pretty straight forward fire was caused on the range is usually open public. 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X The Glenfinnan Viaduct, the first landmark along the Cape Wrath Trail. An area of around 137 hectares (340 acres) was affected. A slight föhn effect can also occur with the right angle of southerly winds, exemplified by the record December high of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F). The Cape Wrath Ultra® is based on the Cape Wrath Trail, which is considered to be the toughest long distance backpacking trail in the UK.It crosses rugged landscapes and winds through genuine wilderness spending significant time away from civilisation. Cross a decent wooden footbridge and follow one of several paths the to bothy at Sourlies. This basic shelter maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. It is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain. 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. Completed June/July of 2019! Upgrade your experience! [34] It is used for naval gunfire practice and for army artillery and mortar range firing. Covering 330km (205 miles), the Cape Wrath Trail twists over Britain’s wild northwest from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the British mainland. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. 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. The views you'll experience will be like no other place on the planet. As with the rest of the British Isles, Cape Wrath has an Oceanic (Köppen Cfb) climate. Need to Know Info | Cape Wrath Trail North to South – Cape Wrath to Sandwood Bay The Cape Wrath ferry (£4.50) leaves from Durness between 08.30 and 09.30 depending on tides and the ferry man. Strong winds can be a feature of weather conditions at the cape, with gusts of 140 mph (230 km/h) recorded. Pack light. [19] This area extends from Oldshoremore in the south-west to Durness in the east and includes the entire coastline of the cape area. 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. [30] An area of 1,019.2 hectares (2,518 1⁄2 acres) is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). [16] The cliffs around the cape are an internationally important nesting site for over 50000 seabirds, including colonies of puffin Fratercula arctica, razorbill Alca torda, guillemot Uria aalge, kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and fulmar Fulmarus glacialis. Cape Wrath Trail North XT40: Route Map. [20], Crofting townships of two or three houses with associated enclosures existed at Daill, Achiemore, Kearvaig and Inshore into the mid-20th century. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. [2][6][7][8][9] Building remains at locations such as Kearvaig have been dated to the 18th century. Video documenting my April 2018 attempt of the Cape Wrath Trail. : 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. In 2020 I also walked a major part of it south to north on my Dover to Cape Wrath walk.. [5][57] A minibus service operates along the road during the summer period linking the ferry slipway with the lighthouse. [3][4] The lighthouse, which is a Category A listed building, is a 20-metre-tall (66 ft) white-washed tower built of granite with a single storey semi-circular base building. If you decide to do this trail feel free shoot me a message if you have questions! Access is restricted at times by military operations on the Cape. This road connects a passenger ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness with the buildings on the peninsula. [14] The wreck was found in 2004, 35 mi (56 km; 30 nmi)[14] off Cape Wrath, in 96 metres (315 ft; 52 fathoms) of water and undisturbed except for fishing nets.[14][15]. There are a million different variations, directions, and ideas when it comes to this route. [34][35] Since 2005 the area has been used as a multi-services training area and is one of the sites used in the Joint Warrior exercises, Europe's largest military exercise, and by other NATO operations. Cape Wrath Trail Complete is a 219.3 mile point-to-point trail located near Fort William, Highland, Scotland that features a river and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. [38] In May 2013 the MoD announced that it would not be continuing with the purchase. The range is usually open for public access during the summer period and there is rarely firing on Sundays. The trail offers a number of activity options. [31] An area of 1,015.2 hectares (2,508 5⁄8 acres) is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation. From the south, the only route to the Cape is on foot from Sandwood Bay and Kinlochbervie. The sole inhabitants of the Cape are the Ure family, renting the main building. Cape Wrath Trail - CapeWrathTrailGuide.org. [12], On 27 September 1915, while sailing for Scapa Flow, HMS Caribbean, known as RMS Dunottar Castle before being requisitioned for wartime service, foundered off Cape Wrath in bad weather. [7][30] It passes the farmsteads of Daill and Inshore, where the MoD uses the remaining house,[23] before a track to the right links the road to the old hamlet of Kearvaig, where there is a beach and Kearvaig House which the Mountain Bothies Association have converted into a bothy. The route leads you across most of the north west coast of Scotland via Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt, winding through its most beautiful glens and mountains. Depending on what time of year you go you may be able to avoid the bugs and poor weather. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked and magnificently wild long distance route … [16][17] These rise to 281 metres (922 ft) above sea level and include the highest sea cliffs on the British mainland at Clò Mòr around 4 miles (6 km) to the east of the headland. Getting from point to point is pretty straight forward. [30] The area has been described as one of the few coastal wildernesses in Britain. This closed in 1932, although the buildings were reused at the start of World War II as a coastguard station. So whether it’s for an epic long-distance challenge, a weekend away, or a fantastic day out, get out there and have an adventure. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Kyle of Durness and consists of 107 square miles (280 square kilometres) of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. Crossing such empty country, it is for the experienced backpacker only. [52] The road is marked with milestones and crosses the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on contemporary arched bridges. [36][42][43] Concern has also been raised of the effects of military exercises on nesting birds,[36] on sheep during lambing season and the effects of noise on local residents. I have always been drawn to those remote and hard trails – maybe it is my need to feel that I’m on the edge and pushing my survival limits – so the Cape Wrath Trail became my goal in the UK. Its exposed northerly position can give rise to some exceptionally low winter sunshine levels: in January 1983 it recorded just 38 minutes of sunshine, a record low for Scotland. What motivates communities to buy land they live on? On the 81 mile route you'll find historic Jacobite battle grounds in Kintail, beautiful Caledonian Pine forest near Kinlochewe, and traverse the Fisherfields known as the last great wilderness of the UK. There is no single definitive route. [10] The area declined in population in the mid-20th century and is now almost entirely unpopulated, although military and tourism use continues. One of the few bothies to have a working power grid! Mar 16, 2014 Stage 4. A guidebook to the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek through the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Cape Wrath. [3] A Lloyd's of London signal station was built close to the lighthouse at the end of the 19th century to track shipping around the Cape. Located in Scotland, it runs from Fort William, through the Highlands and Western Scotland, to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath, the northwestern-most point of Scotland. The trail offers a number of activity options. As long as you don't have dietary restrictions you can buy food along the way if needed as well. There is no single definitive route. [12], The Ministry of Defence (MoD) owns a 59 km2 (23 sq mi) area of the cape, known as the Cape Wrath Training Centre. [12][30][49] The tourist industry is estimated to be worth between £400,000 and £620,000 to the economy of the local area around Durness.[12][49]. It … Huge cost to economy if access to Cape Wrath is denied, Scottish National Trail aims to link landscape and history, Kyle of Durness storehouse to Cape Wrath lighthouse, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cape_Wrath&oldid=982876978, Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North West Sutherland, Articles with dead external links from November 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles containing Old Norse-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Source 2: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI, This page was last edited on 10 October 2020, at 22:33. Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Much of the cape is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is used as a military training area, including as live firing range. The Cape Wrath Trail is considered the hardest hiking route in the United Kingdom. [55] This was linked by a rough track with the road being extended south the slipway at Ferry House during the 1830s. Nonetheless, my trip was amazing! It takes place annually in A tow by HMS Birkenhead was unsuccessful, and 15 died. I will say it's one of the hardest backpacking experiences I've done mainly due to the rain we experienced, midges, and bogs bogs SO MANY BOGS. Harvey Cape Wrath Trail Maps Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. The Cape Wrath Trail, 200 miles (320 kilometres) through isolated country from Fort William; The Scottish National Trail, 460 miles (740 kilometres) from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border. Inland the landscape is primarily covered in peat and is often boggy with difficult terrain and a number of lochans, the largest of which, Loch Airigh na Beinne, is around 0.6 square kilometres (1⁄4 sq mi) in area. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. [47] The plans were opposed by the Durness Development Group which cited concerns that historic buildings might be destroyed and that visitors may be unable to access cliff top paths. These may see the number of visitors rise to 10,000 and facilities at the Cape developed.[12]. Hikers usually take at least 20 days to complete the trail. It is unmarked, but following this route will help you stay on course. The first road was built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission across the Parph/Durness. [16][17] The SPA extends 2 km (1 1⁄4 mi) out to sea and includes the sea bed and marine environment which is a source of food for the bird population of the area. [4], Because its landscape is largely untouched by man, Cape Wrath has a wide diversity of wildlife, including red deer, hooded crow, rock pipit, golden eagle, cormorant and gannet. Cape Wrath Trail Memory Map Route File. [39] Disused military vehicles are often used as targets. [4][12][30] The cafe was opened by the Princess Royal, and seats eight people. [18], The cliff-top vegetation at sites such as Clò Mòr includes common scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis and a wide range of habitats are present. These include cliff-top sand dunes at the cape itself as well as montane habitats found at sea level.[30][32]. Don’t get bombed by the RAF. [5] In the 1930s it supported a population of 30 to 40 people, including a small side school at Achiemore which had up to ten pupils in the 1930s but closed in 1947. [10][11], Much of the area has been used for sheep grazing, a use which continues today, and shielings, shelters built for shepherds, can be found across the Cape. Grid ref. There are longer UK trails, but none avoid civilisation to the same extent. I walked the Cape Wrath Trail in the summer of 2017. [40], Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone, Cape Wrath locals accuse MoD of land grab, My travels: Mike Carter in Cape Wrath, Scotland, Cafe at the end of the universe ... where a cup of tea is guaranteed, Divers explore WW1 wreck of HMS Caribbean, http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/yorkshire-diver-first-to-see-wreck-for-nearly-90-years-1-2545421, Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom, Region 3 North-east Scotland: Cape Wrath to St. Cyrus, Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas, Fears over future as MoD buy-out of Cape Wrath land looms, £22.5k for Cape Wrath community land buyout, "Cape Wrath Lighthouse and Keepers' Cottages (Category A Listed Building) (LB488)", 'Don't bomb' idea for Cape Wrath firing range, NW will play part in largest military exercise in Europe, Cape Wrath will not be closed to public, MP says, Military activities undertaken at Cape Wrath. It is approximately 200 miles in length and is considered to be one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK. [2] The Cape Wrath Lighthouse was built in 1828 and the access road from the Kyle of Durness dates from the same period. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The sea cliffs around the cape are composed of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss. The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails. The Cape Wrath Trail is challenging and frustrating, mostly because the "Cape Wrath Trail" is something that someone (probably on the internet) made up. There's lots of amenities at most stops (hostels, bed and breakfast type places) . This is the southern section of our Cape Wrath Trail. Cape Wrath from Mapcarta, the free map. [19] Plant species include heather Calluna vulgaris, juniper Juniperus communis and ferns. The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britain’s toughest long distance walk. They converted it into a three-bedroomed home, and opened what is claimed to be Britain's most remote cafe, the Ozone Cafe, in 2009. The CWT offers some of the most magnificent landscapes and views I have found in the British Isles, but to gain access to them you must endure wet and demanding underfoot conditions, rapidly changing weather, exposure to the elements and a vast emptiness that is rare to find the UK anymore. [13] An inquiry later blamed the ship's carpenter for being insufficiently familiar with the ship and for failing to shut all the scuttles. [10] The Cape has few archaeological remains which can be dated to earlier than this, although a promontory fort at Eilean nan Caorach to the east of the headland may date to the late prehistoric age. [36] The RAF uses An Garbh-eilean (Garvie Island) as a target for a range of training operations. It is around 200 miles long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. This is one of the most challenging, rugged hikes in the UK. [25][48], The cape is visited by between 2,000 and 6,000 tourists a year, attracted by the lack of settlements, plants, animals, cliffs, mountain backdrop and lighthouse. The route is roughly 230 miles, and it took me 15 days to walk it north to south. Login to Download (Members Only) Route Profile: 366.4 km (227.7 miles) 11,127 m (36,506 ft) ascent 620 m (2,034 ft) maximum height (click to enlarge) The trail is often very far from any tryp eof services, so it is only recommended for experienced hikers and backpackers with knowledge of the route. Cape Wrath /ˈræθ/ (Scottish Gaelic: Am Parbh, known as An Carbh in Lewis) is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. [34][35] The area was used originally as a naval gunnery range and was bought by the MoD in 1999. [27] This exposed position, however, also means severe frost is rare compared to inland locations such as Altnaharra or Kinbrace. The Cape Wrath Ultra® is Scotland’s finest multi-stage ultra running event. The trail offers a number of activity options. The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails. [39] It is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where NATO forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in assault mode for training manoeuvres, deploying ordnance up to 1,000-pound (450 kg) bombs. Stretching approximately 230 miles (370 km) from the Highland hub of Fort William to the remote lighthouse of Cape Wrath, it is an unmarked and sometimes trailless route that passes through the wild and spectacular landscapes of northwestern Scotland. [25][34] The cape was used for training exercises from the early years of the 20th century,[35] with the first by-laws established in 1933 to allow use of the area as a firing range. Taking on the Cape Wrath Trail. Scottish Natural Heritage estimated that the area would take 10 years to return to its normal environmental conditions. [34][25][36][37] Training is allowed on up to 120 days a year,[38] usually taking place in the spring and autumn, although times can be unpredictable. [2] The road was built as part of the lighthouse construction in 1828 and, in places, uses a series of rock causeways to cross peat bogs and revetments to maintain a route along steep slopes. At the end of a long and (truthfully) somewhat boring walk along Loch Eil’s southern shore, I finally reached a point where I could leave the asphalted road behind and start heading north along a … [19] Just offshore is Stac Clò Kearvaig, also known as "The Cathedral" due to the appearance of two spires and a natural window created by erosion. It takes 10 minutes but there will be several crossings depending on the amount of passengers (it can only take 10 at a time). The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. At the very end of the trail, Cape Wrath itself is a live-firing range … The cape is part of the North West Highlands Geopark, a 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi) area with UNESCO geopark status. [55][56], The road, the U70, passes the hamlet of Achiemore where a Ministry of Defence check-point blocks access to the cape during live firing exercises. [52][53][54] The original slipway on the Kyle of Durness was built north of Daill with an associated storehouse similar to that at Clais Charnach. It runs for 11 miles (18 kilometres) to the lighthouse and the same distance back to the ferry dock on the Cape side. Cape Wrath is also the turning point for the Cape Wrath Marathon. It is approximately 234 miles in length. The Durness Development Group has made proposals, assisted by the Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone, to develop Cape Wrath as a visitor location. Cape Wrath Trail: Fort William to Na Socachan, Cape Wrath Trail: Fort William to Stratchcarron, Ben Nevis Mountain Path and North Face Path Circular, River Nevis and Ben Nevis Mountain Path Loop, Stob Ban (Mamores) and Mullach nan Coirean, The Great Glen Way: Fort William to Gairlochy. The Cape Wrath Trail is a 230 mile, 3-week challenge through wild and magnificent landscapes, such as Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt. [2] The road, ferry and minibus service are suspended during military training operations on the cape. An area of 123 square kilometres (47 sq mi) around the coastline is designated as a Special Landscape Area. [40], In 2008 a heath fire was caused on the range during a period of live firing. [3], A complex of buildings close to the lighthouse were built by Lloyd's of London between 1894 and 1903 as a signal station to track shipping around the Cape. [44][46], The MoD expressed an interest in extending its land holdings on the Cape in 2012 after being given the opportunity to purchase 24 hectares (59 acres) surrounding Cape Wrath Lighthouse by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The Route. Privileged position at the start of world War II as a naval range. Two trails [ 31 ] an area of around 137 hectares ( 2,508 5⁄8 acres was. Pretty straight forward fire was caused on the range is usually open public. 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The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial long distance trail and as such it is very remote and rarely walked. [2][18][19] Sea stacks, such as Stac an Dùnain at the cape itself and Stac Clò Kearvaig to the east, rise out of the sea off the coastline, with Duslic, a reef, 5⁄8 mi (1.0 km) north of the cape. Cape Wrath Trail is a hiking route that runs through the Scottish Highlands and along the west coast of Scotland.. [16][17], Numbers of seabirds in the area saw significant declines in the early 21st century with puffin numbers falling by 50%. The Cape Wrath Trail from Fort William to Durness (Glenfinnan / Knoydart route variant) The Great North Trail links the Pennine Bridleway with the northern tips of mainland Scotland, through some of Britain’s most stunning upland areas and four National Parks. Approximately 230 miles in length, most people take 2-3 weeks to backpack the trip. Cape Wrath is located in the traditional county of Sutherland within Highland Region. [42][44][45] A shell fired during exercises caused concern in 2002 when it landed 8 miles (13 kilometres) off-target near the mouth of Loch Eriboll and around 1 mi (2 km) from houses. Cape Wrath is also the turning point for the Cape Wrath Marathon. Materials for the road were quarried locally and there are a number of quarrying sites along it. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to complete and is considered the most difficult long-distance walk in the UK. The record low of −6.9 °C (19.6 °F) is comparable to those recorded in Shetland, the Hebrides and the Scilly Isles of England. [39], The MoD owns a number of the surviving buildings in the area and operates observation posts and sentry posts during training. An amazing adventure and happy to answer any question regarding the trail! Essential reading: The best treks in the world [40][41] Firing on the range is controlled from Faraid Head close to Balnakeil. Corryhully Bothy on a gloomy morning. Cape Wrath Trail Complete is a 219.3 mile point-to-point trail located near Fort William, Highland, Scotland that features a river and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britain’s toughest long distance trail, and is an unofficial route through some of the most spectacularly wild parts of Scotland. A rough road of around 11 miles (18 km) links the lighthouse with the Kyle of Durness which is crossed by a passenger ferry service operating between May and September. 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. This 6 day walk starts at the remote Kinloch Horn and takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery that the Scottish Highlands have to offer, finishing where the trail passes near Ullapool. To the east lies Garvie Island (An Garbh-eilean), one of the main targets for live firing by the military. [33] The light, which is 122 metres (400 ft) above sea level, is visible for 22 nautical miles (41 kilometres). [2][3][4], Cape Wrath was once the home of a series of small crofting communities, although by 1845 the only families remaining on the Parph were those of shepherds. The final 4-mile (6.5-kilometre) leg of the race is run from the mainland side from the ferry dock and finishes at Durness Community Centre. [16], The lighthouse at Cape Wrath was built in 1828 by Robert Stevenson and was manned until 1998, when it was converted to automatic operation by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The marathon is held each year as the final event of a week of races, the Cape Wrath Challenge.[51]. Like most of the crew, he had joined the ship just 10 days earlier. [32] Marine species present in the area include harbour porpoise, common seal and bottle-nosed dolphin as well as species such as sea squirts and sponges. Cape Wrath Trail Tracklogs Route File. Features: Stone floors, crude wooden platforms to sleep on, one open fire hearth. Durness is the closest village, 10 mi (16 km) southeast with Inverness around 120 mi (200 km) to the south. Cape Wrath is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. Dry shelter and wet company. Cape Wrath Trail: Glen Oykel to Inchnadamph is a 14.7 mile point-to-point trail located near Lairg, Highland, Scotland that features hot springs and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Login to Download (Members Only) Tracklogs Route File. It occupies a privileged position at the head of the 20km-long loch but is quite small and can quickly fill up. Cape Wrath trail route The Cape Wrath Trail is one of the world's finest long distance walks. [25] The group registered an interest in the land using community right to buy legislation and a petition opposing the sale attracted thousands of signatures. This is especially pronounced due to its western coastal location. There is no single definitive route. [5][23] An area of 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares), covering almost all of the northern part of the peninsula, is owned by the Ministry of Defence for use as a military training area.[24][25][26]. The Cape Wrath Trail does not offer hikers the luxury of certainty: flexibility is a critical part of the trailblazer’s mountain kit. Premium maps are available in this area. by Harvey Map Services Ltd | 25 Jul 2016. The Cape Wrath Trail: 8 Things to Expect The Cape Wrath Trail is a remote and challenging 200-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands. The name Cape Wrath is derived from Old Norse hvarf ("turning point"), accordingly, wrath is pronounced /ˈræθ/ (a as in cat),[1] Vikings are believed to have used the cape as a navigation point where they would turn their ships. [5][21][22][23] The land originally formed part of the Sutherland estates owned by the Duke of Sutherland. 4.5 out of 5 stars 27. Areas of it are also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area, a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Landscape Area. I had a chance to see parts of the Cape Wrath Trail that I love (Knoydart and Torridon), enjoyed the physical and mental challenge and managed to write a guide for planning a trip on the CWT.. Find out more > X The Glenfinnan Viaduct, the first landmark along the Cape Wrath Trail. An area of around 137 hectares (340 acres) was affected. A slight föhn effect can also occur with the right angle of southerly winds, exemplified by the record December high of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F). The Cape Wrath Ultra® is based on the Cape Wrath Trail, which is considered to be the toughest long distance backpacking trail in the UK.It crosses rugged landscapes and winds through genuine wilderness spending significant time away from civilisation. Cross a decent wooden footbridge and follow one of several paths the to bothy at Sourlies. This basic shelter maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. It is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain. 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. Completed June/July of 2019! Upgrade your experience! [34] It is used for naval gunfire practice and for army artillery and mortar range firing. Covering 330km (205 miles), the Cape Wrath Trail twists over Britain’s wild northwest from Fort William to Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point of the British mainland. This is because the difficulty of the terrain and the lack of way marking (or even defined paths in many places). The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. 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. The views you'll experience will be like no other place on the planet. As with the rest of the British Isles, Cape Wrath has an Oceanic (Köppen Cfb) climate. Need to Know Info | Cape Wrath Trail North to South – Cape Wrath to Sandwood Bay The Cape Wrath ferry (£4.50) leaves from Durness between 08.30 and 09.30 depending on tides and the ferry man. Strong winds can be a feature of weather conditions at the cape, with gusts of 140 mph (230 km/h) recorded. Pack light. [19] This area extends from Oldshoremore in the south-west to Durness in the east and includes the entire coastline of the cape area. 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. [30] An area of 1,019.2 hectares (2,518 1⁄2 acres) is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). [16] The cliffs around the cape are an internationally important nesting site for over 50000 seabirds, including colonies of puffin Fratercula arctica, razorbill Alca torda, guillemot Uria aalge, kittiwake Rissa tridactyla and fulmar Fulmarus glacialis. Cape Wrath Trail North XT40: Route Map. [20], Crofting townships of two or three houses with associated enclosures existed at Daill, Achiemore, Kearvaig and Inshore into the mid-20th century. The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. [2][6][7][8][9] Building remains at locations such as Kearvaig have been dated to the 18th century. Video documenting my April 2018 attempt of the Cape Wrath Trail. : 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. In 2020 I also walked a major part of it south to north on my Dover to Cape Wrath walk.. [5][57] A minibus service operates along the road during the summer period linking the ferry slipway with the lighthouse. [3][4] The lighthouse, which is a Category A listed building, is a 20-metre-tall (66 ft) white-washed tower built of granite with a single storey semi-circular base building. If you decide to do this trail feel free shoot me a message if you have questions! Access is restricted at times by military operations on the Cape. This road connects a passenger ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness with the buildings on the peninsula. [14] The wreck was found in 2004, 35 mi (56 km; 30 nmi)[14] off Cape Wrath, in 96 metres (315 ft; 52 fathoms) of water and undisturbed except for fishing nets.[14][15]. There are a million different variations, directions, and ideas when it comes to this route. [34][35] Since 2005 the area has been used as a multi-services training area and is one of the sites used in the Joint Warrior exercises, Europe's largest military exercise, and by other NATO operations. Cape Wrath Trail Complete is a 219.3 mile point-to-point trail located near Fort William, Highland, Scotland that features a river and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. [38] In May 2013 the MoD announced that it would not be continuing with the purchase. The range is usually open for public access during the summer period and there is rarely firing on Sundays. The trail offers a number of activity options. [31] An area of 1,015.2 hectares (2,508 5⁄8 acres) is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation. From the south, the only route to the Cape is on foot from Sandwood Bay and Kinlochbervie. The sole inhabitants of the Cape are the Ure family, renting the main building. Cape Wrath Trail - CapeWrathTrailGuide.org. [12], On 27 September 1915, while sailing for Scapa Flow, HMS Caribbean, known as RMS Dunottar Castle before being requisitioned for wartime service, foundered off Cape Wrath in bad weather. [7][30] It passes the farmsteads of Daill and Inshore, where the MoD uses the remaining house,[23] before a track to the right links the road to the old hamlet of Kearvaig, where there is a beach and Kearvaig House which the Mountain Bothies Association have converted into a bothy. The route leads you across most of the north west coast of Scotland via Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt, winding through its most beautiful glens and mountains. Depending on what time of year you go you may be able to avoid the bugs and poor weather. The Cape Wrath Trail is an unofficial, unmarked and magnificently wild long distance route … [16][17] These rise to 281 metres (922 ft) above sea level and include the highest sea cliffs on the British mainland at Clò Mòr around 4 miles (6 km) to the east of the headland. Getting from point to point is pretty straight forward. [30] The area has been described as one of the few coastal wildernesses in Britain. This closed in 1932, although the buildings were reused at the start of World War II as a coastguard station. So whether it’s for an epic long-distance challenge, a weekend away, or a fantastic day out, get out there and have an adventure. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Kyle of Durness and consists of 107 square miles (280 square kilometres) of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. Crossing such empty country, it is for the experienced backpacker only. [52] The road is marked with milestones and crosses the Allt na Guaille and Kearvaig River on contemporary arched bridges. [36][42][43] Concern has also been raised of the effects of military exercises on nesting birds,[36] on sheep during lambing season and the effects of noise on local residents. I have always been drawn to those remote and hard trails – maybe it is my need to feel that I’m on the edge and pushing my survival limits – so the Cape Wrath Trail became my goal in the UK. Its exposed northerly position can give rise to some exceptionally low winter sunshine levels: in January 1983 it recorded just 38 minutes of sunshine, a record low for Scotland. What motivates communities to buy land they live on? On the 81 mile route you'll find historic Jacobite battle grounds in Kintail, beautiful Caledonian Pine forest near Kinlochewe, and traverse the Fisherfields known as the last great wilderness of the UK. There is no single definitive route. [10] The area declined in population in the mid-20th century and is now almost entirely unpopulated, although military and tourism use continues. One of the few bothies to have a working power grid! Mar 16, 2014 Stage 4. A guidebook to the Cape Wrath Trail, a long-distance trek through the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Cape Wrath. [3] A Lloyd's of London signal station was built close to the lighthouse at the end of the 19th century to track shipping around the Cape. Located in Scotland, it runs from Fort William, through the Highlands and Western Scotland, to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath, the northwestern-most point of Scotland. The trail offers a number of activity options. As long as you don't have dietary restrictions you can buy food along the way if needed as well. There is no single definitive route. [12], The Ministry of Defence (MoD) owns a 59 km2 (23 sq mi) area of the cape, known as the Cape Wrath Training Centre. [12][30][49] The tourist industry is estimated to be worth between £400,000 and £620,000 to the economy of the local area around Durness.[12][49]. It … Huge cost to economy if access to Cape Wrath is denied, Scottish National Trail aims to link landscape and history, Kyle of Durness storehouse to Cape Wrath lighthouse, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cape_Wrath&oldid=982876978, Sites of Special Scientific Interest in North West Sutherland, Articles with dead external links from November 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles containing Old Norse-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Source 2: Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute/KNMI, This page was last edited on 10 October 2020, at 22:33. Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. Much of the cape is owned by the Ministry of Defence and is used as a military training area, including as live firing range. The Cape Wrath Trail is considered the hardest hiking route in the United Kingdom. [55] This was linked by a rough track with the road being extended south the slipway at Ferry House during the 1830s. Nonetheless, my trip was amazing! It takes place annually in A tow by HMS Birkenhead was unsuccessful, and 15 died. I will say it's one of the hardest backpacking experiences I've done mainly due to the rain we experienced, midges, and bogs bogs SO MANY BOGS. Harvey Cape Wrath Trail Maps Choice of maps is a particularly important decision when planning an expedition on the Cape Wrath Trail. The Cape Wrath Trail, 200 miles (320 kilometres) through isolated country from Fort William; The Scottish National Trail, 460 miles (740 kilometres) from Kirk Yetholm on the Scottish border. Inland the landscape is primarily covered in peat and is often boggy with difficult terrain and a number of lochans, the largest of which, Loch Airigh na Beinne, is around 0.6 square kilometres (1⁄4 sq mi) in area. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. [47] The plans were opposed by the Durness Development Group which cited concerns that historic buildings might be destroyed and that visitors may be unable to access cliff top paths. These may see the number of visitors rise to 10,000 and facilities at the Cape developed.[12]. Hikers usually take at least 20 days to complete the trail. It is unmarked, but following this route will help you stay on course. The first road was built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission across the Parph/Durness. [16][17] The SPA extends 2 km (1 1⁄4 mi) out to sea and includes the sea bed and marine environment which is a source of food for the bird population of the area. [4], Because its landscape is largely untouched by man, Cape Wrath has a wide diversity of wildlife, including red deer, hooded crow, rock pipit, golden eagle, cormorant and gannet. Cape Wrath Trail Memory Map Route File. [39] Disused military vehicles are often used as targets. [4][12][30] The cafe was opened by the Princess Royal, and seats eight people. [18], The cliff-top vegetation at sites such as Clò Mòr includes common scurvygrass Cochlearia officinalis and a wide range of habitats are present. These include cliff-top sand dunes at the cape itself as well as montane habitats found at sea level.[30][32]. Don’t get bombed by the RAF. [5] In the 1930s it supported a population of 30 to 40 people, including a small side school at Achiemore which had up to ten pupils in the 1930s but closed in 1947. [10][11], Much of the area has been used for sheep grazing, a use which continues today, and shielings, shelters built for shepherds, can be found across the Cape. Grid ref. There are longer UK trails, but none avoid civilisation to the same extent. I walked the Cape Wrath Trail in the summer of 2017. [40], Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone, Cape Wrath locals accuse MoD of land grab, My travels: Mike Carter in Cape Wrath, Scotland, Cafe at the end of the universe ... where a cup of tea is guaranteed, Divers explore WW1 wreck of HMS Caribbean, http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/around-yorkshire/local-stories/yorkshire-diver-first-to-see-wreck-for-nearly-90-years-1-2545421, Coasts and seas of the United Kingdom, Region 3 North-east Scotland: Cape Wrath to St. Cyrus, Assessment of Highland Special Landscape Areas, Fears over future as MoD buy-out of Cape Wrath land looms, £22.5k for Cape Wrath community land buyout, "Cape Wrath Lighthouse and Keepers' Cottages (Category A Listed Building) (LB488)", 'Don't bomb' idea for Cape Wrath firing range, NW will play part in largest military exercise in Europe, Cape Wrath will not be closed to public, MP says, Military activities undertaken at Cape Wrath. It is approximately 200 miles in length and is considered to be one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK. [2] The Cape Wrath Lighthouse was built in 1828 and the access road from the Kyle of Durness dates from the same period. The Cape Wrath Trail is a challenging route from Fort William to Cape Wrath. The sea cliffs around the cape are composed of Torridonian sandstone and Lewisian gneiss. The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails. The Cape Wrath Trail is challenging and frustrating, mostly because the "Cape Wrath Trail" is something that someone (probably on the internet) made up. There's lots of amenities at most stops (hostels, bed and breakfast type places) . This is the southern section of our Cape Wrath Trail. Cape Wrath from Mapcarta, the free map. [19] Plant species include heather Calluna vulgaris, juniper Juniperus communis and ferns. The Cape Wrath Trail is often referred to as Britain’s toughest long distance walk. They converted it into a three-bedroomed home, and opened what is claimed to be Britain's most remote cafe, the Ozone Cafe, in 2009. The CWT offers some of the most magnificent landscapes and views I have found in the British Isles, but to gain access to them you must endure wet and demanding underfoot conditions, rapidly changing weather, exposure to the elements and a vast emptiness that is rare to find the UK anymore. [13] An inquiry later blamed the ship's carpenter for being insufficiently familiar with the ship and for failing to shut all the scuttles. [10] The Cape has few archaeological remains which can be dated to earlier than this, although a promontory fort at Eilean nan Caorach to the east of the headland may date to the late prehistoric age. [36] The RAF uses An Garbh-eilean (Garvie Island) as a target for a range of training operations. It is around 200 miles long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. It is around 320km (200 miles) long and passes through some of Scotland's wildest and most spectacular scenery. This is one of the most challenging, rugged hikes in the UK. [25][48], The cape is visited by between 2,000 and 6,000 tourists a year, attracted by the lack of settlements, plants, animals, cliffs, mountain backdrop and lighthouse. The route is roughly 230 miles, and it took me 15 days to walk it north to south. Login to Download (Members Only) Route Profile: 366.4 km (227.7 miles) 11,127 m (36,506 ft) ascent 620 m (2,034 ft) maximum height (click to enlarge) The trail is often very far from any tryp eof services, so it is only recommended for experienced hikers and backpackers with knowledge of the route. Cape Wrath /ˈræθ/ (Scottish Gaelic: Am Parbh, known as An Carbh in Lewis) is a cape in the Durness parish of the county of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. [34][35] The area was used originally as a naval gunnery range and was bought by the MoD in 1999. [27] This exposed position, however, also means severe frost is rare compared to inland locations such as Altnaharra or Kinbrace. The Cape Wrath Ultra® is Scotland’s finest multi-stage ultra running event. The trail offers a number of activity options. The Cape is the northern trail head of two trails. [39] It is the only place in the Northern Hemisphere where NATO forces combine land, air and sea capabilities in assault mode for training manoeuvres, deploying ordnance up to 1,000-pound (450 kg) bombs. Stretching approximately 230 miles (370 km) from the Highland hub of Fort William to the remote lighthouse of Cape Wrath, it is an unmarked and sometimes trailless route that passes through the wild and spectacular landscapes of northwestern Scotland. [25][34] The cape was used for training exercises from the early years of the 20th century,[35] with the first by-laws established in 1933 to allow use of the area as a firing range. Taking on the Cape Wrath Trail. Scottish Natural Heritage estimated that the area would take 10 years to return to its normal environmental conditions. [34][25][36][37] Training is allowed on up to 120 days a year,[38] usually taking place in the spring and autumn, although times can be unpredictable. [2] The road was built as part of the lighthouse construction in 1828 and, in places, uses a series of rock causeways to cross peat bogs and revetments to maintain a route along steep slopes. At the end of a long and (truthfully) somewhat boring walk along Loch Eil’s southern shore, I finally reached a point where I could leave the asphalted road behind and start heading north along a … [19] Just offshore is Stac Clò Kearvaig, also known as "The Cathedral" due to the appearance of two spires and a natural window created by erosion. It takes 10 minutes but there will be several crossings depending on the amount of passengers (it can only take 10 at a time). The trail has evolved from use and is not an officially recognised National Trail. At the very end of the trail, Cape Wrath itself is a live-firing range … The cape is part of the North West Highlands Geopark, a 2,000 km2 (770 sq mi) area with UNESCO geopark status. [55][56], The road, the U70, passes the hamlet of Achiemore where a Ministry of Defence check-point blocks access to the cape during live firing exercises. [52][53][54] The original slipway on the Kyle of Durness was built north of Daill with an associated storehouse similar to that at Clais Charnach. It runs for 11 miles (18 kilometres) to the lighthouse and the same distance back to the ferry dock on the Cape side. Cape Wrath is also the turning point for the Cape Wrath Marathon. It is approximately 234 miles in length. The Durness Development Group has made proposals, assisted by the Highlands and Islands Social Enterprise Zone, to develop Cape Wrath as a visitor location. Cape Wrath Trail: Fort William to Na Socachan, Cape Wrath Trail: Fort William to Stratchcarron, Ben Nevis Mountain Path and North Face Path Circular, River Nevis and Ben Nevis Mountain Path Loop, Stob Ban (Mamores) and Mullach nan Coirean, The Great Glen Way: Fort William to Gairlochy. The Cape Wrath Trail is a 230 mile, 3-week challenge through wild and magnificent landscapes, such as Morar, Knoydart, Torridon and Assynt. [2] The road, ferry and minibus service are suspended during military training operations on the cape. An area of 123 square kilometres (47 sq mi) around the coastline is designated as a Special Landscape Area. [40], In 2008 a heath fire was caused on the range during a period of live firing. [3], A complex of buildings close to the lighthouse were built by Lloyd's of London between 1894 and 1903 as a signal station to track shipping around the Cape. [44][46], The MoD expressed an interest in extending its land holdings on the Cape in 2012 after being given the opportunity to purchase 24 hectares (59 acres) surrounding Cape Wrath Lighthouse by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The Route. Privileged position at the start of world War II as a naval range. Two trails [ 31 ] an area of around 137 hectares ( 2,508 5⁄8 acres was. Pretty straight forward fire was caused on the range is usually open public. 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