| Cape Wrath Trail | |
|---|---|
| Cape Wrath lighthouse, the
final destination on the Cape Wrath Trail |
|
| Length | 205 miles; 330 km |
| Location | Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Trailheads | Banavie (Fort William) Cape Wrath |
| Use | Hillwalking, Hiking, Munro Bagging |
| Trail difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous |
| Season | All year |
| Sights | Scottish Highlands |
| Hazards | Severe Weather, Lack of facilities |
Cape Wrath Trail is a hiking route that runs through the Scottish Highlands and along the west coast of Scotland.
It is approximately 200 miles in length and is considered to be one of the most challenging long distance walks in the UK. [1] Despite not being an officially recognised National Trail it has grown to be one the most highly regarded backpacking routes, attracting hikers from around the world.
The trek initially gained prominence via a 1996 book by David Paterson entitled The Cape Wrath Trail: A New 200-mile Walking Route Through the North-west Scottish Highlands. This was followed in 1999 by a separate publication (North to the Cape: A trek from Fort William to Cape Wrath) by Denis Brook and Phil Hinchliffe.
In both versions the trail begins in Fort William and ends at Cape Wrath lighthouse on the northwest tip of the Scottish mainland. It connects with the West Highland Way and part of an alternative route suggested by Cameron McNeish follows the Great Glen Way out of Fort William before joining the main route in Glen Shiel.
A new, updated guidebook to the Cape Wrath Trail is currently being written and is due to be published by Cicerone in 2012. [2]
These guidebooks estimate an experienced hiker should be able to traverse the entire route in less than 20 days. However the two sets of authors detail slightly different routes and stages for hikers to follow.
Officially the trail is not endorsed by Scottish Natural Heritage and it is not waymarked or signposted. Facilities along the trail are also minimal and it covers some of the remotest parts of mainland Britain.
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