Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland, United Kingdom. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Scotland, United Kingdom
- Biome
- Scottish highlands (0–800 m)
- Best season
- May – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: Scottish highlands (0–800 m)
- Best season: May – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Cape Wrath Trail
Topic summary
Britain's toughest long-distance walk — 380 km across the Northwest Highlands to Cape Wrath.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: May – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Scottish highlands (0–800 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Cape Wrath Trail trip tools
How to get there
Local access to Cape Wrath includes a passenger ferry across the Kyle of Durness, connecting with the road across the Parph to buildings on the peninsula. Confirm current ferry operation and military-land access before travelling.
- Kyle of Durness
The water crossing separating Cape Wrath from the rest of the mainland. A passenger ferry connects with the peninsula road; confirm current operation before depending on it.
- Parph road
The road across the cape’s moorland connects the passenger ferry with buildings on the peninsula. Its presence should not be taken to mean unrestricted access to surrounding military land.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Cape Wrath Trail
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
Animals around Cape Wrath Trail
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Cape Wrath TrailAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Cape Wrath Trail
Planning to fish Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland? Fishing licences, open seasons and catch limits in Scotland are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing licence at Cape Wrath Trail?
- A Scotland fishing licence is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Scotland fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Cape Wrath Trail
Thinking about hunting Cape Wrath Trail, Scotland? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Scotland are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Cape Wrath Trail?
- Confirm the land around Cape Wrath Trail is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Scotland?
- A Scotland hunting licence — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Cape Wrath and the far north-west
Cape Wrath is the most north-westerly point of mainland Great Britain, in the parish of Durness, Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands. Its setting is the Parph, a moorland wilderness covering 107 square miles, or 280 square kilometres. The Kyle of Durness separates the cape from the rest of the mainland, making the water crossing an important feature of local access. For Cape Wrath Trail planning, distinguish this cape-side geography from a complete walking itinerary: the ferry crossing and peninsula road are local access features, not a description of the wider trail. The scale of the moorland calls for careful navigation, suitable outdoor clothing and a realistic assessment of supplies. Treat travel around the cape as a distinct part of the journey rather than assuming mainland roads provide continuous access.
The Kyle crossing and peninsula road
A passenger ferry crosses the Kyle of Durness, connecting with a road that runs across the Parph to buildings on the peninsula. Built by the lighthouse commission in 1828, this was the cape’s first road. That arrangement matters when planning arrival and departure: a road on the peninsula does not mean there is a continuous road connection from the mainland. Confirm the ferry’s current operation and the suitability of onward travel before relying on this connection. Keep the crossing and the road journey separate in the itinerary, with time to deal with changes to either. These access features help explain how the cape is reached locally; they should not be treated as a signed or fully specified Cape Wrath Trail route.
Military land and protected moorland
Much of Cape Wrath is owned by the Ministry of Defence and used for military training, including live firing. This is a central planning issue, not simply background information about the landscape. Confirm current access arrangements with the Ministry of Defence before entering training land, and follow on-site warnings and instructions. Do not assume that the presence of a road establishes unrestricted access across the surrounding moorland. Areas of the cape also carry several conservation designations: Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Special Landscape Area. Keep disturbance low and avoid damaging vegetation when moving through the Parph. Planning here needs to account for both the practical demands of a large moorland landscape and the land’s military and conservation uses.
Route options
- Kyle of Durness passenger ferry crossing
A local access option by water, rather than a walking route. The ferry crosses the Kyle and connects with the road on the Cape Wrath side.
- Road across the Parph
The peninsula’s historic road links the ferry connection with buildings at Cape Wrath. Treat it as a local access corridor, not a complete Cape Wrath Trail itinerary, and confirm current access arrangements before setting out.
Sample itineraries
- Cape Wrath endpoint visit · 1 day
Plan a standalone visit to Cape Wrath, mainland Great Britain's most north-westerly point. Confirm military access arrangements and passenger ferry operation across the Kyle of Durness before setting out. The peninsula road connects the ferry with buildings on the cape; this is not a full-trail itinerary.
- Durness and Cape Wrath planning buffer · 2 days
Allow two days around Durness for an endpoint-focused visit, keeping the cape outing conditional on access, transport and weather. Use the additional day as flexibility rather than a prescribed walking stage. Confirm onward travel before crossing the Kyle of Durness.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Prepare for exposed moorland and coastal conditions. Check the forecast, military access arrangements and ferry operation rather than assuming spring guarantees straightforward access.
Summer
Summer
Carry weather protection even for a summer visit. The Parph is a substantial moorland wilderness, not a sheltered roadside attraction. Confirm transport and access before committing to the crossing.
Fall
Fall
Keep plans flexible around the forecast and available daylight. Pack for wet, windy conditions on exposed ground, and verify ferry operation and military access before departure.
Winter
Winter
Take a conservative approach to exposed coastal and moorland travel. Check daylight, weather and transport carefully; do not assume the cape is accessible simply because a road reaches it.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Prepare for exposed moorland and coastal conditions. Check the forecast, military access arrangements and ferry operation rather than assuming spring guarantees straightforward access. |
| Summer | Summer | Carry weather protection even for a summer visit. The Parph is a substantial moorland wilderness, not a sheltered roadside attraction. Confirm transport and access before committing to the crossing. |
| Fall | Fall | Keep plans flexible around the forecast and available daylight. Pack for wet, windy conditions on exposed ground, and verify ferry operation and military access before departure. |
| Winter | Winter | Take a conservative approach to exposed coastal and moorland travel. Check daylight, weather and transport carefully; do not assume the cape is accessible simply because a road reaches it. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current access requirements and military training restrictions with the managing agency before travel.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Much of Cape Wrath is Ministry of Defence land used for military training, including live firing. Check access instructions and obey all warnings.
- The Kyle of Durness separates the cape from the rest of the mainland. Confirm passenger ferry operation and return arrangements before relying on that access.
- The Parph contains 107 square miles of moorland wilderness. Carry navigation equipment and allow a margin for slow progress.
- Exposed coastal and moorland terrain calls for weather protection and conservative decisions when conditions deteriorate.
What to pack for Cape Wrath Trail
- Map covering the intended outing
- Compass and the skills to use it
- Offline navigation with backup power
- Confirmed access and transport information
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulating layers
- Hat and gloves
- Footwear suitable for moorland
- Food and drinking water for the outing
- Emergency shelter
- First-aid kit
- Headlamp
Cape Wrath Trail FAQ
- Where is Cape Wrath?
- Cape Wrath is in the parish of Durness, Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands. It is the most north-westerly point in mainland Great Britain.
- Are these full Cape Wrath Trail itineraries?
- No. These are endpoint-focused visit plans, not a verified end-to-end walking schedule. Arrange separate route planning, overnight stops and resupply before attempting the full trail.
- How is the cape accessed from Durness?
- A passenger ferry crosses the Kyle of Durness. A road across the Parph connects the ferry with buildings on the peninsula. Confirm current transport arrangements before travelling.
- Does military activity affect access?
- Much of the cape is owned by the Ministry of Defence and used for military training, including live firing. Obtain current access instructions before entering the area.
- What is the Parph?
- The Parph is the cape's moorland wilderness, covering 107 square miles, or 280 square kilometres. Its scale warrants careful navigation and self-sufficient planning.
- Is Cape Wrath a protected landscape?
- Parts of the cape have Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation and Special Landscape Area designations. Avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging vegetation.