The North Coast Trail

From Thurso you can explore the eastern section of Caithness coastline taking in Duncansby Head and Stacks, John O’ Groats, Dunnet Head and even include an optional day trip by ferry to the Orkney Islands with its rich Viking Heritage.

Dunnet Head allows the opportunity to visit the most northerly point of the British Mainland and offers spectacular views down over sea cliffs below with numerous bird colonies.

Further stages include Strathy, Bettyhill and Tongue where, during the summer months between May and August, it may be possible to view puffins during their breeding season on land.

Continue west to Durness with a ferry trip across the Kyle and walk to iconic Cape Wrath, named by the Vikings as the Norse for “turning point”. The Lighthouse at Cape Wrath was built in 1828 and is a Category A listed building: a 20-metre (66 ft) tall, white-washed tower built of granite with a single storey semi-circular base.

A further optional extra is available to extend your tour with a walk out to the magnificent beaches at Sandwood Bay on the dramatic Atlantic coastline. The walk from Kinlochbervie past the hamlets of Blairmore, Batrick and Shegra is rewarded by your arrival at one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Britain. Spend time exploring the mile of golden sand and dunes, with rocky cliffs and a giant sea stack to complete the dramatic scene.

Caution – overall, although the distances on this trek are not overly long and the height gain is moderate, the route should only be considered by reasonably experienced walkers with good map and compass reading abilities due to the lack of way-marking and the trails that are indistinct at times.

This information is especially important if walking alone.

Interested in walking the North Coast Trail? Fill out our enquiry form today.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

The below itinerary is our suggested seven day walking itinerary. Please let us know in the enquiry form if you would like more information on alternative itineraries on the route from Thurso to Durness.

ARRIVE THURSO (YOUR BASE FOR THREE DAYS)

The North Coast Trail begins at Thurso, the most northerly town on the British mainland. Located at the end of the A9, the main transport route through Scotland, Thurso is 300 miles from the main industrial area of Central Scotland and the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is also the birthplace of Sir William Alexander Smith (1854 – 1914), the founder of the Boys’ Brigade, who was born in Pennyland House, now a Guest House used by EasyWays on the walk

DUNCANSBY HEAD & ORKNEY ISLES (OPTIONAL)

DISTANCE: 5.50 MILES / 9KM

The morning begins with a private transfer to John O’ Groats for a walk around the local area to Duncansby Head Lighthouse and The Stacks, towering sea stacks believed to have stood in this position for the last 6000 years, slowly eroding away due to the raw power of the North Sea

This walk can be extended by taking the local bus to Freswick and walking north back to Duncansby Head for an extended view of the Stacks. Walk distance (5 miles / 8km).  Check bus times on arrival into John O’ Groats as the timetable can be subject to late change.

Alternatively include a day on Orkney although this will mean an early departure from Thurso to connect with the 08.45 JOG Day Trip  to the islands.

The ferry return time allows connection by public bus back to Thurso.

Please let us know at the time of booking if you intend to take the Orkney Day Trip Option.

DUNNET HEAD AND CASTLETOWN

DISTANCE: 13.50 MILES / 22 KM

Today begins with another private transfer to Dunnet Head Lighthouse, the most northerly point on the British Mainland. Return by following the western side of the coastline on unmarked tracks overlooking spectacular cliffs with views to the Orkney Islands to the north.

Descend Dunnet Head past secluded Peedee Bay and down to Dwarwick Pier where the hard road should be taken behind the row of cottages all the way to the main A836 road. Here you will find Dunnet Bay (Gin) Distillery and the Northern Sands Hotel before reaching the eastern end of Dunnet Bay. Walk across the golden sands returning to the Castletown at the west side of the bay for the public bus return to Thurso.

THURSO TO STRATHY TRANSFER

Holborn Head and Scrabster (6.75 miles / 11 km) – morning walk before transfer

Begin the day with a morning visit to the picturesque harbour at Scrabster and onward walk out to Holborn Head before returning to Thurso for private transfer in the afternoon to Strathy.

Strathy Point (5 miles / 8 km) – afternoon or evening

On arrival at Strathy, take a late afternoon or early evening walk out to Strathy Point that projects sharply out from the central section of Scotland’s northern coastline. An undemanding but interesting walk over flat terrain with Strathy Lighthouse to mark the destination before returning on the same path. Some excellent coastal views including a dramatic arch, it is also a great place to watch for cetaceans, with whales and dolphins frequently seen in the summer months.

STRATHY TO BETTYHILL TRANSFER

Ard Mòr Circuit (3 miles / 5 km) – morning

Morning transfer to Bettyhill with time before lunch to walk around Àrd Mòr, a high peninsula north of Bettyhill Village. The route offers an elevated walk over the rough and pathless landscape however it gives superb coastal views. Take the back road in Bettyhill, signed for the Pier, and then turn right off it onto a track – signed for Àrd Mòr viewpoint. Just beyond a lochan as the road bends left. A short distance along the track there is a large parking area off to the left side. Begin the walk here and follow the track which leads down to some picnic tables and a memorial overlooking Farr Bay.

Torrisdale Bay and Broch Invernaver (5 miles / 8 km)

In the afternoon take the A836 road west towards Tongue to cross the River Naver on the iron bridge to access Torrisdale Bay. Care should be taken here as the grass footpath does not extend the full distance and some road walking is required.

The walk takes in a spectacular beach, dunes, riverside and moorland, as well as visiting an iron-age broch with stunning views. It passes an area of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare plants and archaeological remains however the section over the top can be hard to follow so some navigation skills are needed.

BETTYHILL TO TONGUE TRANSFER

Caisteal Bharraich, Tongue – (2 miles / 3.5 km) – morning

Take a morning transfer and, on arrival in Tongue, walk the short distance to Caisteal Bharraich, (Castle Varrich) a prominent ruined castle in a superb prominent position overlooking the Kyle of Tongue. A very pleasant short walk from Tongue village that allows the afternoon free for the more demanding walk around the Kyle of Tongue.

Kyle of Tongue Circuit – (12 miles / 19 km) – afternoon

A circular walk beginning and ending in the village of Tongue. Take the road south to pass Tongue Post Office towards Ribigill and on south passing two lochans to cross the Kinloch River and turning before Kinloch Lodge, the furthest away point on the route.

From here turn north to reach the top of the Kyle walking up the western side of the coastline until the causeway bridge is reached. Turn right to cross the Kyle and return to the route starting point in Tongue.

Ben Loyal – (13.75km / 8.5 miles) – option for more experienced walkers

Ben Loyal has a very distinctive profile, leading to it being known as the Queen of Scottish Mountains.

Access is by a quiet road south of Tongue taking the signpost for Ribigill on through a series of gates over boggy terrain to find the beginning of the gradient.

Rising in an isolated position above the north coast, it makes for a fantastic day out. The long ridge with four peaks offers superb 360 degree views of bog, moor, mountains and sea.

TONGUE TO DURNESS AND CAPE WRATH

Kyle of Durness to Cape Wrath ( 3 miles / 4.8 km)

Local Cape Wrath / Kearvaig walking only

Today an early morning private transfer is arranged from Tongue, past Durness to the Keoldale ferry point on the Kyle of Durness for crossing and onward local minibus transfer to the Lighthouse at Cape Wrath, the most north-westerly point on the British mainland.   Time spent at the lighthouse before walking to idyllic Kearvaig Beach (suggested lunch and swimming spot) before rendezvousing with the minibus for the return to Keoldale ferry.

The lighthouse at Cape Wrath was built in 1828 by Robert Stevenson and was manned until 1998 when it was converted to automatic operation. It is a Category A listed building, 20 metres tall, consisting of a white-washed tower built of granite with a single-storey semi-circular base building.

Cape Wrath has a wide diversity of wildlife, including red deer golden eagles and a variety of seabirds such as cormorant and gannet can be seen on this walk.

Keoldale – Durness (7 miles / 11.2 km)

On return to Keoldale the return to Durness is by the west side of the Durness Circuit to Balnakeil Craft Village, then on quiet roads through Durness and on to your hotel for the evening.

DURNESS - A SERIES OF LOCAL WALKS

Smoo Cave and Durness (2 miles / 3.2 km)

A more relaxing day with local walking around Smoo Cave located on the eastern approaches to the settlement of Durness.  We take time to view the cave from the beach before reaching Durness by way of Sango Sands on a mix of seaside tracks and road walking in time for lunch.

Smoo Cave and Bhlar Duibhe (4.5 miles / 7 km) – morning

Begin the day with a transfer to Smoo Cave located on the approaches to the settlement of Durness. Discover the cave and the local beach are before taking a circular walking route inland. Thereafter reach Durness by way of Sango Sands in time for lunch.

Balnakeil and Faraid Head (4.5 miles / 7 km) – afternoon

In the afternoon take time to discover Durness and Balnakeil Craft Village before walking the circular route out past the beaches at Balnakeil to Faraid Head. Overnight at Durness.

Kyle of Durness Circuit (5.6 miles / 9 km) – optional

In the event of inclement weather preventing a crossing to Cape Wrath it is possible to take a local walk around the Durness Circuit at the western end of the town adjacent to Balnakeil. Overnight at Durness.

Sandwood Bay – additional day option (8 miles / 13 km)

The day begins with a morning transfer by  public bus to Kinlochbervie where your bags can be deposited before walking out to Blairmore and onward to the magnificent beaches at Sandwood Bay on the dramatic Atlantic coastline. The walk is rewarded by one of the most beautiful and remote beaches in all of Britain. Spend time exploring the mile of golden sand and dunes, with rocky cliffs and a giant sea stack to complete the dramatic scene before walking back via Oldshoremore and returning to Kinlochbervie for the final overnight on the tour.