Cape Wrath Walk

The Cape Wrath Walk covers the final, dramatic stage from Sandwood Bay to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath — the most north-westerly point of the British mainland — crossing wild, rough moorland within an active Ministry of Defence firing range, with a seasonal bus and ferry providing the only practical return to Durness.

The route begins by climbing from Sandwood Bay to give wonderful views back over its sweeping sands, before tackling rough, pathless ground heading north through the Cape Wrath training range. Access here depends entirely on firing schedules, sometimes given only 24 hours' notice, so checking the Ministry of Defence website or phone line before setting out is essential — there is no access on foot or by vehicle when the range is closed. The route eventually turns away from the coast to join the access road for the final stretch to the dramatic cliffs and lighthouse at Cape Wrath, built in 1828 by Robert Stevenson.

After exploring the headland, it's worth continuing up the track past the derelict former coastguard station to higher ground for fine views back over the lighthouse and along the cliffs to the east, where the sandy beach and remote bothy at Kearvaig can be seen — maintained by the Mountain Bothy Association, and an atmospheric spot for a final night on the trail for those walking north to south. From Cape Wrath, a seasonal minibus and passenger ferry link back to Keoldale near Durness, though this service is entirely weather, tide, and firing-schedule dependent and cannot be booked in advance — arrive early or be prepared to wait. Walkers unable to get the ferry can retrace their steps to Sandwood Bay, or take the considerably longer and rougher option via the ferry house and jetty, working down the coast around the tidal estuary to reach the A838 south of Durness.

This is a serious, remote undertaking through pathless, boggy terrain with no mobile signal for much of the way, entirely dependent on live-firing schedules and tidal, weather-sensitive transport — full self-sufficiency, a realistic contingency plan, and confirmation of both the firing range status and ferry running times are all essential before setting out.

There is no vehicle access to Cape Wrath; the seasonal ferry and minibus (May–September, weather and tide dependent) link to Keoldale, a few kilometres from Durness.