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Mountaineering the Cape Wrath Path in Scotland


Mountaineering the Cape Wrath Path in Scotland

The Cape Wrath Path is taken into account the toughest mountaineering route in the UK. Positioned in Scotland, it runs from Fort William, by way of the Highlands and Western Scotland, to the lighthouse at Cape Wrath, the northwestern-most level of Scotland. Roughly 230 miles in size, most individuals take 2-3 weeks to backpack the journey.

Technically, the Cape Wrath Path shouldn’t be a path in any respect, however a route, that means that you could stroll from one finish to the opposite any method you want. This provides hikers a good quantity of leeway the place they hike and the mountains and aspect journeys they soak up alongside the best way. There are numerous well-known mountains alongside the west coast of Scotland, effectively value climbing, if the climate cooperates and you want mountain views.

Navigating across Trackless Terrain in Scotland
Navigating throughout trackless terrain in Scotland

Whereas there are guidebooks obtainable and even maps for folks to observe, the Cape Wrath Path is unmarked and unblazed, requiring good navigation expertise to finish. Most of the time, folks stroll a number of the method on outdated drover’s roads known as Hill Tracks, property roads, and outdated paths, though there are occasions when you’ll hike cross-country over miles of grass tussocks, heather, and lavatory. Earlier Scottish hillwalking expertise is unquestionably an asset and a excessive diploma of self sufficiency is required.

Why would one ever wish to hike a route like this? It’s in Scotland for one, which is just a magical place to backpack. Mountainous, wild, and distant, you may journey for days with out seeing a soul. Planning your personal cross nation route can also be a enjoyable, if time-consuming course of, and provides to the pleasure of the journey. Lastly, mountaineering the Cape Wrath Path offers you the chance to navigate a wild route for a whole lot of miles with out worrying about personal property boundaries and different hassles. Walkers can hike the place they need in Scotland, one of many few international locations on this planet that has right-of-way legal guidelines for that function. The liberty to roam…that’s freedom.

Mountains near Torridon on the West Coast of Scotland
Mountains close to Torridon on the West Coast of Scotland

However the Cape Wrath Path is difficult for all the explanations that make backpacking in Scotland difficult:

  • Being on the west coast, you’re extra prone to encounter the moist climate that blows cross nation from west to east.
  • There aren’t any bushes, so little cowl, and also you’ll usually have to camp at evening in excessive wind.
  • Huge peat bogs, the Scottish equal of quicksand, require cautious footwork to cross.
  • Resupply factors are scarce, so that you’ll wish to carry loads of meals and gas.
  • The bottom may be very moist and your toes will likely be moist more often than not.
  • It’s worthwhile to be continuously vigilant about the place you might be, so that you don’t get misplaced.
Water is plentiful for wild camping.
Water is plentiful for wild tenting.

Fortunately, there aren’t any bears or wild animals to fret about, though bloodsucking midges are a hazard relying on the time of 12 months, and Lyme illness carrying ticks are on the rise.

When you’ll in all probability camp out more often than not, there are streams and lochs in every single place and water is rarely briefly provide.

There are additionally outbuildings known as Mountain Bothies that dot the countryside, usually donated by farms and estates, for walkers to shelter in. They normally have a range or hearth inside. I’ve mates who carry lumps of coal on their backpacking journeys after they plan a keep since there’s so little firewood obtainable close by. Nonetheless these plain buildings present welcome shelter in poor climate and make a pleasant spot to get out of the wind and rain for lunch while you cross by through the day.

Coire Fionnaraich Bothie
Coire Fionnaraich Bothie

Should you’re not from Scotland, your largest problem is prone to be understanding the thick Scottish accent and unfamiliar vocabulary utilized by locals in native outlets and pubs. However folks are typically well mannered and welcoming in rural Scotland and so long as you thoughts your manners, you may count on heat hospitality.

The perfect time to hike the Cape Wrath Path is mid-Could to early June earlier than the midges come out.  Should you’ve by no means backpacked in Scotland, mountaineering from the west coast to the east coast of Scotland within the Annual TGO Problem is sweet preparation for planning and mountaineering a Cape Wrath route of your personal. I accomplished the Problem in 2010 solo, and once more in 2013 with pal Martin Rye, and have one other crossing deliberate in 2024.

For extra details about the Cape Wrath Path, listed below are just a few good hyperlinks and references:

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