Make your way westwards from Dunoon past Toward Point to the five degree west line at map reference OS63 124 676 where the walk proper starts. Follow the minor road up the side of Loch Striven past Ardyne Point to reach Inverchaolin farm. Take the track past the farm which soon peters out to a faint line which can be followed on the SE side of Inverchaolin Glen to reach the Bealach na Sreine. A forest bars the way ahead but can be skirted N for about 1 km. to pick up a track just beyond its northern edge which leads initially SE then N down through the forest to the B836. Continue along the road to reach the campsite at Inverveck.
Accommodation: Campsite, Hotel
Replenishment point
Walk back along A815 and take the side road to Benmore where a road leads to the Botanic Garden. Follow this road through the garden to the foot of Loch Eck and continue along the W side of the loch on a good track to Glenbranter. Beyond Glenbranter take the side road past Balliemore to meet the A815 just S of Strachur.
Accommodation: wild camp or B&B in Strachur 2km off route.
Replenishment point
Take the side road off A815 leading to Strachurmore. A short way down this road, strike over the hills to Creag Dhubh and the five degree line beyond. Follow the line N to Laglingarten on the A815. Head E along the road for about 1 km. and take a side road on the L down to the loch-side. Follow this to Ardkinglass and Cairndow eventually to arrive at the A83. Follow the A83 to the entrance to Glen Shira. (This section along the busy A83 is probably the poorest section of the walk but is difficult to avoid.)
Accommodation: wild camp or Hotels, B&B in Invererey 2km off route
Replenishment point
Follow the road up Glen Shira past Drimlee and take the forest road E to cross the Brannie Burn and thence to the dam at the W end of Loch Shira. Continue past the dam on a clear track leading W to find a place to camp on the five degree line. ( A more strenuous but more elegant alternative would be to cross the River Shira at the bridge at Drimlee and follow the five degree line directly northwards over Craig an Fhithich to the camping place.)
Accommodation: wild camp
Follow the track W then N to reach the Allt an Stacan and proceed upstream to reach the Bealach na Cabrach. There pick up a service road running NW down to the monument dedicated to Duncan McKintyre and continue to Dalmally. At the Dalmally Hotel take the B8077 past Stronmilchan to find a camping place near the entrance to Glen Strae.
Accommodation: wild camp or B&B around Dalmally
Replenishment point
Follow the track up Glen Strae and strike NW up the Allt Dhoireann and over the Lairig Dhoireann down into Glen Kinglass. The River Kinglass is crossed by a footbridge about 2km downstream from Glenkinglass Lodge. A number of camping possibilities can be found by the trackside near the confluence of the Allt Hallater and the River Kinglass.
Accommodation: wild camp
Proceed up the Allt Hallater following a track which initially is indistinct eventually to reach the col between Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor. Continue up the W ridge of Glas Bheinn Mhor to pick up a path on the E side of the summit leading N down into Glen Etive. Continue NE along the glen road to find a place to camp near Glenceitlein. (An alternative possibility is to follow the five degree line more directly from the campsite in Glen Kinglass up the craggy S flank of Beinn nan Aighenan to reach the summit and from there by its N ridge to the col between Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor)
Accommodation: wild camp
Continue NNE along the Glen Etive road beyond Dalness to reach the start of the Lairig Eilde path. Follow to the summit of the pass then leave the path to head due W to gain the summit of Stob Coirre Sgreamhach by its E corrie and S ridge. From the summit continue on the path leading to Bidean nam Beann to arrive at the col above the Lost Valley. Drop down into the valley and follow to Glen Coe.
Accommodation: wild camp or Clachaig Inn 4 km off route.
Replenishment point
Proceed to the car park on the A82 at Allt nan Reigh and climb the steep path to the summit of Am Bodach. Continue W along the Aonach Eagach ridge to gain the summit of Meall Dearg and the five degree line. From the summit take the path leading down the N ridge and turn the shoulder of Garbh Bheinn in the W to reach the B836 which is followed to Kinlochleven.
Accommodation: camping, hotels B&B
Replenishment point
From Kinlochleven follow the road to Mamore Lodge and from there W to the foot of Stob Coire Na h’ Eirghe. Climb N up its steep S flank to the summit and continue N to the summit of Sgorr an Iubhair. From there continue along the Devil’s Ridge to Sgurr a Mhaim and down its NW ridge to meet the road in Glen Nevis. Follow the road E to the Nevis Gorge and various campsite possibilities. (Alternatively the section can be finished here by walking down the road to Fort William.)
Accommodation: wild camp.
Replenishment point:
End of section 1
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From a point just through the gorge in Glen Nevis find a path L which leads to the col N of Meall Cumhann. From the col thread up through slabs on the SE flank of Ben Nevis eventually to cross a boulder field and reach the col above Coire Leis. Carry on round the airy traverse of the Carn Mor Dearg Arette, over Carn Mor Dearg and on to Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Beag Dearg. Descend the N slopes of Carn Beag Dearg and head towards Torlundy to reach a dam on the Allt Daimh just above the tree line at the start of a forest trail.
Accommodation: wild camp near the dam
From the dam take the forest trail down to the ski station at Aonach Mor and continue E on forest tracks towards Leanachan, then N towards Tom na Teine then E again to Killechonachie and Spean Bridge. The B8954 is followed to the camp site at Torness.
Accommodation: camp site, hotels B&B in Spean Bridge
Replenishment point
From the Torness camp site walk to Gairloch and take the B8004 NE to Achnacarry and the E end of Loch Arkaig. Head E along the road to the waterfall and parking place at Chia Aig.
Accommodation: wild campFrom Chia Aig waterfall take the path up Glen Chia Aig and cross W through Glen Tarsuinn towards the Bealach na h’Urchaire. Descend NW down the Allt Allain to pick up a forest track leading to a bridge across the River Garry at the E end of Loch Poulary. From there the road is followed to Tomdoun.
Accommodation: wild camp at Loch Poulary, hotel at Tomdoun.
Replenishment point
From Tomdoun Hotel take the road over to Loch Loyne and follow the S shore of the loch (rough walking) to the dam at its NE end. Walk up from the dam to the A87, continue to the junction with the A887 and go W to camp at the E end of Loch Cluanie.
Accommodation: wild camp
Replenishment point
Proceed N up the E side of Allt nan Peathran to a track on the S side of River Doe. Follow this NW up Corrie Doe to cross a bridge over the river then head N up the S flank of Carn a Coirre Bhuidhe to reach the summit. From there head NW to the summit of Aonach Shasuinn and drop down its N ridge to Loch Sguid where a path is picked up leading to Glen Affric.
Accommodation: wild camp
Follow the track on the S side of Loch Affric to the bridge at the car park and continue along the road to meet the path leading to Toll Creagach. Continue along the path to meet the five degree west line and climb due N to the summit of Toll Creagach. From the summit drop down the NE ridge skirting Creag a Bhaca on the W and N side, descending to the S shore of Loch Mullardoch. Skirt the E end of the loch to reach the car park at the dam.
Accommodation: wild camp.
Walk about 2km W on the N shore of Loch Mullardoch and take the path NW leading to the col between Carn nan Gobhar and Creag Dubh. Continue NW to the summit of Creah Dubh and descend the ridge running N then NE to reach a path leading to Inchvuilt. Cross the River Farrar (ford or bridge) and follow the road W leading to Loch Monar.
Accommodation: wild camp
Continue past Monar Lodge to pick up a track leading NNE up the Allt a Choirre Dhomhain to the head of the valley and cross NW to gain the River Orrin. Follow the River Orrin NE to Loch na Caoidhe and take a track NE then NW over the pass leading to Coirre Mhoraigain and continue down to Coirriefeol.
Acommodation: wild camp.
Go past Corriefeol to meet the road at the W end of Loch Beamacharain and take the road leading NW towards Achnasheen. After about 4 km, skirt round the edge of the forest and double back eastwards on its N side to pick up the 5 degree line. This is then followed directly N to reach the S bank of the River Bran. Go E for 2 km to find a bridge over the river to gain the A832 at Rosebank Plantation.
Accommodation : wild camp
Replenishment point
Head N between the Rosebank and Strathbran plantations to gain the open hillside leading to Loch na Curra and the summit of An Cabar. Descend steeply down to the S shore of Loch Fannich and walk along the road to the E side of the loch, turning back on the N side to reach Fannich Lodge. Continue 1km beyond the lodge to meet the five degree line.
Accommodation: wild camp
Return to Fannich Lodge and take the path N to Creachan Rairigidh and follow NW to the summit of Sgurr Mor. Descend E to the col between Sgurr Mor and Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich. From the col a steep path leads down its N side to the floor of the coire. The coire is traversed to the N of Loch a Mhadaith eventually to meet a path running N to Braemore Junction.
Accommodation: wild camp
Replenishment point
From Braemore Junction take the signed path towards Beinn Enaiglair which is situated on its W flank. A choice of routes is possible from here. a) From a point on the five degree line NW of Beinn Enaiglair go due N and descend the steep broken ground into Glen na Sguaib. Cross the glen and continue due N on the five degree line traversing the W shoulder of Druim na Saobhaidhe and continue over rough ground eventually to reach the Allt Siolar and a camping spot. b)Follow the path round the N side of Beinn Enaiglair and continue on a good path to the summit of Iorguill. From there follow the NW ridge to the summit of Bein Dearg. Descend N to the path leading down Glen na Sguaib, eventually breaking off NW over the shoulder of Druim na Saobhaidhe to meet the five degree line. Continue N to camping spot by the Allt Siolar.
Accommodation: wild camp.
From the camp site by the Allt Siolar, head due N on the five degree line to meet a track leading NE to East Rhidorroch Lodge. Cross the Rhidorroch River by the bridge at the Lodge and follow the path E towards Loch na Daimh till a path is picked up running N between Loch an Eilean and Clar Lochan. Follow the Allt na Clar Lochan till it meets Rappach Water and follow upstream W to Loch Sail.
Accommodation: wild camp
From Loch na Sail follow the five degree line N eventually dropping down NE to a ruined building at the E end of Loch a Choisg. From there climb to the summit of Meallan Odhair, continue to the summit of Meall a Bhuiridh then W over the Cromalt Hills to A Chioch. From there head NW to Meall Coire an Lochan and then N over Meal Preas a Chreamha. Descend N to Uamh an Tartair eventually picking up the top of a track leading down to Knockan.
Accommodation wild camp
Replenishment point
From Knockan follow the A835 through Elphin to pick up a path at the E end of Cam Loch. Follow this for 0.5km then head N over Cnoc an Leathaid Bhig and Cnoc an leathaid Bhuidhe. Continue N along the five degree line to a point above Stronchruibie and a bridge over the River Loanan. Drop down to the A837 and follow N to Inchnadamph.
Accommodation: wild camp, hotel at Inchnadamph.
Replenishment point
At a point on the A837 near Ardvreck castle, take the drove road on the right leading under the W flank of Glas Bheinn which eventually comes out again on the A837 at Loch na Gainmhich. The road is followed to Unapool and over the Kylesku Bridge to Kylestrome. On the A837 just N of Kylestrome take a road on the right leading E towards Achfarry and various camping possibilities.
Accommodation: wild camp
Follow the track E to Achfarry for about 1km then branch NW towards Loch Allt na Ramh, then NE towards Loch an Inneil continuing NE to meet the five degree line. From there strike NW skirting the high ground eventually to turn NE past Loch nan h-Ath to meet a path at the top of Strath Stack. Follow the path NE down to the A838 and Loch Stack Lodge. Camp beyond the lodge.
Accommodation: wild camp
From Loch Stack lodge follow the path NE towards Arkle. At Loch Airigh a Bhaird turn N and cross to the S end of Loch a Garbh-bhaid Mor. Continue on a very rough track along the E side of the loch to the Garbh Allt which has to be forded. Continue along an improving track on the NE side of Loch a Garbh-bhaid Beag to reach Rhiconich Hotel. From the hotel follow the B801 to Inshegra and turn N off the road to camp.
Accommodation: wild camp
Replenishment point
Follow the five degree west line N as directly as possible towards Cape Wrath. It is possible to reach the Cape directly but perhaps better to break the journey a short distance S of the Cape, at Sithean na h’Iolaireith for example. This allows for an early arrival at the Cape the following morning and a better opportunity to catch the tourist bus down to the Kyle of Durness.
Accommodation: wild camp
Continue along the five degree west line to the Cape and take the tourist bus to Durness. (It would be worth phoning ahead to check times and availability of the bus before leaving Rhiconich)
Tourist Information Office, Durness: 01971 511 259
Minibus: 01971 511 343/511 287
Ferryman: 01971 511 367
Accommodation: Hotels, B&B Durness