The Sutherland Trail Info
Following the television programme “Sutherland - The Empty Lands?” I’ve had quite a number of people contact me asking me for more details of the actual route. I should point out that the route is one that I made up myself, following various tracks and footpaths. It is not an “official” trail with signposts etc. Having said that it is fairly easy to follow with one section of off-trail walking (over the shoulder of Canisp) and a little bit of road walking, including one section down to Kylescu which can be relatively busy (for the NW Highlands that is…).
I hope the following is of help to prospective Sutherland Trail hikers…
Maps: OS 1:50,000 Sheet 15 (Loch Assynt); OS 1:50,000 Sheet 9 (Cape Wrath); OS 1:50,000 Sheet 10 (Strath Naver).
Distance: 70-90 miles, depending which hills you climb en route.
Start: Lochinver
Finish: Tongue
Time: 5-8 days
Route: From Lochinver take the road to Glencanisp Lodge then follow the argo track beyond, past Suileag and Suilven, (option to climb Suilven) past Loch na Gainimh and Lochan Fada to Loch a’ Chroisg. Leave the track here and climb in a NNE direction, over the shoulder of Canisp and down to the River Loanan which is followed to Inchnadamph.
From Inchnadaph pass the private hostel and, opposite a footbridge on the river, take a subsidiary stalkers’ path up into Coire Fleodach and over the Bealach na h-Uidhe. Follow the winding path to the Eas a’ Chual Aluinn waterfall then continue downhill to Loch na Gainmhich. Follow the roadside to Kylesku. Cross the bridge, follow the road to Kylestrome then take the estate road through the Reay Estate above Loch an Leathiad Bhuain. Cross the Bealach nam Fiann and descend to Achfart and Lochmore Lodge. Follow the road NW past Achfary and cross the river to a track which runs past the keeper’s house by Loch Stack to the locked bothy at Lone. Continue to Foinaven or head E into Strath Luib na Seilich and over the Bealach na Feithe. Descend to Gobernuisgach Lodge, follow the estate road NE to a distinct bend in the road. From here follow the fisherman’s track N beside the Strathmore Riveer to Dun Dornagill. Follow the minor road N from here to the start of the Moine Path which is then followed to Kinloch Lodge and the remaining miles on the quiet minor road to Tongue with the option of finishing on Ben Loyal.
Hotels: Inchnadamph Hotel: 01571 822202. Friendly staff, basic accommodation, local ales. Popular hotel with fishermen. Kylesku Hotel: 01971 502231. Reasonably priced, friendly staff, fabulous food, local ales, sensational location. Highly recommended. Tongue Hotel: 01847 611206. Excellent local staff, upmarket so slightly more expensive than the other two, fabulous food and wine, not such a good selection of beers. A welcoming, luxurious hotel for the end of a long walk
Transport: There is a railway service to Lairg and from Lairg there is a daily postbus service to Lochinver. Alternatively you can access Lochinver via Tim Dearman Coaches from Inverness. There is also a postbus from Tongue to Lairg, alternatively take a taxi from Tongue to Durness where you can pick up the Tim Dearnan Coach back to Inverness (or Lochinver if you’ve left a car there)
www.timdearmancoaches.co.uk (044[0] 1349 883585
www.traveline.org.uk (0871 200 2233
February 15th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I would suggest that map-reading skills were pretty important - even on a signposted trail. There are one or two areas on the Sutherland Trail where you are off-track, for example when crossing Canisp. In misty weather you would certainly have to navigate.
With regards to accommodation I’m afraid the route does have some hotel/bb eg Inchnadamph, Kylescu and Tongue, but in between you’d have to wild camp. Hope this helps.