Using the famous North Coast 500 driving route as a loose template, we will spend a week hiking and exploring the wild and rugged beauty of the North-West coasts and mountains of Scotland.

With an abundance of wildlife, both in the sea and on land, and unique mountain landscapes this trip promises to be one never to forget!

Whilst the specific itinerary won’t be known until closer to the date (weather! tsk!), please be assured that this week will involve hiking, scrambling, and wild camping whilst having the comfort and warmth of hotel/bunkhouse/hostel accommodation throughout the entire week!

Reserve your place now with a £450 deposit and we’ll be in contact with final payment arrangements (instalments available).

Itinerary

  • Optional: Meet outside Euston/Birmingham New Street/Crewe train station and board The Caledonian Sleeper train for an overnight journey to Inverness (bed in a twin-share, single-sex room)

This itinerary is subject to change based on weather conditions. We strive to get the most out of every day based on the weather that we are presented with.

  • You will be met by your guide in Inverness (train station or airport) at 10am and transferred across the country to the rugged west coast

Distance: 5 km
Ascent/Descent: 500m
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

  • You will stretch your legs on the incredible hill of Stac Pollaidh (612m) before checking in to your accommodation for the next couple of nights.

Distance: 18 km
Ascent/Descent: 1,100m
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours

  • After an early breakfast you will head out to climb your first Munros (Scottish mountains) on this incredible journey. Starting in Inchnadamph this will be a long day as you hike up the valley and to the summits of Conival (987m) and Ben More (998m).
  • You will return to your accommodation for a well earned dinner (and maybe a wee dram of whisky?) before heading to bed.

Distance: 5-8 km
Ascent/Descent: 150m
Hiking Time: 2-4 hours

  • A lazy morning after the previous tough day, you will check out of the accommodation and take the scenic drive north to the wonderful port of Lochinver. You will pack your expedition bag and head out on a 2-day/1-night wild camp adventure towards the iconic mountain of Suilven (if the weather allows, maybe you’ll camp on the summit!?)

Distance: 14-16 km
Ascent/Descent: 850m
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

  • Packing away the tent you will continue on your circuit over/off Suilven (731m) towards the coast and back to Lochinver for showers and dinner.

  • This will be a rest day as you meander north through the stunning, windy roads of Sutherland. You will take regular breaks to stretch the legs and to take plenty of photos.
  • Stopping at mountain passes and beaches of pristine white sands, this may be a rest day for your body, but it’s a sensory overload for your mind!

Distance: 8 km
Ascent/Descent: 950m
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

  • Donning your hiking boots yet again, you will hike your third munro of the trip. Ben Hope (927m) is the most northerly munro in Scotland and, on a clear day, has views of the entire north coast!
  • At the end of the day you will check in to your accommodation set on the far north coast, where the river meet the sea.

Distance: 14 km
Ascent/Descent: 800m
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

  • An early start will see you head slightly inland to “The Queen of Scottish Mountains”: Ben Loyal (764m). Rising in an isolated position above the north coast, the long ridge offers superb views of bog, moor, mountains and sea.
  • At the end of the day you will relocate to (relative) civilisation of Thurso, where you will base yourself for the final two nights on this wonderful journey.

  • This is another rest day after two big days of walking. You will be driven along the north coast to John O’Groats, the most north-easterly point on the British mainland.
  • You will explore the coves and beaches in the area (and, of course, get a photo of that iconic sign) before returning to Thurso for the final night.

Distance: 15 km
Ascent/Descent: 950m
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

  • You will check out of the accommodation before heading south back to Inverness. Of course you will stop en route to hike one last mountain!
  • The forth and final Munro on this trip will be Ben Klibreck (962m). This vast rolling mountain is the perfect finale to the week-long adventure.
  • After the hike you will be transported back to Inverness for drop-off at either train station or airport (expect to arrive at Inverness for approximately 6pm)
  • Optional: Board The Caledonian Sleeper train at 7pm for a relaxing journey to London/Birmingham/Crewe. The train is scheduled to arrive at London Euston around 8am on Monday

8-nights accommodation – a mixture of hotels/B&B’s/hostels, bunkhouses and camping (tents, warm sleeping bags and sleeping mats provided for the camping sections of the trip)
6-7 days guided hikes/scrambles by an highly experienced and qualified guide
All transport and logistical support from Inverness
Food when wild camping
Use of camp stoves and water filters when camping
Optional: Return Travel on The Caledonian Sleeper Train between London/Birmingham/Crewe and Inverness

All food, unless wild camping
Your personal hiking kit
Your personal travel insurance
Travel between home and Inverness (unless that option is chosen)

Note:  The weather and ground conditions will not be known until closer to the date and full winter conditions, whilst expected at this time of year, cannot be guaranteed.  The trip will go ahead regardless of conditions (The only exception being if the prevailing weather is too dangerous e.g. Thunderstorms)

Clicking the ‘Add To Cart’ button is taken as confirmation that you have read and understood the Participation Statement.

Trip Highlights

  • Mountains! – Of course there will be mountains that we will hike, including the iconic Suilven in Assynt and Ben Hope (the most northerly Munro in Scotland!)
  • Adventure! – 1 day will be allocated to easy scrambling; we will reach the summit of Stac Pollaidh for views of what to expect over the coming days.
  • Wild Camping! – If the weather is right, we can also spend a couple of days on an adventure in the wilderness, getting away from all that the civilised world offers to sleep under the stars in this designated dark sky area of the UK.

Our Hike Grading System

A simple 1–5 difficulty rating, built on real feedback from asking over 1,000 participants who’ve joined more than one City Mountaineering trip.

This grading system gives you an honest idea of how each trip feels — physically, technically, and mentally — based on the experiences of people who’ve actually done it.