John O'Groats Trail
Dunnet Head Lighthouse to Inverness
The John O'Groats trail is spectacular. I began my journey at Dunnet Head Lighthouse and walked inland, joining the official John O'Groats trail at Dunbeath. I would definitely suggest walking the coastal route to John O'Groats and then doing the whole trail as the coastal scenery is outrageous and it's a shame I didn't see those Northern Highland beaches.
From: Dunnet Head Lighthouse
To: Inverness
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Distance: 128.8 miles or 207.28 kilometres
Days: 7
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Day One - Dunnet Head Lighthouse to Mybster
Day Two - Mybster to Dunbeath
Day Three - Dunbeath to Helmsdale
Day Four - Helmsdale to Brora
Day Five - Brora to Dornoch
Day Six - Dornoch to Delny
Day Seven - Delny to Inverness
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Suggested alternate route: Add an extra day to the beginning. Follow Dunnet Head Lighthouse along the costal route to John O'Groats and then follow the entirety of the John O''Groats Track. It will add a couple of miles but this gives you the opportunity to cover a shorter distance over two days, walk off the major road and to truly enjoy the beauty of the north coast.
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Day One
Dunnet Head Lighthouse to Mybster
June 1st 2018
21ªc
296
262
Distance:
19.8m/ 31.88km
13.95km
11.88km
6.03km
Not many spots for water - another reason to take the alternate route (many more towns).
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Forage your heart out when you are away from roads.
Accommodation: Wild Camped at Mybster Farm
next to the A9
(Not a great camping spot; a lot of trucks going past all night and ended up with 17 tics on me)
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Nice bouldering spot about 10 miles on the B976.
Day Two
Mybster to Dunbeath
June 2nd 2018
18ªc
217
271
Distance:
15.7m/ 25.26km
10.26km
9.54km
5.40km
Plenty of water spots. Nice countryside, a few intense hills. A lot of road.
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Lots of fresh nettles
Accommodation: Inver Caravan Park
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The best bathrooms for checking yourself for tics, a super big well pressured shower head and free washing machine. Seriously felt like a safe place after feeling so dirty.
Day Three
Dunbeath to Helmsdale
June 3rd 2018
20ªc
461
503
Distance:
15.21m/ 24.48km
10.26km
9.54km
5.40km
Joining the John O'Groats track - expect cliff faces, jumping fences and excellent views. By far and away the most exciting day of walking.
Plenty of spots to jump off the track and get water. But come prepared because you won't want to.
Accommodation: Wild Camped on the town river front.
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Excellent spot for wild camping. fresh water, public toilets, fishing spot, supermarket, cafes, pubs, beach front views and friendly townspeople.
Day Four
Helmsdale to Brora
June 4th 2018
17ªc
201
194
Distance:
11.79m/ 18.97km
7.56km
7.47km
5.87km
When the trail directs you up to the A9; head down and follow the beach instead. Its a much nicer walk and the people in the caravan park halfway are really friendly and welcoming to walkers.
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Forage spots everywhere.
Accommodation: Wild Camped on the beach near the Brora golf course.
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Good spot - very comfortable. The golf course is excellent and you get some nice views. Plus the sound and smell of the beach will lull you to sleep.
Day Five
Brora to Dornoch
June 5th 2018
21ªc
346
349
Distance:
22.19m/ 35.71km
15.39km
13.77km
6.48km
Plenty of water. Little Ferry although annoying to get lost in was an awesome beach to follow with a random tree swing on the beach in the middle of nowhere. Excellent place to fish and the area between Golspie and Little Ferry was a favourite.
Accommodation: Wild Camped near the river in Dornoch.
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OK spot the ground was a bit hard but there was plenty of spots available. I was just tired and lazy and plonked myself near drinkable water. Dornoch or Embo are beautiful towns worth visiting.
Day Six
Dornoch to Tain
June 6th 2018
21ªc
222
213
Distance:
16.76m/ 26.98km
10.71km
8.46km
7.74km
Plenty of water and quite a few more beautiful towns. I really liked Tain in particular.
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Some nice farm walking. Kept walking off the trail today and ending back on the road.
Accommodation: Delny Glamping Pod
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Excellent accommodation and service. Claire was a brilliant host and the house is amazing. Plus who can go wrong with a pizza and garlic bread, also 5 cups of tea. I was so spoilt and her family really welcomed me in.
Day Seven
Tain to Inverness
June 7th 2018
21ªc
400
585
Distance:
26.6m/ 42.84km
17.10km
14.94km
10.80km
You can tell your coming into more populated land with a few stills and gates (no more jumping fences). This land is so breathtaking i'm sad for it to end but today was a long one and i'll be glad for a bed.
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You have finished the John O'Groats Trail. Good Job!