John o’ Groats Trail

The walk is also popular with people walking from Lands End to John O Groats and has circa 1400 people per year who walk the length of it, plus many local people utilising the route for shorter day trips.

Stage 1 of the John O Groats trail is mostly on quiet back roads, and winds out of the city of Inverness and across Kessock Bridge, which is high, but has a good pedestrian walkway. It then heads through woodland and towards the end of the day back to quiet roads.

Stage 2 of the trail continues to follow mostly quiet roads, and is well way marked, following a route that crosses the Cromarty Bridge and an off-road / cycle trail when it reaches Alness.

Stage 3 is a combination of forestry tracks and rural roads again, with a substantial section on forestry commission tracks, which can be subject to change depending on if any harvesting is happening. Please consult the JOGT website for any advice on this section before walking.

The fourth section of the trail continues on quiet back roads, and heads past a famous distillery, onto a 1-kilometer long bridge before passing the shore of Loch Fleet and along lanes into Dornoch. A section of this stage is walked on the A9 along the bridge, and we advise care be taken as it’s a busy road, with no barrier.

The fifth section is a mix of path and road walking, with much of the stage marked. The walking is generally level and moves from the sea and inland around Loch Fleet, before crossing a bridge at the head of the loch and going through woodland to Golspie.

The sixth day of the stage is very scenic, as you pass Dunrobin Castle and also walk through some beautiful woodland. It is one of the shorter, and more gentle stages, although there are some fields through which you walk which may contain livestock.

The seventh stage of the trail starts in Brora and follows a path that runs between the golf course and the sea, there is then a section which passes between the railway line and beach, which can be a challenge depending on tides, however it soon passes a nice caravan park and village before traversing old lanes and into Helmsdale. The trail is well waymarked, but long grass can be a challenge in the summer months.

The eighth day becomes more challenging and includes some cliff walking, climbing stiles, steep staircases and open moorland. This day includes spectacular views of the Ord of Caithness Headland.

The ninth day is a shorter section, but with a lot of elevation changes. It mostly covers cliff tops throughout the day, and has some absolutely spectacular scenery.

The tenth stage, from Dunbeath to Lybster is another day, following cliff tops and includes the beautiful harbours of Latheronwheel and Lybster, the abandoned fishing station at Achastle-shore, and the sweeping panorama of Forse Bay with its castle at one end and waterfall at the other.There are some places on the trail where you will need to climb fences or walk through tall summer grass.

The eleventh day on the trail is another cliff top day, with scenery including waterfalls and sea stacks. It covers 11.9 kilometers (7.4 mi) with a lot of travelling up and down Brae heads. Ending at the stunning Whaligoe Steps .

Stage twelve takes you along the cliffs again and through farms and crofts along the coast. This day includes one of the most beautiful sea arches in Britain before passing several other lovely coastal features. After passing the ruins of Old Wick Castle, it finally ends in Wick.

Stage thirteen starts in Wick (the largest town on the trail) and heads for 3km along roads before setting off along cliff tops again. Passing Noss lighthouse and straight through after that the trail takes you past Sinclair Girnigoe Castle, and then Ackergill Tower and onto the beach at Sinclair Bay. There is a river to cross at Wester which you can wade through at most times, but not always, in which case there is a diversion in place. Please take care in this section and use the diversion if you are unsure.

The final stage of the trail is from Keiss, mostly along cliff tops with particularly beautiful walking between Samuel’s Geo and Bucholly Castle, Skirza head and Freswick Bay, before you walk the headland towards the famous Duncansby Stacks and Duncansby Head lighthouse before descending into John o’ Groats.

The best time of year to hike the trail is in the spring and late summer, between May – September. This is when the weather should be most favourable, however due to the region (Far North Scotland) and the coastal aspects of the walk, please be prepared for all weather conditions, like wind and rain, at all times of year.

The weather along the coast in Northern Scotland can be unpredictable, so you’ll want to come prepared. There is also the added dynamic of sea “har” or mist which can make the trail quite wet and some aspects of the walk are through bogs, so you will need good footwear. Please pack for all weather and include essentials like good waterproofs, a map, first aid kit and extra food. The trail can be demanding and there is not always a phone signal, so a paper map, or guidebook is highly recommended.

While much of the trail is on established paths and waymarked, there are sections which traverse cliff tops and include walking in remote places. Therefore those sections are recommended for experienced walkers and those comfortable with heights.