Some of our Scottish mountain ranges are very remote with very little or no accommodation in the area. These are the wildest places in Britain. They make wonderful trips to explore, carrying everything on your back. Backpacking and Munro paradise!
Backpacking the Remote Highlands
THE FISHERFIELD FOREST MUNROS
An area of 5 Munro summits plus other peaks that are lower and equally spectacular. On this itinerary we walk in from the small village of Poolewe on the NW coast. During this 4-night expedition we aim to climb all the Munros and some Corbetts in the Fisherfield Forest. The walk-in from Poolewe is a superb route on excellent, well constructed paths. More details on request.
Start/finish point: Poolewe, NW Highlands
Good fitness level required carrying camping equipment and food for 4 nights.
Price: £250 per person (based on a minimum of 4 people)
KNOYDART MUNROS
Knoydart is another remote stretch of ‘wilderness’ on a peninsula in the Western Highlands. A clutch of 3 Munros are in this special place. The only habitation is at Inverie, served daily by a small ferry. The ferry leaves from the small fishing town of Mallaig.. The most remote pub in the UK is here at Inverie! There is also a small shop and a café. We have an hour or two here before leaving civilization. The tracks in the glen are generally good and provide easy access, despite the long routes to the foot of the hills. We will have 4 nights to explore Knoydart, climbing the 3 Munro summits.
Start point: Mallaig
Finish point: Mallaig
Good fitness levels, carrying 4 nights camping and food supplies
Price: £250 (based on a minimum of 4 people)
The Cairngorms
The Cairngorms offer some fantastic ground for multi day backpacking treks. The Cairngorms National Park contains the highest ground anywhere in the UK, much of which is remote and many kilometers from a public road. There are many excellent paths and trails that take us deep into wild mountain area and stunning locations away from the crowds.
On offer is just a few of the many options available in the area.
THE LAIRIG GHRU & LAIRIG AN LAOIGH
This famous high-level pass that dissects the Western and Central Cairngorm plateau is a great beginner’s route. It is one of the best-known hill-passes in Scotland. It climbs to an altitude of 835 metres and crosses through the central Cairngorms, one of the wildest areas in the country. The route starts near Aviemore on Speyside and finishes at the Linn of Dee in Deeside. Depending on which start point we use it is approximately 31km in length. We camp near Linn of Dee on Day 1
Day 2 we return to Speyside using the lesser known pass of Lairig an Laoigh. It’s approximately the same length of day, 8-9 hours. This lesser known route dissects the Central and Eastern Cairngorm plateaux. It isn’t quite as dramatic as the Lairig Ghru but it still has a real sense of wildness.
THE CAIRNGORM 4000FT MUNROS
This is a more demanding overnight trek. Climbing all the peaks over 4000ft in the Cairngorms. There are 5 peaks that reach this magical altitude.
Day 1 walk from the Sugar bowl carpark and through the Chalamain Gap into the Lairig Ghru. It’s then a long walk up broad ridges to reach our first Munro and 4000ft mountain, Braeriach. This huge plateau is featureless and one of the wildest places to be. From Braeriach we walk across this high plateau to the next peak, Sgor an Lochain Uaine. Our last peak for today is Cairn Toul. From Cairn Toul we drop down into the Lairig Ghru where we camp for the night. If it is a fine evening, we may camp high up on the slopes of Cairn Toul.
Day 2 we continue our journey by gain Ben Macdui from the Lairig Ghru. It’s a long climb up to the UK’s second highest mountain. Stunning views from the top – especially looking back at yesterday’s peaks. Another high-level walk takes us across to the final summit of Cairn Toul from here we descend easily back to our start point.
OTHER TREKS
There are many other backpacking treks in the Highlands. Please contact us for details or ideas. Other options include:
GLEN CARRON TO TORRIDON
ASSYNT AND CAPE WRATH
These treks are suitable for people with some Summer hillwalking experience and of reasonable fitness levels. You will need to provide your own tent, camping equipment and food. Some of this equipment can be hired. Please enquire for details.
Prices for 2 days walking / 1 overnight camping:
- 1 person: £450
- 2 people: £500
- 3 people: £600
- 4 people (max) £600
