The John o’ Groats Trail
is a 147 mile coastal walking route from Inverness to John o’ Groats, traversing shorelines, cliff tops, back lanes and footpaths of the Scottish Highlands.
The route is a work in progress. Some of it is remote, pathless and challenging terrain. Other sections are already popular walks. See stage status pages.
The walk is meant to be used both by long-distance walkers going as far as to or from Land’s End, and local walkers looking for a coastal stroll.
Accommodation, meals and shops are available at the end of most stages of the walk. A bag transfer service is available.
Friends of the Trail
works to build and promote the trail, for which we have been granted charity status.
Work continues to bring the route up to the usual standards for walking trails.
This involves marking a route, putting stiles over barbed wire fences and some stone walls, and building infrastructure such as bridges in a few places. Maintenance and vegetation cutting are also needed. Please get in touch if you would like to help us.
Challenges
If you decide to try this walk, please be aware that it contains some obstacles that a more established trail would not.
Challenges include occasional tall weeds in summertime, a few barbed wire fence crossings, some burn (stream) fording, a few very steep sections, and a bit of boulder scrambling. Clifftop walking required. All of this can add up to danger if not undertaken with care by a fit, experienced walker.
Sometimes there are temporary issues with a particular section of the Trail. In this case you can find updated details at the foot of the appropriate stage page.
If you have any questions or doubts about walking any section of the trail, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Route
Please click on the map above to see more detail, or see the stage pages for detailed maps of each stage.
A Harvey Map and our Draft Guidebook are now available. Please click here for more information.
