Whether you’re gearing up for the full Cape Wrath Trail (CWT) or planning to hike just a section, figuring out how you’re getting to the Cape Wrath Trail – and how to exit – is an important part of the process.
This guide pulls everything together – how to get to the start, how to escape if you need to bail out, and how to get home once you get to Cape Wrath. I’ve also included tips for parking, public transport, and the easiest entry/exit points.
In this guide:
Getting to Fort William
🚗 By Car
Driving to Fort William is an easy option for many hikers. Long-term parking is possible by purchasing a season ticket through the Highland Council, so it’s possible to leave your car for up to a month.
Downside: You will need to organise getting back to your car at the end of the trail – see the section below on travelling from Inverness – Fort william.
🚆 Public Transport
For a town tucked deep into the Highlands, Fort William is surprisingly well connected.
The three most common starting cities for your journey there are:
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Inverness
All have airports, train stations and bus stations.
Tip – If travelling from London you have the option to get to Fort William directly using the Caledonian Sleeper Train.
Glasgow → Fort William
Train:
Direct from Queen Street → Fort William via the West Highland Line.
Book early – it gets pricey, but it’s also one of the most scenic rail journeys in Scotland – a perfect way to start your trip!
Bus:
Citylink: Glasgow → Skye Service: 915 (direct), 976/913 (one change)
Ember: Direct Glasgow → Fort William. The timetable can be found here.
Edinburgh → Fort William
Train
Edinburgh Waverly → Fort William. There are both direct trains and trains requiring a switch in Glasgow Queen Street.
Bus
Citylink: Edinburgh → Fort William: 913 (direct), 978 (one change)
Ember: Direct Edinburgh → Fort William. The timetable can be found here.
Inverness → Fort William
Train
There is no direct rail link – it’s not worth the detour.
Bus
Citylink: Inverness → Fort William: 919 (direct)
Transport to the Start of the Cape Wrath Trail (Knoydart Variant)
There are two ferry options that will take you to the Ardnamurchan Peninsula – where Knoydart variant of the trail begins. If you are going via the Great Glen alternate you can skip this part, as it leaves on foot from Fort William directly.
⛴️ Camusnagaul Ferry
This is the most convenient option, given that it leaves directly from the Fort William Ferry Landing. The ferry leaves 4x per day, Monday – Saturday, with limited Sunday service by arrangement (extra fee). Timetable and other information can be found on the Highland Ferries website.
⛴️ Corran Ferry
An alternative is the Corran Ferry – handy if you want to start on a Sunday. Note that Corran is South of Fort William – the Citylink busses often stop here on the way in and out. The timetable and other information for the ferry can be found on the Highland Council website.
🚆/🚌 Train or Bus to Glenfinnan
Limited on time, or just want to jump straight into the rugged scenery? You have the option of heading straight to Glenfinnan and skipping the roughly 34 km through Cona Glen. Glenfinnan is accessible by a 30 mins train or by bus.
Bail Out Points
Bail out points are important to know – are you section hiking? Are you injured or unwell? Have you had enough? Feeling out of your depth? Has the weather turned? These are all valid reasons for leaving the trail – never put yourself in danger if you are in doubt.
Where public transport links are available these bail out points can also serve as start points for your hike.
Note: If you are too injured or unwell to hike to a bail out point yourself and need assistance, you need to get in touch with Scottish Mountain Rescue. To do so phone 999 and ask for police and then mountain rescue, or hit the SOS button on your GPS device (which I highly recommend having on a trail like this). It’s definitely worth having a look at their mountain safety advice page before your trip.
Section 1: Fort William - Shiel Bridge
Knoydart Variant
Glenfinnan
Train or bus back to Fort William
Inverie
Ferry from Inverie to Mallaig, followed by train or bus back to Fort William
Kinloch Hourn
Road access only – no public transport. Expect to arrange a taxi from Fort William (around £150+) or rely on a very lucky hitch.
Great Glen Variant
A82
You can get the bus from Gairlochy or Clunes back to Fort William. Alternatiely, the bus from Laggan Locks or Invergarry will take you to either Fort William or Inverness
Kinloch Hourn Road
Road access only – no public transport. Expect to arrange a taxi from Fort William (around £150+) or rely on a very lucky hitch.
Cluanie Inn
Bus links to both Inverness and Fort William/Glasgow.
Shiel Bridge
Bus links to both Inverness and Fort William/Glasgow.
No train station, but buses connect to Kyle of Lochalsh where trains run to Inverness.
Section 2: Shiel Bridge - Ullapool
Strathcarron / Achnashellach
Both have stations with multiple direct trains to Inverness per day. See Strathcarron to Inverness and Achnashellach to Inverness for times/tickets.
Kinlochewe
Very limited bus service – Tues/Sat to Inverness, Wed to Dingwall. Once daily. See timetable here.
Dundonnell
Very limited bus service – Mon/Fri to Inverness, Thu to Ullapool. Once daily.
See timetable here.
Ullapool
There is a Citylink bus service to Inverness.
Section 3: Ullapool - Cape Wrath
Very limited access here.
Inchnadamph
809 bus from Rapsons Highland. Runs a few times per day.
Achfary / Rhiconich / Kinlochbervie
Serviced once daily by the 805 Far North bus – latest timetable here. Ideally should be booked in advance, as it can be full during peak season.
Taxi options from Ullapool:
Ullapool does have taxi services from Ullapool Taxis and Ulla Taxis, both of which provide transport to nearby trailheads including Inchnadamph, Kylesku and more.
Escape from the Cape: How to get back from Cape Wrath
🚫 Check Firing Range Closures
You can’t access Cape Wrath when the MOD range is active. Be sure to check for updated firing times here. If it’s closed, you will need to turn around either at Sandwood Bay, or at the boundary fence. From there, you can make your way back to Kinlochbervie.
Cape Wrath Trail Minibus
A seasonal (May-Sept) minibus runs between the passenger ferry near Durness and the lighthouse at Cape Wrath. Their website provides details, including contact numbers/emails for booking. For updates you can also check their Facebook page. It’s popular with tourists, so book ahead if possible. If you want to see/stay at Kervaig Bothy you may also be able to arrange this when booking.
Walking to the Ferry
The walk to the ferry is straight forward in that it follows the same 4×4 tracks that the minibus would take. If you do decide to walk it gives you the perfect opportunity to stop in at Kervaig Bothy, an extremely remote bothy with sea view and sandy beaches – a regret of mine is not visiting here, I just didn’t have time!
The walk is 11 miles / 17.7 km in total to the jetty where the ferry leaves, not including any detour to the bothy.
Ferry to Durness
If you book the minibus, you are guaranteed to get a spot on the ferry as well – if not, you will need to get in touch with the ferry to ensure you can cross. The ferry is weather/tide/military activity dependent so it’s always best to phone ahead. You can find additional information on their website.
Walking to Durness
Many hikers ask whether you can walk directly to Durness – and yes, you can! I will admit, I have not personally done it, but according to maps there are bridges across both the Grudle River and the River Dionard. The walk will involve plenty of pathless terrain though so be prepared. Angela, one of the owners of the Ozone Cafe at Cape Wrath can give advice about the best route to take, as she has done this section multiple times.
Durness to Inverness
There is 1 bus per day that runs from Durness to Inverness. It’s the 805 bus by the Far North Bus service. It leaves from the bus stop near the Spar at 8:05am – you can find the latest timetable here.
I recommend booking, particularly during peak season. It’s unlikely to be full but it is only a minibus and since there is only 1 per day if you miss it you will be stuck for 24hrs.
Final Thoughts
Planning how to get to, from, and around the Cape Wrath Trail can feel complicated, but once you understand the options it becomes much more manageable – a little preparation goes a long way. Save timetables, book ahead where you can, and always leave room for weather delays. With the logistics sorted – or at least a good idea of what your options are – you can put your mind at ease and focus on enjoying the trail. Happy hiking!
