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The North Highlands Coast to Coast walk - details - Day 4

General

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Start todays walk from where you finished on day 3 at Oykel Bridge. Today is the longest of the four days at something like 19 miles. If you are using B&B accommodation, there is no choice but complete the walk, as you won't pass any roads on the way, and there is no escape route. Make sure you are fit enough for a 19 mile walk through wild and remote terrain, start early, and take proper equipment like a survival bag, first aid kit, and a torch in case you run out of daylight. If backpacking, the bothy at Knockdamph will nicely break this into two roughly equal days. Note the warning about the major ford to be crossed, and avoid in times of heavy rainfall.

Warnings heeded, you start the walk by retracing the last part of yesterdays walk back to Amat at NH390909. Your target is now Duag Bridge at NH340975 There are many paths and tracks to get there, and you need to follow your progress on the map carefully to avoid taking a wrong turn. Once at Duag Bridge there are once more two choices.

The most direct and easiest path heads generally westwards from Duag Bridge into (eventually) Glen Achail passing Loch an Daimh. However you must ford the river at NH319977. This crossing is not possible when the river is high, so the alternative route must be used. Do not attempt the crossing unless you are sure it is safe. If your crossing is successful, you continue now trending southwest and past Loch an Daimh into Glen Achail. Backpackers have the option of spending a night in Knockdamph bothy, just before the loch. Breaking this section into two days will give more opportunity for high level detours on the way.

The alternative route, which is more strenuous but also offers an excursion for backpackers is reached by heading south from Duag Bridge into Strath Mulzie. At NH299926 take the right hand fork then again at NH284922 continue straight on following a footpath that takes you through a valley following the Allt nan Caorach. Follow this path past the head of Loch an Daimh to rejoin the main path at NH 261938.

Backpackers following the alternative route might want to leave the main path at NH299926 and head roughly south to the Choiremor bothy next to Loch Choire Mhor. This remote bothy stands at the foot of the northern face of an impressive group of mountains including the Munro summit of Seana Braigh, one of the most remote munro's. If you have provisions and time, you might want to spend a whole day here climbing this range and a second night in the bothy before continuing the walk. When finished, retrace your path back to NH299926

Whichever route you took, you now continue into Glen Achall. You simply follow this all the way now, passing Loch Achall. The path brings you down to the road about 1/2 mile north of Ullapool. Follow the road South into Ullapool, and dip your boots in the salt water of Loch Broom. Phone your transport to tell them you have arrived, then go and have a pint. Regrettably, unlike the English C2C, there are no free drinks.