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The John o' Groats Trail

The John o' Groats Trail


Postby ranklb » Sun Jun 04, 2017 4:23 pm

Hi!
I'm planning on doing the John o' Groats Trail but I'm not planning on doing it in 14 but in 7-9 days.

The distance doesn't seem to be the issue but the terrain, and i was wondering if it's possible.
So is there someone is this forum who walked it? how was the terrain? Is it possible to walk 30+ km a day in that terrain?

Thanks in advance for any help!
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Re: The John o' Groats Trail

Postby trekker53 » Sun Jun 04, 2017 7:28 pm

Hi ranklb

viewtopic.php?f=25&t=71966

A link to a couple who did this in 9 days recently. Lots of info about current state of trail. The trail is still a work in progress and in a lot of places there's no proper track.
However from Inverness north the walking will be easier and possibly you could manage 20 mile a day.

Take a look at the John O' Groat trail website, the Facebook page and Walkhighlands own walk to gain an idea.

Hope you do manage it.
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Re: The John o' Groats Trail

Postby helenw » Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:48 pm

It should be possible in 9 days, but obviously depends on fitness, weather, river conditions, how much your carrying etc. The detailed descriptions for each stage of the John o'Groats Trail should help with the planning - the times given are pretty generous so if you're a fast walker and you'll have long daylight hours you could extend the stages - Caithness stages are fairly rough underfoot in places but the trail is improving all the time so you'll be spending less time navigating and looking for stiles etc than earlier folk doing the trail. Enjoy it and let us know how you get on.
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Re: The John o' Groats Trail

Postby Jay Wilson » Sun Jun 11, 2017 6:17 pm

Hi,

These are all good answers. I will just add that the best time to walk is April-May, when the grass and bracken is low. Later in the summer the vegetation will slow you up in many places in Caithness.

Also, as an example of speed and fitness, the Dunbeath-Lybster stage consistently takes 4-6 hours in large group walks, where the fastest walkers beat the slowest by 2 hours. At that faster rate, many of the stages could be doubled up for an 8-ish day total. If you tend to be at the front of group walks, this could be you.

But that being said, there's so much to see! Give yourself some extra time if you can, for picnics, wildlife watching, photography, etc.

Happy Trails!
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