John o'Groats Trail: Berriedale to Dunbeath

Summary

The ninth stage of the John o' Groats Trail is a rough coastal clifftop walk along the Caithness coastline. There is a fine coastal arch, a waterfall falling into the sea and an impressive rock stack along the way.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Clifftop walking on faint paths, can be overgrown in summer, some boggy sections.

Getting there

Start

Cottages on south side of river at Berriedale (no road access - nearest parking near post office or at layby on bend on A9).

Public Transport

Bus service along the A9.

Start Grid Ref

ND120224

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Services

River Bothy Cafe at on A9 at Berriedale, Halfway House Hostel 1.75km north of Berriedale just off the trail, small shop/PO on route on way into Dunbeath and seasonal kiosk at Dunbeath harbour, well stocked Spar, Bay Restaurant, B&B in Dunbeath and campsite in nearby Inver on A9.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.25km / 6.25 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 510m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

This stage starts from the cottages on the south side of the river at Berriedale (reachable from the A9 along a private road). Cross the suspension footbridge and head towards the cottages on the far side. After the first house turn left between the properties onto a grassy path which then becomes a rough track heading uphill towards the embankment of the A9. Before reaching the road turn right up some wooden steps and keep uphill to the right of the embankment, then passing between gorse on your right and planted trees on your left. At the top of the slope go through a pedestrian gate and then bear right. The walk continues along the inside of the clifftop fenceline.

Stage 2

Continue for some distance on the inside of a large field. Finally the route cuts slightly left to cross a stile. It then continues as the clifftop fence is dilapidated for a time. When a good fence is reached again at a corner, cross a stile and head towards a wooden lookout hide. The walk crosses back to the outside of the fence at another stile before passing below the hide and cutting inland slightly at a burn to cross a small footbridge. Continue on a path across a grassy area and through a gap into the trees. It then emerges through a gate, back on the inside of the clifftop fences.

Stage 3

Continue on the inside of the fence until a plantation of straggly Sitka spruces is reached. Here you head downhill, crossing a stile and passing round the trees on the seaward side. Beyond the route leads to a stile and continues on the inside of the fence once more. There are several more stiles as the route continues inside the fields. After reaching an inlet a stile takes you to the outside of a large drystone wall. Soon there are views towards a fine waterfall some distance further along the coastline, and a small arch much closer at the foot of the cliffs.

Stage 4

There are beautiful wildflowers on this section in spring, but by high summer it can be overgrown. After a pedestrian gate the route bears slightly left across tussocky ground - there are marker posts - before making a careful diagonal descent to the right into a ravine to reach down to the burn, where a footbridge is unexpectedly revealed at the last moment.

Stage 5

Cross the bridge and head up the steep grassy slope beyond, zig-zagging and following marker posts. Keep to the right of a stone wall at the top, back above the clifftops. Soon there is a view to the headland of An Dun, which is almost split from the mainland by a steep slit-like arch. Keep to the seaward side of the wall, passing through a gate in a fence which cuts right towards the sea. This is another area full of wild flowers in spring but a little overgrown in summer.

Stage 6

There are views down to a fine sea stack known as The Clett. It is possible to keep to the seaward side of the wall and fences but the space here is narrow in places and the steep drops mean you may prefer to use the inland side for a time. Please stay on the seaward side whenever possible to avoid damaging fences and walls and to wear a better trail outside. One wall heading out to sea from a junction of walls can be passed by means of a sheep-creep or the remains of a stone stile adjacent. When a fence cuts right from the walls cross the gate to continue to the right of a stone wall. Soon there are great views looking back along the coast to both The Clett and An Dun.

Stage 7

Keep to the seaward side of the walls, crossing a small footbridge at one point, until a pedestrian gate and large JoGT arrow where you turn inland and uphill keeping the stone wall on your left. Half way along the wall turn right at another sign and aim diagonally right across the field towards the conifer plantation. Climb the stile and head through young trees and then follow the clear path through the plantation.

Stage 8

Cross a footbridge as the path runs parallel to the A9 in the trees and emerges at the driveway to Dunbeath Mains at a stone stile. Go straight across this driveway over the next stile and turn left through a gate to continue along the edge of the trees. Eventually the path leads through a gap in a stone wall; turn left beyond and meet an section of old road - turn right along this. This soon becomes a more maintained tarmac lane, continue past the wooden gates and then houses. Keep ahead to reach the top end of Dunbeath village with the post office/shop on your right.

Stage 9

Keep straight ahead at a junction with the war memorial and continue down the road passing the church and Dunbeath Heritage Museum. Eventually the main road turns sharp left and a narrow road goes off right - ignore both of these, instead taking a footpath straight ahead. This leads past a bench seat and soon gives great views down to Dunbeath harbour. Follow the path down the hill and then down steps. Turn left at the track and cross a footbridge over the burn and turn right to reach Dunbeath harbour, the end of the stage.

Next stage: Dunbeath to Lybster

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