Rhiconich to Sandwood Bay

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This short linking stretch of the Trail follows minor roads of the most part; the route as described bypasses Kinlochbervie but this village is an alternative option for an overnight stop. The final stretch of the walk follows a track and then an excellent path to the stunning beach at Sandwood Bay. It is assumed that you plan to wild-camp here (no facilities - leave no trace) - or alternatively continue to Strathchailleach bothy.

Terrain

Tarmac road for the most part; section beside loch and final stretch to Sandwood Bay on tracks and paths.

Public Transport

Rhiconich has an infrequent bus link to Inverness and Durness. No road access to Sandwood Bay.

Start

Rhiconich hotel. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

From Rhiconich, head briefly along the A838 towards Durness, passing the police station and public toilets before taking the first left, the B801 signed for Kinlochbervie. The route now follows this road for several kilometres, with good views over Loch Inchard.

Stage 2

The road leads past a picnic site on Achiesgill Bay, and passes scattered houses as well as the humorously named 'London Stores' shop. The little settlements have individual names - Achriesgill, Inshegra and Badcall. As the route descends towards Loch Innis na Ba Buidhe you can turn right along Manse Road (to avoid more roadwalking).

Stage 3

Keep right at the fork; the left branch leads to the large new school building. The road ends at the church. Go through the gate into the churchyard and pass to the right of the building; leave through another gate at the far right corner. This gives access to a grassy track that slopes downhill to the left, soon passing through another gate into open croft land. Loch Innis na Ba Buidhe - locally known simply as Loch Innes - is on the left.

Stage 4

The path crosses an improvised footbridge and then a second bridge. Head to the left of the sheep pens and then bear right, soon going through another gate. The track now continues close to the shore, with good views back towards Kinlochbervie. Follow the track round the head of the loch; it eventually leads up to the Oldshoremore road.

Stage 5

Turn right along the road. This passes through the township (the local name for a crofting hamlet) of Oldshoremore (the superb beach of Oldshoremore Bay) is a short detour to the left). Continue to the next township - Blairmore. Here there is a good sized car park with public toilets, used by visitors walking to Sandwood Bay. Turn right immediately BEFORE reaching this car park onto a track, passing through a gate.

Stage 6

Pass Loch Aisir and continue following the track as it undulates over peat moorland. The land here is owned and managed by the John Muir Trust, a conservation charity, which has owned it since 1993 and aims to preserve the wild beauty and bio-diversity at the same time as maintaining a viable crofting community here. All the land crossed on this walk is crofted and dogs should be kept under very strict control so as not to disturb livestock and ground nesting birds. Cross the outflow of Loch na Gainimh and continue along the track, using a path on the left to shortcut a corner. The track is then rejoined to Loch a Mhuilinn, where another outflow is crossed; stepping stones help keep feet dry in good conditions..

Stage 7

The track now becomes a smaller path and after a rise, the cliffs on the coastline north to Cape Wrath come into view. Pass through two old wooden gateposts for the final section of wider path. Sandwood Loch, a large freshwater loch, now comes into view, with the ruins of a house on the right. Local folklore states that the ghost of a shipwrecked mariner used to knock at the window of the house on stormy nights. After passing the ruin the path bears left slightly to head through the dunes to the beach itself.

Stage 8

Sandwood Bay is stunningly beautiful and has become a popular place to wild-camp - there are no facilities, but there is plenty of space behind the dunes. Please leave no trace. If a bothy is preferred then you can instead continue along the next stage to the Strathchailleach river and then follow this upstream to Strathchailleach - an open bothy maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association; if visiting please help by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and always follow the bothy code when visiting. Those looking for serviced accommodation should instead break the stage back at Kinlochbervie from where it is possible to walk to Cape Wrath in a day.

Next stage: Sandwood Bay to Cape Wrath

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Rhiconich to Sandwood Bay

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