Discover Knoydart
Join us for this unique five day journey through Knoydart.
A five day wild camping journey into the heart of Scotland’s last great wilderness.
Your Guides
You will be fully supported and guided through this experience by qualified Mountain Leaders Anna Danby and Lindsay Warrack. They both have a wealth of experience in the mountains and can’t wait to share this amazing landscape with you.
Lindsay’s passion for the Knoydart peninsula was ignited 20 years ago on a trip with mountaineering club friends from Glasgow University, since then she has revisited the area many times on foot, bike and sea kayak. She has gained a love, knowledge and a deep respect for the rugged landscape of this region.
Anna lives locally to the area and has spent many hours moving through these hills. She has been guiding wild camping trips for the past four years. She loves how journeying through the mountains in this way connects you with landscapes and facilitates so many special moments in nature.
The Journey
As much as we love to scale mountain tops we are also passionate about making space to slow down and spend time just ‘being’ in the natural spaces we journey through. This journey will encompass both. There will be opportunity to climb some of Knoydart’s Munros, to explore and take in the wild glens and coastlines and to soak up the views in the quiet of camp.
Starting from Mallaig we will traverse across the rough bounds to the tiny, remote hamlet of Tarbet. From here a private boat charter will take us along Loch Nevis and deep into the heart of Knoydart. From Camusory we’ll head west to reach the famous village of Inverie.
Most days there will be a choice of routes with one group heading high through rugged mountain terrain and the other following low level trails. The evenings will be shared together in camp.
The exact route will depend on the group, weather and conditions but the following gives you an idea of what it might look like.
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Accommodation: wild camp
Meet at Mallaig, head west along Loch Morar to a remote loch side camp.
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Accommodation: wild camp
Sail from Tarbet along Loch Nevis to Camusrory. Spend the afternoon relaxing at camp, climbing the nearby Munros or exploring Glen Carnach.
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Accommodation: wild camp
Head west into the heart of Knoydart. Options for more mountains or a traverse via a high pass.
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Accommodation: bunkhouse
Arrive in Inverie with a comfy bed for the night at the bunkhouse and a celebratory meal in The Old Forge.
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The chance for a last mountain day, coastal explore, or quiet morning before taking the ferry back to Mallaig.
The Five Munro’s
There are five remote and beautiful Munros in the Knoydart area that we could attempt over the course of the 5 day trip, these are; Sgurr na Ciche, Garbh Chioch Mhor, Ladhar Beinn, Luinne Bheinn and Meall Buidhe. If summiting Munros isn’t your thing every day, or even any day, then the lower level glen walks available on this journey are stunning and unique.
Accessibility
Discover Knoydart is designed to be as accessible as possible.
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The journeys are open to all regardless of gender, age and previous experience.
We work hard to create an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can feel at ease and participate on their own terms. We believe that the most valuable experience is one that you feel an active participant within, able to shape your own journey. You will never be made to do anything that you do not resonate with.
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There is no requirement to own camping equipment or have access to a car.
Locations can be reached by public transport and we provide all the technical kit, food, navigational and camp-craft skills. This removes the requirement for you to own expensive equipment and provides a supported environment in which to learn regardless of previous experience. Enabling you to come together with other like minded people to spend three days walking, living, learning and connecting in remote and beautiful Highland settings.
What is provided for you?
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Expert Guidance
Throughout the experience you will benefit from our professional guidance and coaching. Group sizes are kept to a maximum of 1:4 per guide to ensure there is plenty of opportunity to work with everyone.
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Top Quality Equipment
All the technical equipment required for the journey is provided for you. All the equipment is high quality and light weight. All you need to bring is your own personal walking clothing and footwear.
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Logistics & Accommodation
This journey is made extra special by access to a private boat charter. The cost of which as well as the return ferry from Inverie are included in the package. Four nights will be in tents and a final night in the Knoydart bunkhouse.
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Delicious Food
Food and drink to keep your energy and spirits up over the 5 days is provided (The meal on the final night at The Old Forge is not included in the price). We use high quality ingredients and local suppliers to ensure everything we are eating is delicious and healthy.
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A unique experience
Most importantly you get to create a valuable memory that will stay with you and give you skills and confidence to shape your own future adventures.
What to expect
Knoydart is wild and remote country, the ground is rugged and the walking is often challenging. Being away from civilisation for 5 days is an amazing experience but it is also not without its hardships.
As a result this is not a journey for beginners. You should have some previous experience of mountain hiking and wild camping. This might be through your own adventures or having previously been on a wild camping trip with us. If this is not the case then you might find our Highland Wilderness Journeys better suited for you.
There is a lot of flexibility built into the route for this journey and having two guides means we do not all have to do the same each day. Where possible there will be options for a mountain summit route and a lower level one sticking to better paths when available. The following gives you a guideline of what to expect in terms of physical challenge.
Hiking for a few days back to back can take it’s toll on the body. Lindsay will be on hand to offer advice on any niggles and suggest end of day stretching exercises to aid in recovery. Anna and Lindsay are both keen cold water dippers and know the value of this in the recovery process.
Distance: 10 – 15 km per day
Ascent: variable depending on route choice, max 1200m in a day.
Walking Time: up to 10 hours per day at a relaxed pace
Location: Knoydart, meet Mallaig
Terrain: A variety over the 5 days; rough paths, tracks and trails, rocky and uneven ground, pathless hillside, some steep ascents and descents.
Requirements: A good level of mountain fitness and previous experience of mountain hiking on rough ground. You should be able to walk uphill at a steady pace without needing regular stops. You will also need to be able to carry a rucksack weighing approximately 10 – 12kg.
Booking
Click above for full booking details and to reserve your space.