Land's End to John O'Groats

The Plan

AUTO-GENERATED DOCUMENT (do not edit) built Sun Dec 2 23:22:15 GMT 2012 with show_private=0

10 sections, 93 stages, distances total 1197 miles. Average 12.87 miles per stage. Average 11.08 miles per day.

108 days. 15 rest days with 2 multi-day stops. (0 stages with no days allocated.)

Land's End to Minehead

via South West Coast Path

23 stages distances total 249 miles.

Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
Lands End to
Cape Cornwall(St Just)
6
6
1%
  • Take it easy first day to allow for messing about at Land's End.
Cape Cornwall(St Just) to
Zennor
10.5
17
1%
    Zennor to
    Hayle
    (via St. Ives )
    12
    29
    2%
      Hayle to
      Portreath
      13.25
      42
      3%
        Portreath to
        Perranporth
        12
        54
        4%
          Perranporth to
          Newquay
          11.5
          65
          5%
            Newquay to
            Porthcothan Bay
            10.75
            76
            6%
              Porthcothan Bay to
              Padstow/Rock
              13
              89
              7%
              • Ferry from Padstow to Rock runsa all the time from 1st April. More details from harbour: 01841 532239
              Padstow/Rock to
              Port Isaac
              11.75
              101
              8%
              • Ferry from Padstow to Rock doesn't run Sunday . Check details from harbour: 01841 532239
              • Portgaverne right next door to Port Isaac.
              Port Isaac to
              Boscastle Harbour
              (via Tintagel )
              12.5
              113
              9%
                Boscastle Harbour to
                Crackington Haven
                7
                120
                10%
                • Strenuous.
                • Continue to Bude if fit.
                Crackington Haven to
                Bude
                9
                129
                11%
                • Strenuous.
                Bude to
                Hartland Quay
                14
                143
                12%
                • Severe!
                • 10 river valleys to cross!
                • Could split this: B&B at Cornakey Farm 210162, but is only 5 miles from start
                Hartland Quay to
                Clovelly
                10
                153
                13%
                  Clovelly to
                  Westward Ho
                  11
                  164
                  14%
                  • Strenuous
                  Westward Ho to
                  Instow
                  10
                  174
                  15%
                  • Ferry would reduce distance (maybe enough to get to Barnstaple today), but doesn't run until May.
                  Instow to
                  Braunton
                  (via Barnstaple )
                  12
                  186
                  16%
                  • Flat cycle path.
                  Braunton to
                  Croyde
                  10
                  196
                  16%
                    Croyde to
                    Ilfracombe
                    (via Woolacombe )
                    (via Lee Bay )
                    13
                    209
                    17%
                      Ilfracombe to
                      Combe Martin
                      5
                      214
                      18%
                      • Short day
                      Combe Martin to
                      Lynmouth
                      13
                      227
                      19%
                      • Strenuous
                      Lynmouth to
                      Porlock Weir
                      13
                      240
                      20%
                        Porlock Weir to
                        Minehead
                        9
                        249
                        21%
                        • Choice of routes

                        Minehead to Bristol

                        via Watchet, Glastonbury, Monarch's Way

                        5 stages distances total 76 miles.

                        Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                        Minehead to
                        Over Stowey
                        (via Watchett )
                        (via Quantock Hills )
                        16
                        265
                        22%
                        • Use Landranger 181 and Explorer 22 (Quantock Hills)
                        • Flat coast path to Watchet
                        • Some road walking just after Watchet
                        Over Stowey to
                        Westonzoyland
                        (via Spaxton )
                        (via Bridgwater )
                        13
                        278
                        23%
                        • Use Explorer 22 (Quantock Hills)
                        • 10 miles to M5
                        • Apparently footpaths not well kept round here; use lanes.
                        Westonzoyland to
                        Glastonbury
                        (via King's Sedgemoor Drain )
                        (via Street )
                        16
                        294
                        25%
                        • Use Explorer 22 (Quantock Hills) and Explorer 141 (Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West)
                        Glastonbury to
                        Compton Martin
                        (via Wells )
                        (via Monarch's Way )
                        16.75
                        311
                        26%
                        • Use Explorer 141 (Cheddar Gorge & Mendip Hills West) and Landranger 172
                        • 6.25 miles to Wells, mainly on lanes/roads
                        Compton Martin to
                        Bristol
                        (via Winford )
                        (via nr Abbots Leigh )
                        (via Ashton Court )
                        14.5
                        326
                        27%
                        • Leave Monarch's Way at Ashton Court and head for home!

                        Bristol to Stow-on-the-Wold

                        via Monarch's Way (from Wick)

                        5 stages distances total 72 miles.

                        Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                        Bristol to
                        Petty France
                        (via Cycle Track )
                        (via Pucklechurch )
                        (via Chipping Sodbury )
                        16.25
                        342
                        29%
                          Petty France to
                          Tetbury
                          12.5
                          354
                          30%
                            Tetbury to
                            Cirencester
                            14
                            368
                            31%
                              Cirencester to
                              Northleach
                              17
                              385
                              32%
                                Northleach to
                                Stow-on-the-Wold or (better) Lower Swell
                                12
                                397
                                33%

                                  Stow-on-the-Wold to nr. Milford

                                  via Heart of England Way

                                  7 stages distances total 98 miles.

                                  Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                  Stow-on-the-Wold to
                                  Chipping Campden
                                  12
                                  409
                                  34%
                                    Chipping Campden to
                                    Bidford-on-Avon
                                    14
                                    423
                                    35%
                                      Bidford-on-Avon to
                                      Henley-in-Arden
                                      13
                                      436
                                      36%
                                        Henley-in-Arden to
                                        Berkeswell
                                        14
                                        450
                                        38%
                                          Berkeswell to
                                          Kingsbury
                                          15
                                          465
                                          39%
                                            Kingsbury to
                                            Lichfield
                                            14
                                            479
                                            40%
                                              Lichfield to
                                              Abbots Bromley
                                              (via Rugeley )
                                              (via Staffordshire Way )
                                              16
                                              495
                                              41%
                                              • Use Landranger 128
                                              • Leave Heart of England Way at Wandon GR040146, through Rugeley, pick up Staffordshire Way at GR042199

                                              Abbots Bromley to Ashbourne

                                              via Stafforshire Way

                                              2 stages distances total 22 miles.

                                              Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                              Abbots Bromley to
                                              Rocester
                                              (via Uttoxeter )
                                              13
                                              508
                                              42%
                                              • Use Landranger 128
                                              Rocester to
                                              Ashbourne
                                              9
                                              517
                                              43%
                                              • Use Landranger 128

                                              Ashbourne to Jedburgh

                                              via Alternative Pennine Way

                                              20 stages distances total 273 miles.

                                              Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                              Ashbourne to
                                              Youlgreave
                                              17.7
                                              535
                                              45%
                                              • Use Landranger 119
                                              Youlgreave to
                                              Baslow
                                              7.8
                                              543
                                              45%
                                              • Use Landranger 119
                                              Baslow to
                                              Bamford
                                              12
                                              555
                                              46%
                                              • Use Landranger 119 and Landranger 110
                                              • APW book describes route to Moscar, but there's nothing there (unless wild camp at Stanage Edge/Derwent Moors ?) Need to divert to Bamford.
                                              Bamford to
                                              Dunford Bridge
                                              21.5
                                              576
                                              48%
                                              • Book quotes 16.5 miles, but have to add 8km from Bamford to Moscar. Better to stop earlier at Flouch.
                                              • Difficult stage
                                              • Use Landranger 110
                                              Dunford Bridge to
                                              Marsden
                                              13.3
                                              590
                                              49%
                                              • Use Landranger 110
                                              • ...more like 14 to bunkhouse. Difficult stage!
                                              Marsden to
                                              Hebden Bridge
                                              13.7
                                              603
                                              50%
                                              • Use Landranger 110 and Landranger 104 and Landranger 103
                                              • Five river-valley crossings!
                                              Hebden Bridge to
                                              Haworth
                                              7.8
                                              611
                                              51%
                                              • Use Landranger 103 and Landranger 104
                                              • Short day
                                              Haworth to
                                              Ilkley
                                              11.5
                                              623
                                              52%
                                              • Use Landranger 104
                                              Ilkley to
                                              Pateley Bridge
                                              18.6
                                              641
                                              54%
                                              • Use Landranger 104 and Landranger 99
                                              Pateley Bridge to
                                              Carlton-in-Coverdale
                                              16.1
                                              657
                                              55%
                                              • Use Landranger 99
                                              • Not much opportunity for provisions on way
                                              Carlton-in-Coverdale to
                                              Hawes
                                              15
                                              672
                                              56%
                                              • Use Landranger 99 and Landranger 98
                                              Hawes to
                                              Kirkby-Stephen
                                              15.4
                                              688
                                              57%
                                              • Use Landranger 98 and Landranger 91
                                              • Includes best bit of the APW
                                              Kirkby-Stephen to
                                              Appleby-in-Westmorland
                                              10.8
                                              698
                                              58%
                                              • Use Landranger 91
                                              Appleby-in-Westmorland to
                                              Dufton
                                              4.7
                                              703
                                              59%
                                              • Short because of big day tomorrow (or crack on and wild camp)
                                              • Use Landranger 91
                                              Dufton to
                                              Nenthead
                                              17.4
                                              721
                                              60%
                                              • Use Landranger 91 and Landranger 87
                                              • Wild!
                                              • Over highest pt. (755m)
                                              Nenthead to
                                              Allendale Town
                                              11.2
                                              732
                                              61%
                                              • Use Landranger 87
                                              Allendale Town to
                                              Haltwhistle
                                              (via Plankey Mill GR797623 )
                                              10.9
                                              743
                                              62%
                                              • Use Landranger 87
                                              • Campsite at Plankey Mill (a little over halfway)
                                              Haltwhistle to
                                              Falstone
                                              17.4
                                              760
                                              64%
                                              • Use Landranger 87 and Landranger 80
                                              • Bothy at Green (two-thirds)
                                              • Another bothy off-route
                                              Falstone to
                                              Byrness
                                              10.5
                                              771
                                              64%
                                              • Use Landranger 80
                                              Byrness to
                                              Jedburgh
                                              19.3
                                              790
                                              66%
                                              • Use Landranger 80 and Landranger 74
                                              • LONG DAY: camping only possibility

                                              Jedburgh to Edinburgh

                                              via Central Scottish Way

                                              5 stages distances total 68 miles.

                                              Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                              Jedburgh to
                                              Melrose
                                              13.6
                                              803
                                              67%
                                              • Use Landranger 74 and Landranger 73
                                              • Use APW or Central Scottish Way, but APW description is right way.
                                              Melrose to
                                              Lauder
                                              (via Southern Upland Way )
                                              10
                                              813
                                              68%
                                              • Central Scottish Way is Southern Upland Way here
                                              • Use Landranger 73
                                              Lauder to
                                              Gifford or Long Newton
                                              (via Oxton )
                                              (via Carfraemill Hotel )
                                              (via minor road to Tollishill )
                                              (via Windy Law )
                                              (via Crib Law )
                                              (via Longyester )
                                              16
                                              829
                                              69%
                                              • Use Landranger 73 and Landranger 66 and Central Scottish Way book
                                              Gifford or Long Newton to
                                              Cousland
                                              (via East Saltoun )
                                              (via Pencaitland )
                                              (via Ormiston )
                                              13.125
                                              843
                                              70%
                                                Cousland to
                                                Edinburgh
                                                (via Whitecraig )
                                                (via Esk walkway )
                                                (via Innocent Railway )
                                                15.625
                                                858
                                                72%
                                                • Use Landranger 66 and Central Scottish Way book

                                                Edinburgh to Perth

                                                via McCloy Route

                                                4 stages distances total 58 miles.

                                                Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                                Edinburgh to
                                                Inverkeithing
                                                (via Granton Point GR220775 )
                                                (via Cramond Bridge GR179754 (or ferry) )
                                                (via Queensferry )
                                                (via Forth Road Bridge )
                                                18
                                                876
                                                73%
                                                • Use Landranger 66 and Landranger 65
                                                • Could be reduced by River Almond ferry, and not taking all coast path at North Queensferry
                                                • If can get to Aberdour today, then can get to Kinross the following day.
                                                Inverkeithing to
                                                Kelty
                                                (via Fife Coast Path )
                                                (via Aberdour )
                                                (via Fordell )
                                                (via Hill of Beath )
                                                12.5
                                                889
                                                74%
                                                • Use Landranger 65 and Landranger 58
                                                • A lot of road walking
                                                Kelty to
                                                Kinross
                                                (via Loch Leven )
                                                8
                                                897
                                                75%
                                                • Use Landranger 58
                                                Kinross to
                                                Perth
                                                (via Milnathort )
                                                (via Middleton GR124068 )
                                                (via Newhill GR118083 )
                                                (via Temple Hill GR106095 )
                                                (via Glenfarg Reservoir Dam GR098114 )
                                                (via Rossie Ochill GR087130 )
                                                (via Forteviot GR054175 )
                                                (via Aberdalgie GR080202 )
                                                (via Kirkton Hill GR101210 )
                                                19
                                                916
                                                77%
                                                • Use Landranger 58
                                                • A lot of road walking

                                                Perth to Inverness

                                                via McCloy Route

                                                12 stages distances total 128 miles.

                                                Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                                Perth to
                                                Letham
                                                (via West bank of River Tay )
                                                (via Luncarty GR100299 )
                                                (via Newmill GR085322 )
                                                9.5
                                                925
                                                77%
                                                • Use Landranger 58 and Landranger 52
                                                • Alternative route: cycle track from Perth via Almondbank to Letham (same distance)
                                                Letham to
                                                Amulree
                                                (via Little Glenshee GR983342 )
                                                12
                                                937
                                                78%
                                                • Use Landranger 52
                                                • Lots of road walking
                                                • Amulree a bit off route. Or camp in woods
                                                Amulree to
                                                Aberfeldy
                                                (via Glen Cochill )
                                                9
                                                946
                                                79%
                                                • Use Landranger 52
                                                • Use forest tracks to east or military road to west
                                                Aberfeldy to
                                                Pitlochry
                                                (via Strathtay GR905535 )
                                                (via Scottish Rights of Way path over Dunfallandy Hill )
                                                10
                                                956
                                                80%
                                                • Use Landranger 52
                                                • Get ready for wilderness section coming up
                                                Pitlochry to
                                                Blair Atholl
                                                (via Pass of Killiecrankie )
                                                7
                                                963
                                                80%
                                                • Short day, unless just get started into wilderness
                                                • Use Landranger 52 and Landranger 43
                                                • Get ready for wilderness section coming up
                                                Blair Atholl to
                                                Falls of Tarf
                                                (via Glen Tilt )
                                                12.5
                                                976
                                                82%
                                                • Use Landranger 43
                                                Falls of Tarf to
                                                Corrour Bothy
                                                (via White Bridge )
                                                (via Glen Dee )
                                                12.5
                                                988
                                                83%
                                                • Use Landranger 43
                                                Corrour Bothy to
                                                Loch Morlich
                                                (via Lairig Ghru )
                                                (via Chalamain Gap )
                                                10.6
                                                999
                                                83%
                                                • Use Landranger 36
                                                • 835m high pass
                                                Loch Morlich to
                                                Boat of Garten
                                                (via Milton GR145937 )
                                                8.125
                                                1007
                                                84%
                                                • Use Landranger 36
                                                Boat of Garten to
                                                Tomatin
                                                (via Kinveachy Lodge )
                                                (via Military Road )
                                                (via Sluggan GR871219 )
                                                (via Slochd GR845244 )
                                                14
                                                1021
                                                85%
                                                • Use Landranger 36 and Landranger 35
                                                Tomatin to
                                                Middle of Nowhere (GR 700300)
                                                (via Findhorn Bridge GR804278 )
                                                (via Garbole GR757243 )
                                                10
                                                1031
                                                86%
                                                • Use Landranger 35 and Landranger 26
                                                Middle of Nowhere (GR 700300) to
                                                Inverness
                                                (via Milton of Farr )
                                                13.125
                                                1044
                                                87%
                                                • Use Landranger 26
                                                • Long day, camp in middle of nowhere ?

                                                Inverness to John O'Groats

                                                10 stages distances total 153 miles.

                                                Day Route Dist Route Notes / Destination Notes
                                                Inverness to
                                                Dingwall
                                                (via Kessock Bridge )
                                                (via Milton GR578494 )
                                                (via Drynie Park GR563517 )
                                                (via Bishop Kinkell GR545533 )
                                                (via Conon Bridge )
                                                17
                                                1061
                                                89%
                                                • Use Landranger 26
                                                • A lot of road walking
                                                • Possibility of stopping 3-4 miles easlier at Conon Bridge ?
                                                • McCloy book has A-road avoiding option by going to Strathpeffer to join West Route
                                                Dingwall to
                                                Alness
                                                (via Tracks and trails parallel to A9 )
                                                10.625
                                                1072
                                                90%
                                                • Use Landranger 26 and Landranger 21
                                                • Scope for longer variation into hills
                                                Alness to
                                                Garbhairidh Bothy GR575838 (?)
                                                (via Scottish Hill Tracks #308 )
                                                (via Dalnavie GR644736 )
                                                (via Strath Rusdale )
                                                12.5
                                                1084
                                                91%
                                                • Use Landranger 21 and Scottish Hill Tracks #308
                                                • Road walking
                                                • Alternative McCloy route: Alness to Tain 14 miles
                                                Garbhairidh Bothy GR575838 (?) to
                                                Bonar Bridge
                                                (via Scottish Hill Tracks #308 )
                                                (via Garvary GR596863 )
                                                (via Wester Fearn GR629878 )
                                                (via Ardgay )
                                                8.125
                                                1092
                                                91%
                                                • Use Landranger 21 and Scottish Hill Tracks #308
                                                • Scottish Hill Tracks book has more direct, but boggy & hard to find, route avoiding A836
                                                • Alternative McCloy route: Tain to Dornoch 9.375 miles
                                                Bonar Bridge to
                                                Golspie
                                                18.75
                                                1111
                                                93%
                                                • Use Landranger 21
                                                • Alternative McCloy route: Dornoch to Golspie 12.5 miles
                                                • Scope for variation here: need Landranger 16
                                                Golspie to
                                                Lothberg
                                                (via Brora )
                                                10.625
                                                1122
                                                94%
                                                • Use Landranger 17
                                                • Last of the A9
                                                Lothberg to
                                                Kinbrace
                                                (via Kildonan )
                                                16.25
                                                1138
                                                95%
                                                • Use Landranger 17
                                                • Single-lane tracks and road
                                                • 8 more miles to Forsinard (too far)
                                                Kinbrace to
                                                Melvich
                                                (via Forsinard )
                                                (via Trantlemore )
                                                22.5
                                                1160
                                                97%
                                                • Use Landranger 17, Landranger 10, (Landranger 11 for alternative)
                                                • Going to have to camp in the middle of this unless fit (is all flat road)
                                                • Alternative route Scottish Hill Tracks #331 from Forsinain to Altnabreac station 20 miles
                                                Melvich to
                                                Thurso
                                                (via Reay )
                                                (via Shebster )
                                                (via Westfield )
                                                16.25
                                                1177
                                                98%
                                                • Use Landranger 10, Landranger 11
                                                • Main road, then minor roads. Possibility of using coast, but harder.
                                                • Alternative route Scottish Hill Tracks #331 from Altnabreac station to Westerdale, then minor road to Watten(Hotel) 18.75 miles
                                                Thurso to
                                                John O'Groats
                                                (via Mayfield )
                                                (via Loch Heilen )
                                                20
                                                1197
                                                100%
                                                • Alternative route Watten to John O'Groats via minor roads, Lyth 17.5 miles

                                                That's all.