From sea views to Land’s End

Local Walks

With miles of coastline to explore and spectacular views over land and sea, John O’Groats is a great place to stretch your legs. You might even spot some of the local wildlife when you are out and about.

The ‘End to End’ journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats is a formidable challenge for anyone to take on: over 1200 miles by foot or 874 miles by road. Although it is an iconic journey there are a number of other local routes that are worth exploring. From the adventurous Whaligoe steps, which descend 365 steps down a 250 ft. cliff-face, to the Yarrows Archaeology Trail, which features bronze-age cairns.

  • Footpath to Stacks of Duncansby
    A footpath at John O’Groats leads the way to a scenic walk up to Duncansby Head. Along the way you will pass a shell beach called the Ness where you can collect ‘Groatie buckies’ or cowrie shells which have been washed onto the shore. The ‘Groatie Buckie’ is a type of cowrie shell which can be found on the shore between John O’Groats and Duncansby Head. They are used in the making of necklaces by many local crafts people. Legend has it that if you keep a groatie in your purse you will never run out of money. You can also visit the beautiful sandy beach Sannick, where during August and September seals can be seen.
  • Dunnet Head
    Dunnet Head is the most northerly point of the British mainland. You should start your walk at Dwarwick Pier. At Dunnet Head you will find Dunnet Head lighthouse which was built in 1831 and can enjoy lovely views of the Island of Hoy
  • Dunnet Beach
    A lovely sandy beach stretching for around three miles, it takes around two hours to walk. It is a great spot for sea fishing and sea bass can often be caught. The beach can be accessed through the car park of the Seadrift Centre just west of Dunnet village. Situated at the North side of the Dunnet Beach, this is a visitor centre which aims to show you life around Dunnet Bay. Open: Sun-Fri May-June 2pm-5.30pm July-August 10.30am-5.30pm For more information, please contact 01847 851287
  • Dunnet Forest
    Dunnet Forest is situated just past the village of Dunnet on the A836. You should start your walk at Dunnet Forest car park.The forest covers 104 hectares and has various marked and signposted trails.
  • Whaligoe
    365 stone steps lead down a 250ft cliff to Haven, where in the 19th century fishing boats used as a landing. Beside the Haven the Bink was created for landing and curing the catch. Women had to gut the fish and then carry them up the 365 steps in barrels. The Whaligoe steps are not signposted but can be found just off the A99 halfway between Wick and Lybster. They are at the end of a short row of houses, directly opposite a road sign pointing inland to the “Cairn of Get”. These steps are suitable for the reasonably fit.
  • Badbea
    The walk from Badbea to Clearance Village covers 2 km. The starting point of Badbea lies halfway between Berridale and the Ord, it can be accessed by a footpath from a lay-by on the A9 near Ousdale. You will find a monument in memory of the people of Badbea, who were evicted from their homes in Langwell, Ousdale and Berridale during the highland clearances and then set up home there.
  • The John O’ Groats Trail
    The John O’Groats trail is for hardened walkers only. It is a long-distance walking route from Inveness to John O’Groats which is rough and challenging. It covers 235km and should be tackled in 14 stages. For more information, please visit https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/sutherland/caithness.shtml
  • Thurso to Scrabster
    This walk from the town of Thurso to the port and ferry terminal Scrabster takes around an hour and covers 3.5 km. It can be done on its own or completed as part of a longer walk around Holburn Head.
  • Yarrows Archaeology Trail
    If you have an interest in archaeology this walk is for you. Starting at South Yarrows farm, this 3.5km trail is rich in archaeological remains such as bronze-age chambered cairns and an iron-age broch. Be careful, however, as it is usually very wet underfoot.
  • Wick River
    Starting at Wick town centre, this 6 km walk takes you along a constructed path by the river and is a treat for bird-watchers.
  • Lands End to John O'Groats
    Land’s End to John o’ Groats is the traversal of the whole length of the island of Great Britain between two extremities, in the southwest and northeast. Signposts indicate the traditional distance at each end. The straight-line distance from Land’s End to John o’ Groats is 603 miles (970 km) as determined from O.S. Grid References, but such a route passes over a series of stretches of water in the Irish Sea. Google Earth reports a distance of 602.70 miles between the two iconic marker points. There are many ways to go from Land’s End to John o’ Groats. Traditionally considered to be a walk, the route is now traversed in a number of ways, with cycling and multi-modal expeditions being particularly popular in recent years.