Scottish Winter Wilderness

Guided Scottish winter trekking in Cairngorms National Park. Tundra climate, Caledonian forests with herds of deer, rugged barren hilltops and ancient glacial valleys with tiny bothies… that’s the Cairngorms!

Quick overview

What?

Pickup/dropoff in Edinburgh/Glasgow + all transport in between.

5 Days of trekking in Cairngorms National Park with an experienced and certified guide that will share know-how with you.

2 Nights in Youth Hostels and visits to traditional pubs.

With more than 4500km², Cairngorms National Park is one of Scotland’s most spectacular wilderness areas and without a doubt the “top of the United Kingdom”. Climatologically, the Cairngorms are more similar to Siberian tundra than to the rest of the UK. Caledonian forests with herds of deer, rugged barren hilltops and ancient glacial valleys with tiny bothies… that’s the Cairngorms!

As we go, your guide will share knowledge with you about the landscape and the skills involved in moving through it for days on end. You can sit back and simply enjoy somebody doing the thinking for you, or you can be involved in the thought processes behind it all.

Experience with multiday hiking is an advantage, suitable clothing/equipment is essential. This trip is doable by people with good basic fitness and some perseverance. We move and live as a group an adhere to the principle of “no one left behind”. This trip is not built on a set itinerary, so there’s no need to worry about being able to do it or not. The philosophy here is to spend 5 days and 4 nights out in the winter wilderness and adapt to the group & local conditions to create our own journey. We want to go on an exploration wile using winter camping skills and keeping it enjoyable for everyone. Our canvas is hundreds of square kilometers. Imagine what we can come up with!

When?

February 2 – 8 2020

Date doesn’t work for you? Just contact us!

Departure is guaranteed. To keep the group small enough to ensure a quality experience, we have a maximum number of 12 participants.

Don’t wait too long to sign up! 6 Participants is easily reached and as soon as departure is guaranteed, we’ll let you know so you can still book cheap tickets well before departure! Last minute flights/trains are always more expensive.

What’s Included 

Qualified guide (Minimum 1 per 6 persons)

All leaders are first-aid trained to a higher level than usual Mountain Leader first Aid (so either Wilderness First Responder or Expedition First Aid).

Two nights in hostel + breakfast

All transport from initial pickup until final dropoff

Emergency communications equipment so the leaders can deal with any incidents.

Gas for stoves

Support from the Days on Trails team in the build-up to the adventure.

What’s not Included

Travel to/from Edinburgh or Glasgow

Personal expenses

Food and drink besides the two breakfasts

Personal kit

Individual insurance