Smoo Cave and the Durness cliffs
A huge sea cave with a waterfall inside it, and the limestone cliffs of the north coast.
- Distance
- 1.6 km
- Ascent
- 80 m
- Time
- 0.5 h
- Grade
- Easy
- Route
- Out and back
- High point
- 26 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Smoo Cave and the Durness cliffs is an easy 1.6 km out-and-back walk with 80 m of ascent, taking about 0.5 hours. It starts at Smoo Cave car park (grid reference NC 418 671).
Smoo Cave is the biggest sea-cave entrance in Britain, 15 m high at the mouth, with a burn dropping 20 m through a hole in its roof into a second chamber behind. Steps lead down from the road to the cave, and a path follows the clifftops east from the inlet with the whole north coast in view. The village of Durness is a mile west.
Route
-
1
The cave
Walk down to the cave and into the first chamber.
-
2
The cliffs
Follow the clifftop path east to the headland and return.
Summit
Questions about this walk
- How long does Smoo Cave and the Durness cliffs take?
- Most walkers take 0.5–0.5 hours for the 1.6 km route, which has 80 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Smoo Cave car park (grid reference NC 418 671). Car park on the A838 above the cave.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Buses to Durness from Lairg and Inverness are limited. Check times on Traveline Scotland.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded easy. Steps to the cave; clifftop grass paths.
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Keep well back from the cliff edge, and keep dogs on a lead.
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