Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland
An epic challenge through 115km of wild mountains and rivers on a self-powered journey through the stunning Cairngorms
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, certified canoeing and hiking guidesWild camping
4 nights wild campingMeals
All your breakfasts, lunches and dinnersTransfers
Transfers from Inverness city centre to the expedition start point, and back againEquipment
All your canoeing, camping and safety equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Hike past iconic lochs, through old Caledonian forests and to the summit of Cairn Gorm (1244m), the legendary mountain at the heart of the UK’s largest National Park
Wild camp in remote, secluded spots in whisky country, sip a wee dram beside the campfire and wild swim in Loch A’an
Descend the River Spey by canoe, tackling the notorious ‘Washing Machine' rapids en route to the finish line at the North Sea
Key Information
Day 1
To the top of the Cairngorms
Hiking
Meet your host and fellow adventurers in Inverness, the bustling capital of the Highlands. Hop in the van and head for the Cairngorms to kickstart the expedition. Your objective today is to reach the 1244m summit of Cairn Gorm mountain itself – the very heart of the largest National Park in the UK. The trail is relatively straightforward for reasonably fit walkers, and no technical scrambling or climbing skills are required (that said, it's a hefty hike so we recommend that you don't carry anything in your pack that is not essential). Reaching the heights of the Cairngorm Plateau, you'll descend the far side then drop down to the remote and beautiful Loch A'an (AKA Loch Avon) for a rest and the chance for a stunning wild swim to cool down from your mountain climbing exertions. Continue hiking eastwards and then north along an undulating trail, circling round the back of the main Cairngorm massif – looking out for a sheltered spot for your first night of wild camping beneath Scottish skies.
Day 2
Abernethy Forest to the River Spey
Hiking
Canoeing
Rise early to grab breakfast, break down camp and continue your push north. Hike out from the mountains, descending the last of the Cairngorm foothills and dropping down into the ancient pines of the Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve. This is one of the biggest remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest that once covered 80% of Scotland and is a real haven for wildlife such as pine martens, wildcats and different species of deer. Gradually descend to the valley floor of Strathspey and on to the lovely little Highland village of Nethy Bridge, where a village shop awaits to replenish supplies before the final 2km to reach the River Spey – where your canoe will be waiting for you. Enjoy a short rest before switching your gear into drybags for the canoe, hitting the water and paddling to your first riverside wild camping spot. Time to kick back with a wee dram and do a spot of stargazing from the fireside.
Day 3
Paddle through whisky country
Canoeing
After your short introduction to the river yesterday, things ramp up today as you begin to get a feel for the River Spey. Your guide will fill you in on the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the Spey Valley as you learn the art of 'reading the river' – navigating the safest channels whilst flanked by the dramatic backdrop of the North East Highlands. This section is easygoing, and the worst that can happen is some wet feet if you don't pick a good line! Having learnt a few skills to help you handle your canoe, later this afternoon you’ll hit the notorious ‘Washing Machine’ section, giving you the opportunity to shoot a Grade 2 rapid if you wish. All part of the fun! Your guides are highly trained to keep you safe, but there is always the option of carrying your canoe around the side if you aren’t feeling up for it. Tonight's wild camp is on an island just 1km further on from the rapids. As you are now right in the heart of whisky country, it may be fitting to sample some of the local nectar around the campfire on your idyllic little island paradise.
Day 4
Ballindalloch to Rothes
Canoeing
Another big day today as you progress downriver through the heart of the famous Speyside whisky region. More fun Grade 1-2 rapids are on the menu as the river picks up speed on its race to the sea. There’s still time to relax on the calmer sections though, and soak up the vast wilderness of the Spey. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and otters, before setting up camp for the night near Craigellachie. Tonight is your final night of the expedition, so enjoy the campfire vibes with another meal prepared by your guides and a drop of Aberlour malt to toast the final stretch of the expedition.
Day 5
Final stretch to the North Sea
Canoeing
Wake up in the wild one last time, ready for the final push – the end of the expedition is in sight. Follow the meandering river and start to smell the sea air as Spey Bay approaches. This beautiful coastal reserve on the north Scottish coast is home to dolphins year-round – with a stroke of luck, they might even be there for your finish line party as you reach Whale & Dolphin Conservation Centre at Spey Bay which marks the end of your summit to sea journey. Celebrate with some refreshments at the cafe here, before your host drives you back to Inverness Airport or central Inverness, depending on your choice.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Central Inverness
08:30 on Day 1
Ends
Central Inverness or Inverness Airport
15:00 on Day 5
Transfers
You’ll meet your host in the car park at the Tesco Metro on Tomnahurich Street in central Inverness at 08:30 on Day 1. You will then be transferred by minibus to the start point of the expedition, in the Cairngorms National Park. We recommend you arrive the night before to ensure you don't miss your transfer. It is also possible for your host to pick you up in Aviemore around 09:30; please request this with them directly after booking if you would like to do this (however please note this option is not available at the end of the trip, and you will be dropped in Inverness).
Your trip will end back in Inverness mid-afternoon. Your host will transfer you either to the town centre or to Inverness Airport depending on your requirements. Please don't book any onward travel before 17:00, in case of bad weather causing a delayed arrival into Inverness.
Travel options
Regular trains run to Inverness from across the UK. The nearest airport is Inverness. Please note if you are flying, you will need to arrive in Inverness the night before in order to make the start time on Day 1. There are buses available to Inverness from the central belt: Citylink and Megabus offer regular services. There is also the option of the Caledonia Sleeper Train.
For those driving, we recommend using the long-stay public car park in central Inverness which is within walking distance of the meeting point.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You'll tuck into fresh, quality, tasty meals throughout the expedition. The food will be a bit more basic for the first night in the hills as you will be carrying everything – but once into your canoes, there will be more variety. For breakfast, there'll be cereal or porridge with various toppings, as well as hot drinks. For lunch, you can expect wraps with a whole host of tasty fillings, fruit and some treats to keep you going. At dinner time you can expect to refuel after an active day with a three-course meal – starters might include Scottish smoked salmon, patés and oatcakes; main courses will include fresh ingredients like fish, meats and vegetables; dessert could be strawberries and clotted cream with shortbread, or cake and custard. Snacks and drinks will also be available between meals.
Vegetarian, vegan and other dietary requirements can be catered for, please just request this in advance on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Wild Camping
You’ll wild camp in twin-share tents, pitched in remote, beautiful spots in the mountains and by the riverside. What's lacking in facilities is made up for in peace, wild nature and star-studded skies.
Upgrades
For solo travellers wanting their own personal space, you can request your own private tent on the trip (subject to availability). Just request this when booking.
This trip has been rated as Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness for this trip – you will be walking for two days with your overnight kit, plus you will need to take a share of the food and camping equipment with you, so you can expect your rucksack to weigh around 12-15kg with water included. You will need to feel comfortable walking with this weight for several hours. No experience is needed for the canoeing, as your host will provide instruction as you go; however, it can be useful to have some previous experience on the water in a canoe or kayak. You must be able to swim a distance of at least 25 metres for safety reasons (although you will, of course, be given a buoyancy aid).
The Scottish summer is usually warm but you can expect some rain, even if it's just a little. Prepare for anything and think ‘layers.’ Conditions in April and May will be slightly cooler, with the potential for frost at night. Kit-wise, the main thing is a warm sleeping bag – bring an additional sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold more.
Epic trip! Fully exceeded our
Epic trip! Fully exceeded our expectations, Scott our tour guide was top notch and delivered some outstanding 3 course meals each evening, I ate better here than I do at home. The scenery was beautiful, camping was great so much fun. All around 10/10! If you're in 2 minds weather to book just book it, you will not be disappointed.
Do it
Lovely four days comprising of a solid hiking leg and three days of canoeing.
The canoeing whilst a little on the challenging side down the River Spey's unforgiving rapids was very manageable thanks to the great support and teachings from our guide Scott. It is fairly challenging to navigate some of the rapids but all doable with a little bit of grit and perseverance. There were bits of the River which were not safe and manoeuvrable so Scott had appropriately walked our canoes down these sections while the group walked through. Safety on the trip from Scott was appropriately a top priority.
The management of the trip was very well executed from Day 1 including an adjusted hike due to bad weather. The team are very knowledgeable of the areas and all the campsites were fantastic spots.
You would think Scott was a Michelin chef with some of the dishes he was creating! Food was delicious and you never went hungry.
All the equipment supplied was excellent and the kit list is a must to follow. Don't forget your midge net.
The scenery was beautiful, and we even caught some seals during our canoe.
All in all, well worth it. Thank you Much Better Adventures.
You will not regret!
Such a brilliant trip, Scott was a brilliant instructor/host/chef/everything! The team were so accommodating and helped my partner not miss the trip when we had an unforeseen, last moment issue come up. Everyone on the trip and from the team was so warm and friendly and food was fabulous. Thank you so much! X
Trip of a Lifetime
A fantastic, unforgetable and inspiring expedition that exceeded all expectations, a truly life changing experience. From the food to the forests, to the river and the rapids an exceptional trip supported by expert guides. In this instance 'scott', was our guide. He was very knowledgeable about the local areas and a great canoe instructor, with his unrivalled patience and encouraging attitude, also he had a great sense of humour and was a pleasure to learn from and spend time with. The food is exceptional, moreso for such a trip, I probably ate a more varied diet than I usually would at home, absolutely superb. The trip itself is quite challenging and it's advisable to have at least a decent level of fittness before pursuing such an expedition, Since this trip I am very keen to pursue the quest of the canoe, some of the best 4 days of my life and for this I'd like to thank all involved!!
An amazing trip with great
An amazing trip with great views, fantastic food and loads of memories made! Would jump back on a trip in a heartbeat!
I recently went on this
I recently went on this trip (august 24) it was physically challenging but the stunning views made every moment worth it. From rugged landscapes to serene waters, the scenery was breathtaking.
Our tour leader, Scott, played a huge role in making this experience unforgettable. His deep knowledge of the local area, offering fascinating insights into the history and wildlife we encountered. Scott was also a fantastic coach when it came to learning how to canoe. His patience and clear instructions made even the toughest parts of the adventure enjoyable.
Considering we were wild camping, the food exceeded all expectations. It was delicious, abundant, and fueled us perfectly for the daily challenges.
Overall, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for an adventure that tests your limits and rewards you with unforgettable memories.
An excellent expedition
Despite the weather the Scottish scenery was splendid from beginning to end with continuous excitement provided by the rapids along the way. Wild camping was great fund. Would recommend though canoeing experience is a must.
The trip was superb. Alternatives were quickly offered following reports of dangerous wind conditions. Outstanding guide and support throughout. Amazing food by our host, Scott, and all the kit was well specified and otherwise provided. The group was amazing, everyone mucked in and the achievement was one I will never forget. I will be booking with MBA again in the future!
Much better adventures did it again! What a great trip, varied, challenging and fun and well supported by the local guide. I would highly recommend this trip through this company.
What a fantastic week! The hiking section was wet and windy for us but still fun to be in the hills swimming and making friends with deer (and ticks!). Loved the canoeing, so relaxing yet a good chance to practice skills negotiating the rapids. Chris was a brilliant guide and we ate like kings and queens- food far exceeded my expectations! We had a super group and lots of laughs. Still daydreaming about campfires, jumping salmon and that haggis and whisky sauce...
Great trip. Take an old school digital camera and leave your phone at home or in your rucksack after the hiking....you won't regret it. Great decompress from the real world.
Can't fault this trip! Our group leader Chris was amazing and very talented as a chef too. So many great memories, thank you!