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, our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Hike past iconic lochs, through old Caledonian forests and to the summit of Cairn Gorm, 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 Nethybridge, 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 riverside 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.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
For breakfast, there'll be cereal, bread, tea and coffee. For lunch, you can expect wraps with a variety of fillings, soup, and some home-baked delights. Dinner will consist of three courses, including pâté and oatcakes, followed by a pasta or rice dish and some home-baked snacks for the canoeing section. Snacks and drinks will also be available between meals. 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.
Vegetarian, vegan and most dietary requirements can be catered for – please just request this 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.
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.
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.
What about all the carbon?
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
Your host will supply you with the following kit to carry and use.
For the hiking part of the trip:
- Lightweight tent (20 litres)
- Lightweight sleeping mat (5 litres)
- Cutlery, mug, bowl, plate (2 litres)
- Food (2 litres)
- Stove, plus gas (5 litres)
For the canoeing part of the trip:
- Bigger tent (25 litres)
- Buoyancy aid (i.e. Life Jacket)
- Canoe, paddles, helmet
- 1 X 60 litre river storage barrel
- More food!
- Waterproofs (if requested)
Please let your host know an indication of size for the included waterproof clothing and helmet on your passenger information form. (Sizing is either extra-small, small, medium, large or extra-large; an approximate guess will do.)
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
To pack for the hiking on Days 1 & 2:
- 60 litre hiking rucksack with waistbelt (for kit below, plus the hiking list above)
- A rucksack liner or dry bags, to keep your kit/sleeping bag dry in heavy rain
- Sleeping bag (3-4 seasons, down to 0 degrees Celsius)
- Waterproof, breathable jacket with hood
- Waterproof trousers/overtrousers
- Hiking boots (must be boots, not trainers or trail runners)
- 2 pairs of good quality hiking socks
- 1 set of hiking clothes to wear, quick drying and not cotton/denim
- Spare socks and underwear for Day 2
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sunglasses (ideally with a retainer for canoeing days)
- Sun cream – because it’s always sunny in Scotland! (But seriously, please take some.)
- Midge repellent spray/cream and midge net/hood - YOU WILL NEED THESE!
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, mini toiletries
- Swimsuit and travel towel for a dip in the loch
- Head torch
- Small zip lock bags/dry bags for personal things like phones, wallets
- 2 litres of water carrying capacity in bottle(s) and/or bladder(s)
- A few of your favourite snacks
- Personal medication
To pack separately for canoeing (this will be dropped off to you on Day 2):
- 2 sets of paddling clothes (lightweight, quick drying trousers, socks, base layer top & fleece)
- 1 set of warm evening clothes
- Canoeing shoes/trainers (these will get wet everyday)
- Dry, lightweight trainers for evenings around rugged campsites (no flip flops/sliders please)
- Optional: a pair of neoprene socks would help keep your feet warm when paddling
- Optional: a pair of grippy cycling gloves will protect your hands when paddling
- Shorts, in case it’s sunny
Bear in mind when packing that all your personal kit, including sleeping bag and part of a tent, needs to fit into a 60-litre canoe barrel (about the size of the expedition rucksack you should bring).
Sleeping Bag Hire
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping Bag Hire
… Per Person
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!
I had a wonderful experience on this trip. Our local guide Chris was brilliant, there was amazing camp food (never the same meal twice). All the equipment we were leant was in great condition. The wild camping was great, we had a couple of camp fires and the group got on really well.
This is a physically challenging trip as you have to carry all your gear up a mount and back down. Handling the canoes takes some skill but also some strength during the rapids to negotiate the turns.
Thoroughly recommend this trip,Chris our host was professional on every level and then some,amazing guy. Food was excellent, the camp locations where stunning, glad we got the mountain trek out of the way first was hard going but then that was what I wanted tbh and the canooing on the river was amazing especially when I he sun was shining.Got bit wet on the final part but that was all part of the fun. Feel nourished in everyway from the food to being out in nature this way to the guys I've spent time with and got to know,feel like a different person,many happy memories will stay with me x
This trip is definitely for you if you want to get out of your comfort zone! The hike was full of dramatic scenery but tough at times, carrying a large, heavy rucksack really changes your fitness level I found out! After the hike we canoed down the River Spey, which is beautiful. We were all learning to canoe for the first time and Colin, our guide, gave clear instructions, was patient and really encouraging. I couldn’t fault his skills as a teacher. Colin looked after everyone really well, we had different dietary requirements and he made a huge effort to make sure we all had food we would enjoy.Overall it was fun and challenging and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a physical challenge and to experience the Scottish outdoors 😊
This trip was excellent from start to finish. What a great opportunity to get out into the wilderness and see some of the beauty of Scotland! We saw salmon being caught, an Osprey diving and catching fish and plenty of the local midge! Slightly tougher than I was expecting but you get fed so well that our energy levels remained high!
The trip was quality from start to finish and surpassed my expectations and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it! The trip overall was challenging but was all worth it for the stunning views, experience and company! Colin our guide was fantastic and made the trip what it was, very knowledgeable, friendly and funny ! He also ensured we got the best out of our trip by asking each of the group what they wanted and expected and checked how everyone was throughout which was nice! The food was also great, I suffer from a dairy allergy and at no point did I feel like I was missing out and Colin made every effort to ensure I was catered for!
100% recommend this trip, it is definitely a challenge though! Found tough at times but so rewarding as an experience. Food was amazing, far exceeded my expectation on that front! Hike to summit was incredible and the scenes from the canoe stretch were great. Our guide was funny and knowledgable and ran the trip perfectly.
Great trip, the hiking and kayaking were fantastic and the food from our host Scott was really tasty. Definitely recommend!
LOVED THIS TRIP!! I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves the outdoors and doesn’t mind a challenge. It wasn’t easy but with help from Scott (our trusty guide) you accomplish a great achievement. Everything is well thought out and smoothly done. Scott was not only funny and well knowledgeable about the mountains, he was also a great chef cooking us up some lovely meals with great story’s :)
Would 100% book another trip with these guys and I thank them for a great experience
An extremely fun trip. The tour guides were knowledgeable, fun and I felt safe throughout knowing they would be able to deal with any situations which developed.
Make sure you are well prepared fitness-wise. It was a struggle for those who weren't as prepared - don't leave it to chance! The hiking phase were two long days - be prepared for up to 10 hours walking at least. Summiting the mountain and swimming in a deserted loch made it all worth it though! More arduous but fun nevertheless.
The canoeing phase was more fun but you still needed a relatively good level of fitness to deal with the areas of rapids.
Kit list is correct and well designed but make sure you pack carefully - there is a lot of team kit to go in your bags too so be careful not to take too much.
Final advice - if doing this in summer take the advice on midges and tics seriously! First night camping we were swarmed by midges; the next night everyone got at least one tic! Don't let this put you off - if you bring the right stuff you will deter them and still have fun.
Overall a great experience: Fun; slightly challenging; and great guides.
Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazing views, great team work, delicious food at the end of quite demanding days. Also time to relax, chat and let Scott the guide entertain you with funny stories and interesting facts.
This was a fantastic trip, with the right balance of demanding physical effort, adventure, and laid back enjoyment. The first two days are tougher, as even while the Scottish highlands are not that impressive in terms of height, the terrain is not that easy with a heavy backpack (and those midges can be a force of nature). The canoeing part is physically less demanding but requires continuous concentration, as coming to grips with canoeing and establishing good communication with the partner takes a bit of time. The outcome is very good and balanced mix, which got only better with the attentive care and very good food provided by Scott, our guide, and by a group of like-minded people that rapidly clicked into the same frequency to have fun. I enjoyed every day of the trip and made me look forward to much better adventures. p.s. do pay attention to what they ask you to bring, as you need the right equipment!
Excellent trip. Loved the two different experiences. Hike was fairly tough; but that was the difficulty level. Camping was great dispite the rain. Scott, the guide, was very well qualified, a great leader and charming and a good cook. Could not be bettered
An absolutely excellent trip. Our guide Scott was great: upbeat, friendly, knowledgeable. The food was amazing. In particular, the three course dinners were great. Catered for dietary requirements without issue. Bear in mind that it is quite a challenging trip, but well worth it in my opinion. The wild camping was brilliant. I can't fault anything except the weather! But even that didn't ruin the trip.
What a AMAZING trip. We had so much fun from start to finish. Our guide Scott had infinite knowledge on the area, cooked us delicious food every night. And found us the beautiful spots for us to wild camp. ⛰️🛶
Excellent trip - extremely well organised with an outstanding guide. Getting through "the washing machine" unscathed, upright and pointing in the right direction was a real sense of achievement.
Excellent expedition, the hike was a good challenge and the adventure eases as you switchover to the canoes. The route was quiet and remote with little development along the river, you're likely to see salmon leaping up out of the water too!
This was an absolutely fantastic trip, I had a great time. It definitely matched up to the ‘challenging’ grade given on the website but that’s what what I was looking for. The hike was beautiful; we were very lucky with the weather. The change to canoeing after 2 days of challenging hiking made a welcome change and was generally more relaxed, although the rapids added a fair bit of excitement. An unintended swim in the Spey at one point was all part of the fun!
Well organised, great itinerary
Great challenge. Great adventure. Going from the second highest mountain in the U.K. right down to the coast in just 5 days is pretty amazing and really shows you a wide range of landscapes in Scotland. A refreshing dip in Loch A’an after the first day of hiking really energised us all. The canoeing was brilliant, such a great way to see the country. The guides were amazing, friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful. Would recommend this trip.
Great scenery, good challenging trip and very friendly local guides.
Great trip. Really nice balance between hiking for first day and a half followed by canoeing. We were fortunate with very sunny weather so the opportunity to have a dip in a loch at the end of the first day’s hike was very welcome and a particular highlight. Canoeing down the Spey was beautiful and I enjoyed learning canoeing skills! Colin our guide was great and clearly cared about ensuring everyone was having a good time.
Excellent from start to finish. Colin our guide is a true expert both on the hill hiking and on the river paddling - he really went the extra mile in sharing his knowledge of the local surroundings and in teaching techniques on and off the water to ensure we had a safe and enjoyable expedition. The food was great and very impressive for wild camping - we were certainly well looked after! It was clear that a huge amount of hard work had gone into designing and planning the trip. I would recommend it to anyone who is keen to see some beautiful and dramatic scenery in the UK and meet great people, doing a challenging but very achievable expedition.
This tour was phenomenal!!! The perfect mixture between adventure, challenge and holiday. I couldn't have asked for a better host as well. Collin is both incredibly knowledgeable, but a great chat and even better cook out in the wilderness. If you're on the fence, book it! You won't regret it.
Fantastic trip. Our guide, Colin, was extremely well prepared, friendly and informative; he went out of his way to ensure the trip met everyone’s expectations. The hike at the start had stunning views, and Colin was great at pointing out the native flora and fauna. A highlight included a dip in the Green Loch and incredible secluded camp spot in the forest. The canoeing starts off relaxing, with a few rapids to spice things up along the way and beautiful scenery all along the Spey. Last but not least was the incredible food, which far exceeded expectations, with 3 course gourmet meals every evening. I would definitely recommend this trip to others!
One of the best trips I have taken. It was a privilege to spend time in the stunning Scottish highlands, particularly with a group of like-minded people including our fantastic guide Colin, who is knowledgeable, professional and made the trip great fun. The hiking and canoeing were challenging and highly enjoyable, and the camping spots were stunning. This trip was a complete escape and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do it. Highly recommended.
I had an unexpected dip in the river Spey after my canoeing partner and I managed to crash our canoe. We couldn’t go on without a replacement boat (which was organised seamlessly, arriving the following morning). This meant our group had to camp near the crash site. Luckily we found a magical little woodland complete with the perfect campfire setting, and it turned into a lovely evening toasting marshmallows and gazing at the stars.
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).
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
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.
It is important that you travel as light as you possibly can for the mountain section of this journey, so you should only take true essentials for the first night in your hiking backpack. The rest of your luggage will meet you at the changeover point (from walking to canoeing) late afternoon on Day 2, so you can re-pack for this part of the expedition with fewer weight and space restrictions. You'll have a 60-litre drybag to pack your stuff into, which is ample space. You can leave any spare luggage in your host's vehicle when you get in the canoes and it will meet you once again at Spey Bay on Day 5.
On the morning of day 1, please turn up ready to hike! Boots on, water filled up. Have your extra canoeing kit & spare travelling bags separated from your hiking pack. These will be returned to you on day 2 after the hiking section of the expedition.
Yes; this trip is a participatory expedition. Your host will provide all meals and snacks from the first lunch onwards. During the expedition your host may ask the group to help collect firewood, boil some water for brews and help the guide set up the kitchen or chop vegetables. We believe that small things matter and getting involved around camp will help enrich your experience. This trip gives you a chance to take time out from your usual routine, make bonds and create memories. Mucking in and fostering a team spirit for the expedition is what it's all about, and will create the best atmosphere – and best chance for completing the expedition – with your fellow adventurers.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
We've got your back
Guaranteed to run
All our trips are now guaranteed to run. Once you’ve booked your spot you can immediately make your travel arrangements, no uncertainty, no hanging about (excludes 'request to book' departures). Full details
Flexible payments
Secure your spot with the minimum deposit and pay off the remaining balance in as many instalments as you like, with no interest or fees. Full details
Happiness Guarantee
We’re so confident you’ll have an amazing time we’ll put our money on it. Full details
Full financial protection
To give you complete peace of mind we’re backed by ABTOT, ABTA and ATOL memberships. Full details
Tried & Trusted
We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 900 verified trip reviews averaging 4.8/5.
Connect before you go
You'll be invited to join a WhatsApp group to get to know each other before your big adventure together. Full details
DEPARTURE DATES
Friday • 28th June 2024
to Tuesday • 2nd July 2024
FLASH SALE - Only 3 spots left at 10% off
