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 expert, local, 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 lovely cafe here, and if you're lucky, you may spot some of the 200 bottlenose dolphins that are resident in the Moray Firth from the beach. Your host will then drive 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. On most trips (for the canoeing section), your host will provide a portable camping toilet for use at each of the wild camping spots. Small and packable, this camping toilet allows waste to be packed-out and disposed of properly when facilities are available.
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
An epic adventure! This trip has been rated as challenging as you will be walking for six to eight hours on uneven terrain on two back to back days, followed by three days paddling the River Spey. For safety reasons, to join this trip, you must be able to swim a distance of at least 25 metres (although you will be given a buoyancy aid). The weather conditions can be variable in the Scottish Highlands which adds another challenge to the experience. This is a participatory camping trip, so you'll need to muck in with putting up and breaking down camp throughout the trip. The hiking in the Cairngorms is generally on good, but rocky and sometimes steep paths. The hiking days are long (the first one with a lot of ascent) and coupled with a full rucksack, this amounts to a decent challenge. No experience is needed for the canoeing section, as your guide will provide instruction as you go; however, it can be useful to have some previous experience on the water in a canoe or kayak. Most of the River Spey is fairly gentle, with some small ripples and waves, however there is the fun opportunity to tackle the famous Grade 2 ‘washing machine’ rapid on Day 3. To enjoy this trip fully, you should have hiking experience, a good level of fitness and stamina, and be prepared for wilderness camping.
The best way to prepare for this trip is to get out walking in the hills at home and try to mimic the daily distance and elevations you will encounter. We’d recommend trying to get in at least a couple of back to back days over weekends in the build up to the trip. This will also provide a chance to test out kit, footwear and all important snack choices! General cardio, and flexibility programs can also help build your fitness and preparedness and building some arm strength beforehand can help with the canoeing. It’s best to begin preparations at least eight to twelve weeks prior to your trip, as the fitter and more prepared you are, the more you will enjoy this trip.
What will I need to carry?
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. A lighter pack will be more enjoyable, but also don't skip the essentials and risk getting caught out in bad weather. It's a good idea to take your backpack on your preparation hikes before the trip so you are comfortable with the gear you plan to bring on the trek and the amount you are carrying.
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.
Fantastic trip with encounters with wildlife!
I had a fantastic holiday with a great group of people. From encountering a feisty capercaillie to rescuing red squirrels from the River Spey, there wasn’t a dull moment. I didn’t know what a capercaillie was before this trip, I do now! Both our guides Jack and Andy were brilliant. I learnt a lot about nature from Andy and Jack was an excellent guide on the Spey. His instructions how to get down the rapids safely was invaluable. Also thank you to Jack for all the delicious food.
I will remember the evenings sitting around the campfire while sitting at the desk in the office.
Another fantastic trip.. with some
Another fantastic trip.. with some absolutely comical moments with a great bunch of people.. Thanks to both jack and andy for there tutelage and thank you jack for the awesome food.
Perfect mixture of hike and canoeing
Great combo of challenging days and relaxing evening camping (secret spots!) with excellent food and campfire. Canoeing on Spey is hard enough (for beginners) and rapids are frequent so it's never boring.
Thanks to our guides Jack and Andy for this wonderful trip.
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!