Durnes is a remote region located in the far northwest Highlands of Scotland, characterized by its untamed wilderness and dramatic landscapes. The area features a rugged coastline with expansive sandy beaches and impressive undulating sand dunes, alongside majestic peaks and unique geological formations. This diverse terrain provides an ideal setting for several sports like mountain biking, jogging, touring cycling, hiking, and more.
Durnes offers a variety of outdoor activities for those seeking to explore its…
97
Routes
4.4
(210)
Average rating
2114
People visited

189
runners
32.8km
04:42
1,350m
1,350m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
108
runners
13.0km
01:34
340m
340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

52
runners
7.87km
00:49
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
35
runners
8.57km
00:54
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(19)
91
riders
34.6km
03:17
810m
810m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(18)
69
riders
39.7km
03:37
790m
800m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.6
(23)
111
riders
40.8km
03:52
1,000m
1,000m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.1
(7)
59
riders
40.9km
03:26
680m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(15)
79
riders
28.0km
01:51
310m
310m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(10)
57
riders
42.9km
02:54
730m
730m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

34
riders
48.2km
04:16
820m
820m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

28
riders
60.2km
06:05
1,710m
1,710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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4.6
(5)
69
riders
86.3km
05:02
2,030m
2,030m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.3
(6)
38
riders
34.7km
01:49
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
30
riders
47.5km
02:28
840m
840m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
20
riders
42.7km
02:14
740m
740m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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3.9
(7)
48
hikers
10.7km
03:16
330m
330m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(8)
38
hikers
12.6km
03:44
340m
340m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(10)
55
hikers
9.99km
03:09
360m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
13
hikers
10.4km
02:41
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(3)
13
riders
28.9km
02:14
320m
330m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
82.8km
06:07
1,300m
1,300m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
8
riders
35.8km
02:35
570m
570m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
12
riders
29.5km
02:01
410m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Durnes, located in the far northwest Highlands of Scotland, offers a range of outdoor activities. These include Mountain biking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Hiking, Road cycling, and Gravel biking. The region's diverse terrain provides options for various skill levels.
Durnes offers rugged coastlines and mountainous terrain for mountain biking. Popular routes include sections of the Great North Trail towards Cape Wrath and the Cape Wrath Trail to Sandwood Bay. For more options, consult the MTB Trails around Durnes guide.
Yes, Durnes provides numerous hiking opportunities, from coastal paths along sandy beaches to challenging mountain circuits. The region features majestic peaks like Foinaven and Arkle. Detailed trail information is available in the Hiking around Durnes guide.
Durnes is situated along the North Coast 500 route, making it a popular stop for touring cyclists. The region also offers routes for Road cycling and Gravel biking. Explore options in the Cycling around Durnes, Road Cycling Routes around Durnes, and Gravel biking around Durnes guides.
Key natural attractions include Smoo Cave, a large sea and freshwater cave with a 50-foot entrance and an inner waterfall. Cape Wrath, the most northwesterly point of mainland Britain, features the Clo Mor cliffs. The area also boasts Balnakeil Beach with its sand dunes and the geological formations at Sango Bay.
Durnes offers gentle coastal strolls along its expansive sandy beaches, such as Balnakeil Beach, which are suitable for families. Smoo Cave provides an accessible outer chamber for exploration. Many trails can be adapted for varying skill levels, including some running and cycling routes.
Smoo Cave is a unique sea and freshwater cave located near Durnes. It features an impressive 50-foot (15-meter) entrance, one of the largest in Britain. Visitors can explore the outer chamber on foot, and boat tours are available to the inner cave, which contains a spectacular waterfall.
Cape Wrath is the most northwesterly point of mainland Britain, offering expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to the Clo Mor cliffs, which are the highest on mainland Britain. These cliffs support vast seabird colonies, including puffins, razorbills, and guillemots.
Durnes is a recognized destination on komoot, with more than 11,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The available routes have received an average rating of 4.46 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Durnes to help plan outdoor adventures. These include MTB Trails around Durnes, Running Trails around Durnes, Cycling around Durnes, Hiking around Durnes, Road Cycling Routes around Durnes, and Gravel biking around Durnes.
Durnes is rich in wildlife, offering opportunities to spot various species. The coastal areas and cliffs are home to seabirds like puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. Visitors may also observe seals and otters in the marine environment.
Durnes is a key part of the North West Highlands Geopark, an area recognized for its significant geological heritage. The region features diverse formations, including a unique sequence of dolomites known as the 'Durness Limestone'. This highlights the area's importance for geological study and appreciation.

