The far north of Scotland offers a kind of running you won’t find anywhere else — wild cliff paths, rolling moorland, quiet forestry trails, and long coastal stretches shaped by wind and weather. From the cabins at Beyond North, you’re surrounded by routes that feel raw, spacious and deeply grounding.
Whether you’re here for an easy sunrise jog on the beach or a hard, technical fell run across exposed headlands, this coast has miles of terrain waiting under your feet.
Below is a guide to the best trail, cliff and fell running experiences within reach of Haar and Drift.
1. Sunrise Running on Dunnet Bay Beach
A two-mile stretch of pale sand runs the length of Dunnet Bay, offering one of the purest running lines in the Highlands.
Perfect for:
- Easy morning miles
- Barefoot cooldowns
- Stride sessions at low tide
- Sunset or storm-chasing runs
On still days, the sand feels firm and fast. On windy days, the Atlantic becomes your training partner.
This is the closest and most accessible “long run” terrain from the cabins — peaceful, open, and endlessly repeatable.
2. Cliff Running at Dunnet Head — Wild, Exposed, Unforgettable
For runners who crave exposure and elevation, Dunnet Head is the crown jewel.
Clifftop paths loop around the headland, weaving through grass, rock, and open moor with huge views over the Pentland Firth.
Expect:
- Short, sharp climbs
- Technical singletrack sections
- Wild wind conditions
- Sea cliffs dropping dramatically below
A full loop from the lighthouse makes the perfect 5–8 km session. Extend it further by linking into the inland paths that cut across the moor.
This is authentic Scottish cliff running — raw, rugged, and deeply immersive.
3. Fell Running on the Caithness Moorlands
Drive 5–15 minutes inland and the coastline gives way to open moorland — big skies, peat tracks, and rolling hills that feel more like Sutherland than the coast.
Great areas for fell running include:
- Dunnet Forest → Heathland Loops
- Forss → Moorland Tracks
- Westfield → Peatland Trails
These routes are ideal for:
- Interval training
- Tempo runs on quiet farm roads
- Exploring remote, wind-cut terrain
- Training for bigger Highland routes
The landscape changes quickly — ocean behind you, mountains forming ahead.
4. Coastal Path Running at Duncansby Head & the Stacks
Just east of John O’ Groats sits one of the most scenic cliff-running routes in the Highlands.
The trail from Duncansby Lighthouse to the Duncansby Stacks is:
- Flowing
- Fast in places
- Technical in others
- Packed with elevation changes
- Completely breathtaking
Continue beyond the stacks to reach more remote headlands, or loop back along inland farm tracks for a longer 10–12 km route.
If you love linking fast, grassy coastal singletrack with exposed viewpoints, this is your run.
5. Trail Running in Dunnet Forest
If the weather turns wild — or you just want sheltered miles — Dunnet Forest is your best bet.
A lattice of trails offers:
- Soft, forgiving running surfaces
- Long uninterrupted loops
- Shaded pine corridors
- Wide paths for easy cadence
It’s perfect for:
- Recovery runs
- Steady endurance sessions
- Wet-weather days
- Short technical drills
The forest is Scotland’s northernmost community woodland, and it’s just minutes from the cabins.
6. Highland Loops Into Sutherland — Empty Roads & Big Horizons
Go slightly further afield and you enter pure Highland running country.
Within 30–40 minutes you can reach:
The Causeway at Melvich
A quiet, rolling route linking the coast and the moor — ideal for long miles.
The Strath of Halladale
A beautiful valley road and moorland trails with almost no traffic.
A runner’s paradise: sweeping, empty, and rhythmic.
Ben Loyal & Ben Hope (for the serious mountain runners)
Not trail running — fell running.
If you’re experienced and weather-prepared, these are two of the best mountain routes in the north.
7. The Quiet Lines Around Beyond North
Sometimes the best runs don’t have names.
Around Haar and Drift, quiet single-track roads and grassy coastal paths offer:
- Easy-access 3–6 km loops
- Scenic out-and-back options along the shoreline
- Short hill repeats on nearby rises
- Sunset jogs to Gills Bay
- Exploration runs towards Mey
Every route has the same feeling: space, quiet, salt, and wind.
Where the Landscape Shapes the Run
Trail running in the far north isn’t just about elevation or distance — it’s about atmosphere.
The changing light.
The smell of salt on the wind.
The sound of waves below the cliffs.
The long, uninterrupted lines that stretch into the distance.
From the deck of Haar or Drift, you can see the terrain you’ll run — open, elemental, and inviting in all seasons.
Whether you’re preparing for a mountain race, embracing daily miles, or simply exploring this coast one footstep at a time, Beyond North places you in the heart of it all.
A base for runners.
A home for quiet endurance.
A landscape made for movement.
