The West Coast Trail (WCT) is a 75 km (47 mile) backpacking trail on the Pacific coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It's protected by a silicon sleeve so you can drop it and it won't smash (or at least ours hasn't yet!) Yes, it does happen every now and again in Scotland! There’s no way to 100% prevent midges attacking, and they come with friends (swarms of them) but you can use products such as Avon Skin So Soft US / UK to repel them. History. They are neat, comfortable and good-looking. Carry some coins with you in case you need to use our iconic red telephone boxes! © COPYRIGHT ALONG DUSTY ROADS LTD 2014 -2020, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - PHOTOGRAPHY CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION, A Guide to Essaouira | Morocco's Windy City, 23 things to know before driving the North Coast 500, OS Road Map for North Scotland, Orkney & Shetland, At the Loch of the Green Corrie by Andrew Greig, Jacobites: A New History of the '45 Rebellion by, 23 Things to Know Before Driving the North Coast 500 article, North Coast 500 Highlights | Where To Find The Things You'll Love, The Best Hostels Along the North Coast 500, How We Fell in Love with the Scottish Highlands, Distilleries and Breweries To Visit On The North Coast 500, 5 Castles to Stay at on the North Coast 500. Everything needed for five and a half months on the Pacific Crest Trail. If you've never used Airbnb before for a place to stay whilst you're travelling, then we can't recommend it enough - check out our beginner's guide to Airbnb or sign up for free here and receive up to £30 off your first booking. July 2020 update | As we’ve explained in more detail in our 23 Things to Know Before Driving the North Coast 500 article, there are now various requirements in place by the Scottish Government on locals and tourists. Ultralight. If you intend to hike, and I strongly recommend you do set aside two hours in Ullapool to do the short up and down the Stac Pollaidh, pack your hiking boots or shoes. The scourge of Scottish summers, the dreaded midge can ruin that romantic sunset stroll by the loch or picnic on a munro. Given that this is a remote area for large stretches of your roads trip, bringing your own small first aid kit with the essentials is always a good idea. We’ve visited too many countries where downpours can happen at any moment (yes, Thailand I am looking at you) and since we carry our camera and battery packs in our day bag, we need to ensure that they will still switch on after a rain attack. Prebble's book is the best place to start trying to understand its causes and effects on the nation and to make you realise why the landscapes on the North Coast 500 are so empty. Wonderland Trail Itinerary Planner; The Lost Coast Trail tides planner Nov 7, 2017 - Whatever the time of year you plan on driving the NC500, our North Coast 500 packing list for your camper van has you covered. Two Scots Abroad | Creating ridiculously useful travel guides + packing lists since 2014. In Scotland, we have a zero tolerance for drink driving. Non-campers, a hat comes in handy for hiding windswept hair, keeping your ears cosy up hills or even get a fancy one for those Instagram shots! [Disclaimer] [Privacy], Plan a trip If you're a heavy phone user and active traveller, and it doubles up as your main camera, then a Lifeproof phone case is a great piece of travel kit - not just for the North Coast 500. These need to be respected if you’re travelling to the country and doing this road trip. Hike across England with National Geographic. Now I hike in Salomon Quest boots US / UK. We use and recommend the Victorinox Huntsman. If you are just starting your 500 miles road trip with this article, don’t miss our NC500 free guide full of itineraries and tips to get you on the road. Work with us A roof box can more than double your car's capacity and, if you're camping or outdoorsy, it can keep that equipment nice and separate when it's mucky. Join our mailing list, Save £20K to travel It's a good idea to have some ice blocks as well to keep everything extra chilled. It's waterproof, dustproof and dropproof, whilst also providing your phone with one full charge as a battery pack (unfortunately it won't make the dinner for you or clean the house). … Experienced hikers only. This multi-use trail can be used uphill only. Food is 1/3 more expensive in restaurants and cafes than in the central belt of Scotland. How to Get to Cape Scott Provincial Park and The North Coast Trail Kid you not, I was a little red in the face after hiking up Ullapool’s Stac Pollaidh. We backpacked around 16 countries using this device and luckily had our belongings untapped. However, aside from that link, Louise Stevenson's uncle actually designed the Noss Head Lighthouse in Caithness which is part of the NC500 route. I swear by Havaianas US / UK for durability. However, if you're a large family or group travelling together, you might find space at a premium. While the coastline further north is often barraged with heavy storms throughout winter, it's not uncommon to find the Northern California coast basking in 65-degree, calm and sunny weather, making it a great destination for winter trail time. Try these hydration tablets US / UK, works a treat (recommended by a medic we met travelling). Note: I hiked the Lost Coast Trail in April, 2014. We swear by packing cubes these days - they're great for short and long-term trips to organise your luggage (and our camera cables) so that you can quickly and easily unpack and repack in your B&B or hotel. On road trips especially, we use it as our main map source and GPS, compass, torch, music player, back-up camera and, sometimes, even to make calls (although the signal is very patchy up here!). Not only will you receive free one-day shipping on most items, but it also gives you access to a bunch of TV shows, movies and Kindle books. We all depend on our mobile phones these days. Who needs Jon Snow? In the days of Spotify and off-line playlists, we know that CDs are old hat. A big part of our travel philosophy is to try and cut down how much unnecessary plastic we both use on the road - one of the easiest (and most cost-effective) ways to do that is to focus on refilling rather than buying lots of plastic bottles of water. This is the section between Mattole Beach and Black Sands Beach (Shelter Cove). It follows the edge of the Indian Ocean, crossing the lagoons and estuaries of the Umhlanga, Umdloti, Mvoti and Tugela Rivers. There are loads available in the £10-20 range - like the incredibly light (but powerful) Powercore 10000 or the teeny-tiny lipstick mini. Weather and trail conditions require stamina, something most people don’t have u… If you're wild camping along the route or undertaking some proper hiking, then you'll know that a proper Swiss Army Knife is an essential piece of kit. then 'Made in Scotland' is a decent option for a mix of classics and a fair bit of cheese. Flirting with 40 and let loose on the world! I have a big problem with packing light. As Scotland's weather - even in June and July - can never be 100% depended upon, NC500 roadtrippers really do have to pack for all occasions and seasons. Hike through and alongside coastal forest, rocky cliffs and the wild Pacific coast on a relatively well-maintained route. Outside of these dates, transport must be arranged on an individual basis, which can come at a higher cost, but can also offer more solitude if … You can always pack your own one too, just be sure to check out our post on first aid kit essentials. The route offers unparalleled Highland landscapes, a unique driving experience and a fantastic perspective on what makes Scotland great. The 60km stretch of undulating terrain from Port St John's to Coffee Bay, is well suited to the fitter hiker looking for an authentic cultural Wild Coast Experience. If you are staying in hostels or camping, it’s advisable to take flip flops, sliders or Crocs with you for the shower rooms. Silly me for not using my reliable factor 50 La Roche-Posay US / UK. We played purely Scottish music when navigating the North Coast 500 (Andrew insisted). 26 May 2017. scotland, united kingdom. On the whole, you will be jumping in and out of your car so footwear does not matter too much. We know that lots of people are happy to use their phone (and the cursed selfie-stick) but, if you'd like to know what camera equipment we took on the North Coast 500 and all our travels across the world, read this post. One of the best aspects of the California coast is that it generally offers a mild and hospitable climate for outdoor recreation year round. In Findings she draws together these themes to describe travels in the country like no other contemporary writer. → Here’s our review of lightweight walking boots. Although this included some questionable tunes, there's nothing like driving Scotland's most famous 500 miles with Scotland's most famous 500 mile song - although we do have to point out that Scottish music has so so much more to offer than just The Proclaimers! Deet-free and 100% natural Incognito and Smidge are the two most popular options, whilst a number of people swear by Avon Skin So Soft. For hikes, I always tape up my feet using Leukotape US / UK to avoid blisters, works a treat. We all know the dangers presented by people trying to fiddle with their phones whilst driving (and it's bloody illegal! Even on a digital detoxing three weeks in Cuba we still used our mobile phones every day for reading, listening to music and taking notes. It was actually hot (or 'taps aff weather' to us Scots). - The Highland Clearances by John Prebble: The Highland Clearances form one of the saddest chapters in Scotland's history. If you are camping you definitely want to carry a head torch with you. It’s always wise to carry a charged mobile phone battery pack in your bag so you’re not left without any tunes! Naturally, this road trip-packing guide can be adapted for other driving holidays too. The North Coast Trail is a challenging and strenuous coastal experience. This guide refers only to the northern Lost Coast Trail. Nevertheless, we had a lovely picnic with a little wicker picnic hamper - you know the sort, the one that includes all your plates, cutlery, napkins etc. They make for great gifts too. and of course – The Proclaimers (500 miles…), A waterproof coat like this Marmot Precip, Comfortable walking shoes and hiking boots – I swear by Salomon Ellipse trek shoes, Battery pack for your phone – I vouch for Anker’s range, Skross universal travel adaptor with USB slots, First aid kit, anti-bac wipes and hand sanitiser. If you're renting a car, then it’s likely GPS will be included. We’ve created a lot of content to help you make the best of the NC500: Come rain, shine, hanger and hangovers you are now equipped for the best 500-mile drive of your life! Required fields are marked *. Along with your throw, hat, shades and first aid pack you’ll also want to buy snacks. If you don't like a full hiking boot, they also come in a more trainer-like 'low rise' style for men and women. Alternatively, you can pick up a physical map of the route in Inverness as well as various points along the way. We're Gemma and Craig. The mission of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) is to develop, maintain, protect and promote the North Country National Scenic Trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the United States through a trail-wide coalition of volunteers and partners. Here are our suggestions for your North Coast 500 packing list. 3) How can I get to Kauai? Tagged: packing list, nc500, north coast 500, what to pack for the north coast 500, packing tips, scotland, roadtrip, roadtrip essentials, north coast 500 packing list, packing suggestions, what to bring on the north coast 500. For clothing, I try to keep it simple and therefore light. A bunch of friends recommended some of their favourite Scottish music to help us craft our own playlist, but if you don't know where to start or actually like having a physical CD on a roadtrip (again, think of that mobile phone battery life!) In the past, my preference has always been Salomon Ellipse (US / UK) trek trainers/shoes because they are lighter for packing. Stretching some 110km from Umhlanga to the Amatikulu River, the North Coast is as diverse as it is spectacular. 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