Routes
Bothies of Britain: hiking and biking adventures to unique mountain shelters
Routes
Bothies of Britain: hiking and biking adventures to unique mountain shelters
Collection by sianannalewis
Bothies of Britain: hiking and biking adventures to unique mountain shelters
10 routes
27:29
145km
4,410m
Feeling the urge to escape to the great outdoors? Nights out don’t get much wilder than a bit of bothying. A bothy is a simple mountain dwelling you can stay in for free. These no-frills shelters are places to rest your head, with four walls, a roof, a sleeping platform and, if you’re lucky, a wood-burning stove.
Bothies are found in the valleys between mountains, on the shores of lakes and perched on some of our most rugged coastlines. Although they’re located across the UK, Scotland is home to most of them. The Mountain Bothy Association maintains around 100 all across the country’s wildest regions, offering hikers and mountain bikers unhindered access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country and making for perfect pitstops on multi-day hikes.
The main reason that bothies are so special is that you have to earn the right to stay in one by getting there on foot or by bike! Many are in remote locations, although I've also included a few that you can easily hike into just for a night if you fancy a micro adventure.
These routes are some of my favourite bothy trails in Britain, but they're just the tip of the iceberg: there are over 100 bothies across the UK! I'd love you to suggest which one I should visit next in the comments and I'll be adding more bothies as I go. Be warned – bothy-bagging can get addictive.
FOLLOW THE BOTHY CODE
Respect Other Users:
Leave the bothy clean and tidy with dry kindling for the next visitors. Make other visitors welcome and be considerate to other users.
Respect the Bothy:
Don’t leave graffiti or vandalise the bothy. Take all rubbish home with you, including perishable food, which attracts vermin. Guard against fire risk and ensure the fire is out and that doors and windows are properly closed when you leave.
Respect the Surroundings:
If there is no toilet at the bothy, bury human waste out of sight. Use the spade (often provided, but bringing your own small shovel is a good idea), keep well away from the water supply and never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet. Never cut live wood or damage estate property. Use fuel sparingly.
Respect Agreement with the Estate:
Observe any restrictions on use of the bothy, for example during stag stalking or at lambing time. Bothies are available for short stays only.
Respect the Restriction On Numbers:
Because of overcrowding and lack of facilities, large groups (six or more) should not use a bothy. Bothies are not available for commercial groups.
MY TOP TIPS FOR ENJOYING A BOTHY STAY
Bring a tent just in case the bothy is already full.
Bring a few creature comforts: cards, a book or even a nip of whisky!
Once you get hooked on seeking out bothy stays, try planning your own hut-to-hut routes.
Many bothy users leave bits and bobs behind for other hikers, such as candles or matches, so consider bringing a little 'gift' to pass the kindness onwards.
Bothies are found in the valleys between mountains, on the shores of lakes and perched on some of our most rugged coastlines. Although they’re located across the UK, Scotland is home to most of them. The Mountain Bothy Association maintains around 100 all across the country’s wildest regions, offering hikers and mountain bikers unhindered access to some of the most spectacular landscapes in the country and making for perfect pitstops on multi-day hikes.
The main reason that bothies are so special is that you have to earn the right to stay in one by getting there on foot or by bike! Many are in remote locations, although I've also included a few that you can easily hike into just for a night if you fancy a micro adventure.
These routes are some of my favourite bothy trails in Britain, but they're just the tip of the iceberg: there are over 100 bothies across the UK! I'd love you to suggest which one I should visit next in the comments and I'll be adding more bothies as I go. Be warned – bothy-bagging can get addictive.
FOLLOW THE BOTHY CODE
Respect Other Users:
Leave the bothy clean and tidy with dry kindling for the next visitors. Make other visitors welcome and be considerate to other users.
Respect the Bothy:
Don’t leave graffiti or vandalise the bothy. Take all rubbish home with you, including perishable food, which attracts vermin. Guard against fire risk and ensure the fire is out and that doors and windows are properly closed when you leave.
Respect the Surroundings:
If there is no toilet at the bothy, bury human waste out of sight. Use the spade (often provided, but bringing your own small shovel is a good idea), keep well away from the water supply and never use the vicinity of the bothy as a toilet. Never cut live wood or damage estate property. Use fuel sparingly.
Respect Agreement with the Estate:
Observe any restrictions on use of the bothy, for example during stag stalking or at lambing time. Bothies are available for short stays only.
Respect the Restriction On Numbers:
Because of overcrowding and lack of facilities, large groups (six or more) should not use a bothy. Bothies are not available for commercial groups.
MY TOP TIPS FOR ENJOYING A BOTHY STAY
Bring a tent just in case the bothy is already full.
Bring a few creature comforts: cards, a book or even a nip of whisky!
Once you get hooked on seeking out bothy stays, try planning your own hut-to-hut routes.
Many bothy users leave bits and bobs behind for other hikers, such as candles or matches, so consider bringing a little 'gift' to pass the kindness onwards.
Visibility:
Anyone
Activities
1.78km
00:21
20m
10m
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5.58km
01:25
70m
20m
17.0km
04:17
780m
780m
20.5km
06:53
690m
690m
Collection Stats
Activities
10
Distance
145 km
Duration
27:29 h
Elevation
4,410 m
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