Walks you can reach from Lairg by train

Glorious views of Dunrobin Castle from the shore. A long coastal route following the John o'Groats Trail, mostly on paths: clifftop and shore walking, grass and beach (with a choice of which to use), plus a horrible short scramble between the railway fence and large boulders and a steep climb to Portgower. Possible river crossings that may be impassable in spate. Follows the John o'Groats Trail (Golspie to Brora and Brora to Helmsdale); see jogt.org.uk for diversions. Plentiful wildlife including Arctic terns and seals; the walk can be split at Brora.

Coastal: almost all along the coast.

Time: 8h–16h

Warnings: A short stretch is squeezed between the railway fence and large boulders, requiring a slow, treacherous scramble. River crossings (e.g. the Loth Burn) may be difficult in spate; an inland diversion to the A9 is available. Best split over two days.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal path most of the way before turning inland to the station; part of the John O'Groats Trail.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Time: 4h30–9h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for two fifths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Part of the John O'Groats Trail.

Warnings: Long sections of A road with no coastal path.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Time: 7h30–14h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for nine tenths of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A farm track that becomes a country road, then a useful cycle path beside the road after Evanton. Mostly easy and swift walking on hard surfaces and with a fair amount of road and some traffic. Covers part of the John o'Groats Trail from the Cromarty Bridge to Alness; see jogt.org.uk for the full Trail route.

Time: 4h30–9h30

1 lunch spot: Cornerstone Café

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a quarter of the walk. The country road carries a fair amount of traffic, though it is wide enough for safety with generally good sight lines.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Railwalks.

Climbs out of Alness past a golf course onto the Scotsburn Road, then is intended to follow forest tracks; in practice much of the marked forest route is impassably overgrown or blocked and leaving a long stretch of tarmac road with fairly frequent traffic. Closely follows the John o'Groats Trail; see jogt.org.uk for additional route descriptions.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 6h–11h30

Warnings: The marked forest paths are blocked or impassably overgrown in places, and a gate at Scotsburn Farm was locked; walkers may end up on the road for most of the route, which is all tarmac with fairly frequent vehicles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.