Route Planning - Hints and Tips

Hopefully you will find the following useful to assist you with your planning.

• The best time of year to walk the SUW is April to September, due to the length of some of the sections please be aware of the amount daylight hours available.
  
• The average duration to complete the walk is 14 days.
  
• The SUW can be demanding so be prepared and don't attempt more than you feel you can comfortable walk, remember there are services available to help you make sections more manageable.
  
• Don’t walk without an up to date guide book, we recommend the Cicerone Press guide by Alan Castle .
  
• Maps are essential.
  
• Compass reading is highly recommended.
  
• The route is well posted with way markers but livestock can knock these over, be alert.
  
• The main town to head for to get to the start of the route is Stranraer (train station also), then it's just 6.5 miles to Portpatrick.
  
• Always pre book accommodation, some locations have limited accommodation, see route section info.
  
• Try to avoid booking a single nights’ accommodation in Portpatrick at weekends as annual events and due its popularity mean that accommodation providers prefer not to take single nights during weekends.
  
• Vodafone offers the best signal across the route.
  
• Plan your calls; you may not always get a signal. Obviously the towns and villages offer the best opportunity to get a signal.
  
• Check our website and or others for information regarding route changes etc within a few days of starting the walk.
  
• Any vehicle support and luggage transfers should be booked in advance, pickup points and times does not mean that a vehicle will turn up, it must be pre booked.
  
• Make sure you are well prepared, have the correct equipment, boots etc.
  
• By booking accommodation ahead should there be a problem your accommodation provider will get concerned and raise the alarm.
  
• Take our telephone numbers, should you have any problems you can call us up until 10pm – no one else other than the police is available to assist you in the event of problems.
  
• The weather is very changeable, be prepared.
  
• There can be midges but not as bad as some people make out, take some protection in the warmer months – Avon Skin So Soft is the best – so we are told!

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