Guides and about
Small on purpose
The people who know the ground
A small office of planners and six guides, each tied to one region. Here is who they are, how we work and where to find the trip desk.
Named after the stones that mark the way
A cairn is a small stack of stones that walkers leave on a high path so the next person does not lose it in cloud. That is roughly what we try to be.
Cairnway was started by two walking guides who were tired of itineraries written by people who had never slept in the huts. We kept the company small on purpose: a handful of planners in one office, six guides who each know one region deeply, and no more journeys than we can walk ourselves each spring.
We do not sell packages from a catalogue. Every trip begins with a conversation, and most private journeys end up a little different from anything on this site.
Walked first
Every route on this site is scouted by its guide before the season opens.
Six guides, six regions
Each guide leads one region only, season after season. You meet them on the platform on day one and again on the planning call two weeks before.
Alps and Dolomites
14 seasons on these trails
Mountain lead
Grew up two valleys from the hut route, trained as a mountain leader and still checks every hut kitchen before the season opens.
Italian, German, English
Favourite stretch: the ridge above the second hut at first light
Scotland, Hebrides
9 seasons on this coast
Coast and islands guide
Worked the island ferries before guiding, so knows which crossings run in a westerly and which beach is worth the extra mile.
English, some Gaelic
Favourite stretch: the west-side beaches when the wild flowers are out
Morocco, High Atlas
12 seasons in these valleys
Atlas walking guide
Born in a village on the route and still spends the winter there. Arranges the mule team, the guesthouses and the best mint tea on the trail.
Tamazight, Arabic, French, English
Favourite stretch: the pass above the walnut valley in late October
Western Norway
8 seasons on these waters
Fjord and paddle guide
A qualified sea-kayak leader who plans each paddle around the wind, and cooks a cabin fish soup the group asks about for years.
Norwegian, English
Favourite stretch: the still hour on the fjord before breakfast
Chile and Argentina
11 seasons in the far south
Patagonia trek leader
Reads southern weather better than any forecast and keeps a flask of something warm for the windiest viewpoint of the trip.
Spanish, English
Favourite stretch: the lakeshore path the evening before the towers
Japan, Kii mountains
10 seasons on these paths
Kii trail guide
Lived in a hot-spring village for six years and walks the old roads with the patience of someone who has seen every season on them.
Japanese, English
Favourite stretch: the cedar steps after rain, when the moss turns bright
Five habits we keep on every trail
Not rules on a wall, just the way the guides have always worked. Ask any of them about these on the planning call.
01
Slow by design
We plan fewer kilometres than most and leave room for the long lunch, the swim and the second look.
02
Local first
Family huts, village guesthouses and local cooks before any chain, and we book them early so they can plan their season.
03
Small groups only
Ten walkers at most on a group journey. It keeps the paths quiet and the dinner table one conversation.
04
Honest about weather
If the pass is unsafe we take the valley route. A good day out matters more than ticking a summit.
05
Guides paid for the season
Our guides are paid for their scouting days and their winter planning, not only for the weeks they walk.
Come and see the maps
Our planners work from one small office with a big table and a wall of maps. Visits are welcome by appointment, and the kettle is always on.
Address
Unit 4, The Old Ropeworks, Harbour Lane
Hours
Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00
Write
trips@example.com