The Inchnadamph Bone Caves Hike & Sovi’s Coffee (2026 Guide)

The Bone Caves are one of the best short hikes on the NC500. The trail climbs to four natural limestone caves with classic rolling Highland views in every direction, and at the trailhead there’s a coffee stand waiting to reward you when you get back down.

The caves get their name from the bones and fossils found inside them, dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic. Don’t worry, there aren’t any bones in there now. In this guide, I’ll cover where to park, which direction to hike the loop, when Sovi’s Coffee is open, and what to see next on your route.

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Last updated 2026-10-30

Quick Summary

A lone hiker stands in silhouette at a dark cave entrance, overlooking sunlit golden hills and distant mountains; the scene feels quiet and expansive.

The Bone Caves hike is a muddy but easy-to-follow loop to four limestone caves, with free parking right next to a seasonal coffee stand. Go counterclockwise for the easiest climb.

Cost: Free
Time needed: 2 hours
Distance: 5km
Parking: Free, large, well-maintained lot next to Sovi’s Coffee
Bathrooms: None
Best for: Highland views, limestone caves, and a post-hike latte
Heads up: The trail gets quite muddy after rain, and Sovi’s Coffee is only open Friday to Sunday

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Getting There And Parking

The trailhead is just a few minutes’ drive south of Loch Assynt, where you’ll find Ardvreck Castle. Parking is easy, with a large, free, well-maintained lot. For GPS directions, follow directions to Sovi’s Coffee, since the parking is right next to the coffee stand.

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The Hike To The Bone Caves

A lone hiker follows a narrow rocky trail beneath a towering, moss-covered cliff, with open, rugged highlands stretching into the distance. The scene feels quiet and adventurous.

A narrow trail winds through vivid green moss beneath a towering, rugged cliff, with dark cave-like openings in the rock and a quiet, remote mood.

It’s a stunning hike in all directions, with rolling Highland views the whole way. The trail is quite muddy in parts if it’s been raining, but it’s well defined and easy to follow.

I suggest doing it as a loop going counterclockwise. This takes you up the steep section toward the caves, then back down the longer, gentler slope to the valley. You can do it in either direction, but it’s much easier to go up the steep section than to come down it when it’s slippery.

Trail Map

The caves themselves are a great payoff. They are all large enough that you can go inside and look around, and one of them looks like there is a smaller tunnel that continues deeper into the mountain. But I wouldn't suggest checking that out. It looks more like one of those crazy tunnels that adrenaline junkies on YouTube squeeze through.

For me, the highlight was the photo opportunities. From inside the caves, the mouth of the cave frames the mountains across the valley in a really cool way. It's a great spot to get an epic hiking photo.

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Sovi’s Coffee

A person stands at a small wooden hut’s open window beside a flowing river, under a pine tree, with sunlit rolling hills creating a peaceful rural scene.

The coffee stand is a great perk on this hike. After slogging through the mud up to the caves and back, there’s nothing better than a piping hot latte and a baked good or sausage roll.

Hours: 11 am to 4 pm, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Season: Seasonal, which usually means open through the summer and closed for the winter
Weather: Open on a weather-dependent basis, since it’s a small cart and can’t stay open during storms

The stand is run by one person, so she does need to take some well-deserved time off. She announces any changes to her regular hours on her Instagram, so check there before you go.

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How Long To Spend At The Bone Caves

The hike itself takes around 1.5 hours, but it can take a bit longer if it's been raining, since the mud will likely slow you down. It doesn't take long to explore the caves since they are quite small, but if you stop for photos, you should plan to be up there for at least 20 minutes.

Everything from the coffee stand is served to-go, but there is a gorgeous river between the stand and the car park that makes for a great backdrop for your snack/latte, so you can scoot right off with your goodies, or hang around for a while and enjoy the vibe.

So, with all the variables, you should plan anywhere between 2 and 3 hours.

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Are The Bone Caves Worth It?

A lone hiker stands in silhouette inside a dark cave, gazing toward a sunlit golden mountain slope beneath a clear blue sky, creating a quiet, awe-filled mood.

Yes. If you're only going to do one hike along the NC500, I would make it this one. It's short enough that it won't take up your whole day, but it's long enough that it feels like a real hike that takes you out into the mountains properly.

It's also completely free, the caves make for an interesting midpoint, and the coffee stand at the end is just the cherry on top.

Just bring boots that can handle mud, and check Sovi’s Instagram if the coffee is part of your plan.

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What To Do After The Bone Caves?

A quiet village street lined with white cottages leads toward dark hills beneath drifting clouds, with warm sunlight casting long shadows.

An ancient stone castle tower stands on a grassy island beside a rippling loch, beneath a cloudy sky, creating a quiet, windswept mood.

If you’re taking the NC500 counter clockwise, you can continue on to a second hike for the day at Stac Pollaidh. If your legs have had it, skip the second hike and head down to the Torridon area, where you’ll find several charming seaside villages, each with a small but excellent selection of pubs and cafes to rest at.

If you’re doing the route clockwise, you’re just a few minutes’ drive from Ardvreck Castle. It’s one of the coolest castle ruins along the NC500 and an easy roadside stop.

Final Thoughts

The Bone Caves are a free, rewarding hike with four limestone caves, classic Highland views, and a coffee stand waiting at the bottom. Do the loop counter clockwise so you climb the steep section on the way up, wear boots for the mud, and check Sovi’s Instagram before you go, since it only runs Friday to Sunday and depends on the weather.

If you’re still building your route, this is just one of many highlights along the way. Check out our comprehensive guide to the 21 best things to do on the NC500 for everything you need to plan the perfect trip.

FAQ

Is the Bone Caves hike worth it?

Yes. If you only do one hike along the NC500, we recommend this one. It is short enough that it will not take up your whole day, but long enough to feel like a real mountain hike. It is also free, the four limestone caves make a great midpoint, and there is a coffee stand at the trailhead when you finish.

Which direction should you hike the Bone Caves loop?

Go counter-clockwise. This takes you up the steep section on the way to the caves and back down the longer, gentler slope to the valley. You can hike it in either direction, but it is much easier to climb the steep section than to descend it when it is slippery.

How long does the Bone Caves hike take?

The loop is about 5 km and takes around 1.5 hours, longer if rain has made the trail muddy. Allow at least 20 minutes at the caves for photos. With the caves, photos, and a coffee break, plan on 2 to 3 hours in total.

When is Sovi's Coffee open?

Sovi's Coffee is open 11am to 4pm, Friday to Sunday. It is seasonal, which usually means open through the summer and closed in winter, and it may close during storms because it is a small cart. The stand is run by one person who posts any changes to her hours on Instagram, so check there before you go.

Is there parking and are there bathrooms at the Bone Caves trailhead?

Parking is free in a large, well maintained lot right next to Sovi's Coffee, a few minutes' drive south of Loch Assynt. For GPS directions, search for Sovi's Coffee. There are no bathrooms at the trailhead. The trail is well defined but gets quite muddy after rain, so wear boots.

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