It branches from the A9 near Tain and runs generally north through Bonar Bridge and Lairg, until Tongue. Between Lairg and Tongue the road is single track for 38 miles (61 km). At Tongue the road turns east, following the north coast, passing through Thurso, and eventually ending at John o' Groats, where it meets the A99.
The A836 here is east-west aligned, and Struie Wood is in fact woodland south of the road. From Struie Wood the B9176 runs generally south to the A9 near Alness and Evanton.
This A838 junction is about one mile (2 km) north of Lairg. The A838 runs generally northwest, then generally north to Durness and then generally east to rejoin the A836 at Tongue.
From Tongue the A838 runs generally west/northwest to Durness and then southwest and southeast back to the A836 near Lairg. At Tongue the A836 turns to run generally east.
Near Bettyhill, B871,
The B871 junction is in Strathnaver, about 3 miles (5 km) short of Bettyhill, the B871 runs generally south to Davina Lodge and then generally east/southeast to the A897 at Kinbrace.
East of the River Thurso the road regains its own identity and is there linked south by the A9 to the A836 itself near Tain, and to Inverness, Perth and Falkirk.