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Munros
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Sgurr nan Eag (924m, Munro 265)
Sgurr Dubh Mor (944m, Munro 228)
Sgurr Alasdair (993m, Munro 154)
Sgurr Mhic Choinnich (948m, Munro 217)
Sgurr Dearg 'In-Pinn' (986m, Munro 164)
Sgurr na Banachdich (965m, Munro 190)
Sgurr a'Greadaidh (973m, Munro 185)
Sgurr a'Mhadaidh (918m, Munro 277)
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Ascent
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2440m (8,000ft)
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Distance
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17.5km (11m)
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Time
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5-12hr*
*Naismith's rule doesn't apply on Skye's Black Cuillin !
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Main route summary
Doing this route as a continuous chain, puts the easier sections at the start and end of the day with the real concentration required in the middle. The trickiest parts are getting onto Sgurr Alasdair from Coire Ghrunnda, getting off Sgurr Thearlaich, approaching Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and of course the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Dearg. Sustained scrambling is the order for most of the day, finishing off with a fine walk alongside the Allt Coire Ghrunnda and its waterfalls.
The Skye Cuillin are technically much harder than anything else in Scotland. These peaks should not be attempted without some prior scrambling experience on the Aonach Eagach, An Teallach or similar. You will need abseilling experience to get off the In Pinn and possibly Sgurr Thearlaich. Although the gabbro rock is grippy, some sections are also very loose and others are well polished, therefore slippy in the wet. Check out the weather forecast, choose your day wisely and you'll have a fantastic time.
The OS Landranger does not show sufficient detail, therefore use of a 1:25000 map is advised. The Harvey's map of the Skye Cuillin is also well recommended. Alternatively, hire us to guide you around the ridge !
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profile
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location
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start/finish
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Glenbrittle Campsite
(grid ref : NG410225)
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maps/guides
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GPX data
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download GPX file of this route
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| terrain |
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easy |
| difficult |
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| navigation |
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easy |
| testing |
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| effort |
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stroll |
| long day |
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| scenery |
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ok |
| stunning |
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| meanings |
Sgurr nan Eag : 'peak of the notches'
Sgurr Dubh Mor : 'big black peak'
Sgurr Alasdair : 'Alexander's peak'
Sgurr Mhic Choinnich : 'Mackenzie's peak'
Sgurr Dearg : 'red peak'
Sgurr na Banachdich : 'peak of smallpox or milkmaid'
Sgurr a'Greadaidh : 'peak of torment/conflict'
Sgurr a'Mhadaidh : 'peak of the fox'
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| main route outline | print route |
Getting there
Glenbrittle Campsite sits by a bay at the end of the glen. It is accessed by a narrow, twisting road heading in from Carbost - you won't find any caravans heading down here !
Sgurr nan Eag
From the campsite at the end of Glenbrittle, walk through the campsite, past the toilets, over the fence, then up a path. Cross a track that heads south-west, then continue on the path uphill for ½km. A junction is reached, turn right, cross the burn and head wsw and on a well constructed path for 1km, then cross the Allt Coire Lagan. Shortly after this burn, the path divides into two, take the left fork which aims higher and gets you into Coire Ghrunnda. The path has been recently extended and carries on into the coire and hits some scree. Over some large boulders then occasional easy scrambles to reach Loch Coir a'Ghrunnda. Cross the outflow and start to walk around the south side of the loch. Just after an inlet with some sand, turn and aim directly up Sgurr na Eag. Apart from some minor easy scrambling, there are no difficulties reaching the large cairn on top of some boulders.
Sgurr Dubh MorReturn for a bit, then get onto the crest of Sgurr na Eag's west ridge. The scambling becomes slightly more technical, but still fairly easy. Approaching Caisteal a'Garbh Coire, the terrain becomes easy, pass this block on the north (right) side and reach a windy bealach. From here, some sustained but easy and enjoyable scrambling will take you up to Sgurr na da Bheinn. Various routes options present themselves, but generally keep just to the Coire Ghrunnda side of the crest. To reach Sgurr Dubh Mor head initially in the direction of the peak (east), but look for a path on loose scree on your left (north). Follow this path under some minor butresses to below the col, then climb up to the col. Cross to the other side of the col, then follow a ledge on your left (see photo). Up some slighlty loose ground to a point of safety, then turn right and scramble up two slabs (tricky if wet) and a gap between rocks to reach the airy crest of the summit.
Sgurr AlasdairReturn to Sgurr na da Bheinn the same way, or, if you prefer something slightly harder, stick to the crest. Head north-west, and reach Bealach Coir' an Lochain via boulders and no difficulties. Sticking to the ridge involves and abseil into and climb out of the Thearlaich Dubh Gap (or 'TD Gap' as it is affectionately known). The Thearlaich Dubh Gap is however easily avoided by following a faint path below Sgurr Alasdair's south-facing butresses to a small cave (see photo). After reaching the cave, turn right and head over some loose ground below and to the right of the crest to reach the bottom of an awkward looking dark chimney (there are two chimneys, it's the larger one on the right). The scramble up it is not as bad as it looks ! Once up out of this chimney continue up with extreme care on exceptionally loose ground to Sgurr Alasdair's summit. This is a fantastic place to stop for a while and take in the views.
Sgurr Mhic ChoinnichFrom the summit, easy scrambling leads down to the top of the Great Stone Shoot. If a quick descent out is required, down the Stone Shoot is the way ! Next up is Sgurr Thearlaich - from the top of the Shoot, walk sse down on a path on the screes until you see a gap on Sgurr Thearlaich's rock. Clamber up this then scramble directly up to the summt. Continue north, down on the crest over an airy section, then plateau to a dead end. Either abseil directly down (see right)  , or head back slightly and look for a loose route right. The latter requires a bit of route finding and careful footwork on the loose rock. Scramble over to Bealach Mhic Choinnich. The direct route to Sgurr Mhic Choinnich is up King's Chimney, however that's a climb ! Alternatively (see right), cross the bealach and look for a ledge off left. This is Collie's Ledge, which is exposed but fairly easy and continues around the peak to reach the north side, from where it's an easy scramble, with one slight bad step, to the summit, where there is a small memorial plaque.
Sgurr Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle Return to the top of Collie's Ledge, then continue scrambling down to the top of An Stac Screes. The route is fairly obvious with easy scrambling most of the way. If you've got a good head for heights, you could aim directly up An Stac, however, if you'd like a breather before the exposure on the In-Pinn, just keep to the top of the screes and below the rock of An Stac. Climb up on loose stone and boulders to reach the base of the Inaccessible Pinnacle. You may have to wait a while before it's your turn to start up on this, the most difficult of Munro peaks. The scramble up the In-Pinn is not really difficult, it's just the exposure that's frightening. The easiest way up is the east ridge - start this near the bottom of the rock (see photo above), then get onto the crest. Scramble directly up to the summit boulder, with only one modertly difficult move on the way. The easiest way down is to abseil off the west side. Plonk yourself onto the safety of Sgurr Dearg and watch the other climbers do what you've just done.
Sgurr na BanachdichFrom here on the progress becomes gradually more straightforward. Leave Sgurr Dearg and head down easy loose scree to Bealach Coire na Banachdich. To reach Sgurr na Banachdich via fine scrambling, stick to the crest. However, a slightly easier, but less enjoyable route is just off left on some vague sections of path. Higher up the crest narrows and a first top, then the main summit are reached.
Sgurr a'GhreadaidhLeave Sgurr na Banachdich and head over an obvious route initially north-west, then downhill turning right (north-east) on loose scree. A bit of easy scrambling at the col, with a good view over to Blaven. Scramble directly up to the summit of Sgurr Thomaid, then careful on loose ground on the other side. Keep to the right (south) side of the 3 teeth and reach a col ith some stone circles to shelter out of the wind. Scramble uphill towards Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh, concentration is required as although the scrambling is straightforward, it is relentless to the first top. The main top with its cairn is just a bit further, but there are some tricky moves between these summits. From the first top, keep mainly to the crest, then just before the main summit, drop a bit to the left, contour just below it and come back on it to reach the cairn.
Sgurr a'MhadaidhHead north from Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh's summit over easy loose ground and go around The Wart - a large black cliff on your right. Easy ground takes you down to a slight difficulty on a dyke, easily overcome with care. Pass an impressive cleft on your left, then keeping more or less to the crest continue down to An Dorus. There is some scrambling here, face the rock and descend down to the col. Cross the col, one little move being required, then head up easy loose ground to Sgurr a'Mhadaidh's small airy summit.
Down to Glenbrittle Youth HostelReturn to An Dorus, then head down on scree into Coire An Doruis. A faint path develops, crosses the burn near where it swings sw and Coire a'Ghreadaidh is entered. Further down the Allt Coire a'Ghreadaidh needs crossing, but careful as the rock can be slippy. Pick up the recently re-constructed path and follow it down to the youth hostel, stopping to admire the waterfalls on the way.
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Garbh Bheinn from Sgurr nan Eag
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Coire Ghrunnda from Sgurr nan Eag
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Sgurr na da Bheinn and Sgurr Dubh Mor
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Coire Ghrunnda
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Early morning on Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr Alasdair
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Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Thearlaich
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On Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
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Scramblers on Collies Ledge
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Scramblers on the In Pinn
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Climbing the Inaccessible Pinnacle
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The Inaccessible Pinnacle with Sgurr Alasdair behind
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Sgurr na Banachdich and Sgurr a'Greadaidh from Sgurr Dearg
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Sgurr a'Greadaidh from Sgurr na Banachdich
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Sgurr a'Mhadaidh and Bruach na Frithe from Sgurr a'Greadaidh
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Waterfall above Glenbrittle Youth Hostel
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This route avoids the difficulties getting to Sgurr Alasdair from the south.
This section differs from the main route by having a fun scree run after the main peaks are bagged.
An enjoyable circuit, including scrambling up Sgurr Dearg, but just to look at the 'In-Pinn' !
Sgurr nan Eag and Sgurr Dubh Mor
Ascent : 1350m, distance : 14km
Just bagging the two southerly Munros, this route therefore avoids many difficulties.
From the campsite at the end of Glenbrittle, walk through the campsite, past the toilets, over the fence, then up a path. Cross a track that heads south-west, then continue on the path uphill for ½km. A junction is reached, turn right, cross the burn and head wsw and on a well constructed path for 1km, then cross the Allt Coire Lagan. Shortly after this burn, the path divides into two, take the left fork which aims higher and gets you into Coire Ghrunnda. The path has been recently extended and carries on into the coire and hits some scree. Over some large boulders then occasional easy scrambles to reach Loch Coir a'Ghrunnda.
Cross the outflow and start to walk around the south side of the loch. Just after an inlet with some sand, turn and aim directly up Sgurr na Eag. Apart from some minor easy scrambling, there are no difficulties reaching the large cairn on top of some boulders.
Return for a bit, then get onto the crest of Sgurr na Eag's west ridge. The scambling becomes slightly more technical, but still fairly easy. Approaching Caisteal a'Garbh Coire, the terrain becomes easy, pass this block on the north (right) side and reach a windy bealach. From here, some sustained but easy and enjoyable scrambling will take you up to Sgurr na da Bheinn. Various routes options present themselves, but generally keep just to the Coire Ghrunnda side of the crest. To reach Sgurr Dubh Mor head initially in the direction of the peak (east), but look for a path on loose scree on your left (north). Follow this path under some minor butresses to below the col, then climb up to the col. Cross to the other side of the col, then follow a ledge on your left (see photo in Main Route). Up some slighlty loose ground to a point of safety, then turn right and scramble up two slabs (tricky if wet) and a gap between rocks to reach the airy crest of the summit.
Return to Sgurr Dubh na da Bheinn, then head directly down to Loch Coir' a'Ghrunnda. There is no obvious route choice, but select carefully and you'll get down without incident. At the loch, stop for a while and take in the scenery - this is a magical place. Return to Glenbrittle the way you came up.
The Inaccessible Pinnacle, Sgur Mhic Choinnich and Sgurr Alasdair
Ascent : 1675m, distance : 14km
This section differs from the main route by having a fun scree run after the main peaks are bagged.
In Glenbritte, by the phone-box and Glen Brittle War Memorial Hut, a route starts by the roadside and heads east. Follow the path for 1km, then leave it and head due east up Sgurr Dearg. Once the wetter ground of the lower slopes are left behind, the ground quickly gets bouldery and screey. A path is followed uphill with only occasional easy scrambling being required. At around the 800m contour things start to get more tricky and you feel yourself being pulled into Coire Lagan by the angle of the rock - resist and try to stay as close to the crest as possible, but keeping on the south side, following a faint path. Suddenly and very dramatically the Inaccessible Pinnacle comes into view. The terrain easies somewhat and Sgurr Dearg is reached. Climb up the In Pinn and abseil off as described on the left.
Leave Sgurr Dearg by following the path on the south side of the In Pinn and An Stac, do not be tempted by a scree-run heading off right - it's a dead end - keep to the base of the An Stac. Follow the path around to the top of the An Stac screes, then continue up Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, keeping initially slightly to the right (south) where the scrambling is easier and there are some faint sections of path.
From Sgurr Mhic Choinnich's summit, the route down via King's Chimney requires an abseil, therefore it's easier to return 100m or so and pick up Collie's Ledge, which turns below Sgurr Mhic Choinnich's peak. This ledge requires concentration as a slip could well end in disaster ! After reaching and crossing Bealach Mhic Choinnich, head slightly to the right to scramble up loose rock - heading directly up is considerably more technical (see photo on left). The route turns left then reaches the crest of Sgurr Thearlaich. Very airy, continue to this summit, then descend in the same direction to a cleft just below the level of the top of the Great Stone Chute. Scramble down the cleft then haul yourself up the screes to the top of the Great Stone Chute. An easy direct scramble will take you to the summit of Sgurr Alasdair.
Return to the top of the Chute, then straightdown the boulders into Coire Lagan below. Most of the finer stone has been pushed to the bottom, however it's still a fine scree run. Though not as spectacular as Coire Ghrunnda, Coire Lagan is a fine place to stop and take in what you've just scrambled. From the lochan, pick up the path and head back to Glenbrittle.
Sgurr na Banachdich, Sgurr a'Greadaidh and Sgurr a'Mhadaidh from the Hostel
Ascent : 1525m, distance : 10km
From Glenbrittle, the guide books suggest reaching Sgurr na Banachdich by heading directly into Coir' an Eich from the Youth Hostel or by going to Bealach Banachdich from the SMC Memorial Hut. However, if I'm doing these three munros, I prefer to head initially up Sgurr Dearg from the SMC Memorial Hut, then continue along the ridge - that way, not only do you get a fantastic view of the route ahead, but you'll also get to watch baggers climbing up and abseilling off the In-Pinn.
In Glenbritte, by the phone-box and Glen Brittle War Memorial Hut, a route starts by the roadside and heads east. Follow the path for 1km, then leave it and head due east up Sgurr Dearg. Once the wetter ground of the lower slopes are left behind, the ground quickly gets bouldery and screey. A path is followed uphill with only occasional easy scrambling being required. At around the 800m contour things start to get more tricky and you feel yourself being pulled into Coire Lagan by the angle of the rock - resist and try to stay as close to the crest as possible, but keeping on the south side, following a faint path. Suddenly and very dramatically the Inaccessible Pinnacle comes into view. The terrain easies somewhat and Sgurr Dearg is reached.
Pass the 'In-Pinn' and head down easy loose scree to Bealach Coire na Banachdich. To reach Sgurr na Banachdich via fine scrambling, stick to the crest. However, a slightly easier, but less enjoyable route is just off left on some vague sections of path. Higher up the crest narrows and a first top, then the main summit are reached.
Leave Sgurr na Banachdich and head over an obvious route initially north-west, then downhill turning right (north-east) on loose scree. A bit of easy scrambling at the col, with a good view over to Blaven. Scramble directly up to the summit of Sgurr Thomaid, then careful on loose ground on the other side. Keep to the right (south) side of the 3 teeth and reach a col ith some stone circles to shelter out of the wind. Scramble uphill towards Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh, concentration is required as although the scrambling is straightforward, it is relentless to the first top. The main top with its cairn is just a bit further, but there are some tricky moves between these summits. From the first top, keep mainly to the crest, then just before the main summit, drop a bit to the left, contour just below it and come back on it to reach the cairn.
Head north from Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh's summit over easy loose ground and go around The Wart - a large black cliff on your right. Easy ground takes you down to a slight difficulty on a dyke, easily overcome with care. Pass an impressive cleft on your left, then keeping more or less to the crest continue down to An Dorus. There is some scrambling here, face the rock and descend down to the col. Cross the col, one little move being required, then head up easy loose ground to Sgurr a'Mhadaidh's small airy summit.
Return to An Dorus, then head down on scree into Coire An Doruis. A faint path develops, crosses the burn near where it swings sw and Coire a'Ghreadaidh is entered. Further down the Allt Coire a'Ghreadaidh needs crossing, but careful as the rock can be slippy. Pick up the recently re-constructed path and follow it down to the youth hostel, stopping to admire the waterfalls on the way.
North
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Cuillin Ridge North
Sgurr nan Gillean is the finest peak on Skye, Bruache na Frithe is the easiest. Scrambling skills required
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North-east
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The Red Cuillin - Glamaig, Beinn Dearg Mhor and Marsco
Lots of scree and superb views. When the weather sulks on the Black Cuillin, the Red Cuillin often stays cloud-free !
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East
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Blaven
Reckoned to be one of the most beautiful hills in Scotland, no difficulties getting to the summit
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South
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Rum Cuillin
More scrambling requiring a good head for heights. (Coming soon)
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