Sgurr Alasdair from Glenbrittle
Hiking and scrambling route up Sgurr Alasdair
Sgurr Alasdair, the highest peak on Skye, is reached from Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and a steep climb up the Great Stone Chute, followed by a short, exposed scramble to the summit.
Route outline
| Munros | ||||
| Ascent | 1025m (3360ft) | |||
| Distance | 14km (9m) | |||
| Time | 5:50hr | |||
| Start/finish | Glenbrittle Campsite Grid Ref : NG412205 | |||
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Sgurr Alasdair, the highest peak in the Black Cuillin of Skye, is quite accessible when heading from in Glenbrittle. This route follows a well-trodden path into Coire Lagan, directly beneath the summit, from where a steep climb of around 300m heads up scree and boulders of the Great Stone Chute. This leads to a col, where some straightforward, but occasionally exposed scrambling gains the small summit, offering breathtaking views.
Scrambling up the final push on Sgurr Alasdair is at Grade 2. Confident scramblers can continue on slightly more technical terrain along the Cuillin Ridge to other Munros. Notes on alternative approaches are included below.
Standard OS maps can be unclear in this terrain - Harvey's Superwalker map and the SMC's Scrambles on Skye guidebook are highly recommended (see below). Alternatively, hiring a guide can enhance enjoyment and safety - The Highland Mountain Company offers experiences like a 2-day Cuillin Ridge Traverse, a 4-day Munro course or tailored experiences.
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Route description
1. Getting to Glenbrittle
The Glenbrittle Memorial Hut
From Sligachan on the A87, take the A863 west towards Carbost. Shortly before entering Carbost, turn left at a junction near a rough campsite, following signs for Glen Brittle.
This single-track road, with frequent passing places, crosses moorland and heads through forestry plantations before descending into Glen Brittle. It passes the large car park for the Fairy Pools and continues down the glen past the Glenbrittle Youth Hostel and onto Glenbrittle Memorial Hut.
Limited parking is available by the hut, one of the two starting points for the hike. The other start point is at Glenbrittle Campsite where there roadside parking for around 25 vehicles by its entrance at the road's end.
2. Coire Lagan
From the Glenbrittle Memorial Hut :
A path starts just south of the hut, beside some old sheep sheilings, and climbs gently over grass. It crosses a footbridge over the Allt Coire na Banachdich, then follows the river's southern bank, passing several waterfalls. Ignore two paths on the left (one leading to Coire na Banachdich, the other towards Sgurr Dearg) and continue on the main trail past Loch an Fhir-bhallaich as it winds toward Coire Lagan.
From Glenbrittle Campsite :
Walk through the campsite past the facilities and cross a stile over a fence. The path ascends and crosses a track, heading east toward the dark buttresses of the Cuillin. After about 1km, a junction in the paths is reached 
- keep left towards Coire Lagan (the right-hand path leads to Coir' a' Ghrunnda and the Sgurr Sgumain approach to Sgurr Alasdair).
Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute
into a well-worn trail that climbs into Coire Lagan, eventually levelling off at the shore of Lochan Coire Lagan 
, dramatically surrounded by the ridges and peaks of Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, and Sgurr Dearg.Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute
3. Sgurr Alasdair
At the top of the Great Stone Chute, looking to Sgurr Dearg
At the lochan's eastern end, a path leads uphill through mixed terrain to the base of the Great Stone Chute 
- a prominent line of scree descending from the col between Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Thearlaich.
Though it looks daunting, this 300m scree climb is the easiest route up Sgurr Alasdair. The lower part consists of loose, pale stone with an obvious line to follow. With height gained, the terrain becomes rockier, with larger boulders replacing the finer scree. Persevere, and the col 
between Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr Thearlaich is reached, with the view opening up over the southern Cuillin peaks.
There's a small stone-shelter circle on the col's southern side and from here, the final push to Sgurr Alasdair's summit begins by heading around the back of the ridge crest (on the Coir' a' Ghrunnda side). Turning to face the rock, a clear scrambling line emerges. The route climbs through and over shattered rock and boulders. A narrow ledge offers brief respite on route. Although the scrambling is at Grade 2, it feels relatively straightforward, though the exposure can be quite sensational.
On Sgurr Alasdair's summit, Gars-bheinn beyond
is small and compact, but the panoramic views on a clear day - across Skye, the Inner Hebrides, and out to the sea - are truly spectacular.On Sgurr Alasdair's summit, Gars-bheinn beyond
4. Return
Heading back out of Coire Lagan
The most practical descent is to retrace steps along the crest and down to the col, then down the Great Stone Chute into Coire Lagan.
In the past, the descent was a fast and fun scree run. However, decades of foot traffic have displaced the smaller stones, leaving the upper chute loose, unstable, and more of a careful scramble than a slide.
5. Via Coir' a' Ghrunnda
Route up Sgurr Alasdair from Coir' a' Ghrunnda
Sgurr Alasdair can also be approached from Coir' a' Ghrunnda, perhaps while extending a route from Sgurr nan Eag and Sgurr Dubh Mor, or from heading up Sron na Ciche and Sgurr Sgumain. Beginning easily enough, but becoming progressively more technical and challenging, routes from this direction are best suited to experienced scramblers. The scrambling reaches Grade 3...
Just below Bealach Sgumain with its weird pinnacles, is a small cave - this is reached either from Sgurr Sgumain 
, or from Sgurr Dubh Mor by traversing on top of screes under Sgurr Alasdair's cliffs.
Instead of heading up to the bealach where a 'bad step' on the crest blocks progress, head east from the cave, where the base of a chimney is reached. The scramble up this chimney is around 25m and although the rock is now somewhat polished, it is solid and easier to ascend than it initially looks.
Chimney detail from the cave below Bealach Sgumain
Chimney detail from the cave below Bealach Sgumain
6. Sgurr Thearlaich and to the Cuillin Ridge
Sgurr Alasdair lies slightly west of the main Cuillin Ridge - to gain the ridge, the nearby peak of Sgurr Thearlaich 
needs to be ascended. The difficulty level is around Grade 3 ...
From the top of the Great Stone Chute and on the Coir' a' Ghrunnda side, head south-southeast down a faint path on scree under Sgurr Thearlaich's crest. Lose a little height until you find a distinct crack in the rock of Sgurr Thearlaich - this is the way up. If you near the base of the scree slope, you're above steep ground and have gone too far !
Above the crack on Sgurr Thearlaich's southern crest
Above the crack on Sgurr Thearlaich's southern crest
Route profile »
Maps and GPX downloads »
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The rock on Skye is magnetic in places and can therefore occasionally render a compass unreliable. Overhanging rock can also interfere with GPS signal.
Information on maps and GPX files is on this page.
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Weather forecasts »
| Regional | MWIS - Northwest Highlands |
| Peak specific | Mountain Forecast.com Met Office YR.no |
| Seasonal | SAIS - Torridon Midge forecast |
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