Cuillin Munros Guide

A good introduction to the Cuillin, our first day takes on the long walk in to Coir’ a Ghrunnda.There is some scrambling to get up to the Lochan which is just under 700m high, which starts as a good warm up to the day. We usually head up Sgurr nan Eag, the most Southern Munro on the main ridge. This is mainly rough walking with the odd bit of scrambling. We’ll descend the ascent route before heading on to Sgurr Dubh Mor. There are a couple of ways to access this peak, both of them involve some short steps of grade 2 scrambling in which we may use rope to safeguard you. Heading back onto the main ridge, we’ll descend from Sgurr Dubh an-Da Bheinn, underneath the TD gap and along to the Sgurr Sgumain Cave. A short chimney of around grade 3/moderate climbing gains us the SW ridge of Sgurr Alasdair, the highest peak in the Cuillin. A descent of the short SW ridge involves some grade 2 scambling which leads to the top of the Great Stone Chute, which is our descent route back into Coire Lagan.

Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, Inaccessible Pinnacle and Sgurr na Banachdaich

This is one of the harder days when Munro Bagging on the Cuillin. We walk into Coire Lagan and ascend the edge of the An Stac screes to gain the main ridge at Bealach Coire Lagan. A there and back to Sgurr Mhic Choinnich sees us tackling some grade 2 scrambling with some exposed parts on some very airy slabs before reaching the small summit cairn. Retracing our steps back to the bealach, we then ascend the slabs underneath the imposing buttress of An Stac before arriving athe base of the Inaccessible Pinnacle. We’ll climb the fantastically exposed East ridge in 2 pitches (rope lengths) before we coach you through the abseil off of the steeper West ridge. A short break on Sgurr Dearg and we’ll head on over to Sgurr na Bannachdich which is mainly rough walking to bag our 3rd Munro of the day. A descent down Coire an Eich sees us back down to Glen Brittle.

Sgurr a Greadaidh and Sgurr a Mhadaidh

The shorter of the 4 days, this route takes us into Coire an Dorus before we ascend the steep scree into An Dorus (the Doorway).The ridge onto Sgurr a Ghreadaidh is reached after a Moderate climb out of An Dorus and we tackle various sections of grade 2 scrambling, passing Eag Dubh and the Wart before reaching the airy summit cairn. Retracing our route back down the tricky step into An Dorus, we’ll head over to Sgurr a Mhadaidh, a slightly easier Munro with some moves of grade 1/2 scrambling. A descent back into An Dorus and back through the Coire sees us with another 2 Munros in the bag!

Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe

Another of the more technical days, we’ll head into Coire a Bhasteir from Sligachan and up the screes to Bealach a Bhasteir. The West ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean is usually first on our agenda. This involves some Moderate rock climbing to gain access to the ridge. Some grade 2 scambling sees us reaching the ‘window’ before arriving at the spectacularly airy summit. A descent back down the ridge and a 20m abseil takes us back to the bealach. Am Basteir involves some tricky and exposed scrambling on the crest with a short sting in the tail in the form of the ‘Bad Step’. We’ll coach you down this before making our final short climb to the summit. Reversing our route, the Bad Step is much easier in ascent. Our final Munro is Bruach na Frithe and a walk underneath the imposing North wall of Am Basteir takes us to Bealach nan Lice. A short detour and we’ll arrive at the only Trig Point on the Cuillin Ridge. A descent down the lovely Fionn Coire takes us back to the path to Sligachan.

• TECHNICAL KIT
  • Helmet
  • Harness – both of these can be supplied
• PERSONAL CLOTHING/KIT
  • Walking boots/Approach Shoes– e.g. Scarpa Mescalitos, La Sportiva TX 4 mids
  • Wicking baselayer – keeps moisture away from your skin and reduces how cold you feel as a result. Cotton is not suitable.
  • Trekking trousers– Lightweight, fast drying trousers are ideal.
  • Mid layer– to be worn on top of baselayer in cooler conditions, for example a lightweight fleece or Primaloft top.
  • Waterproof jacket
  • Waterproof over trousers
  • Warm hat– e.g. Woollen beanie
  • Gloves– minimum 2 pairs (at least one waterproof pair). Leather gardening style gloves are good for scrambling
  • Spare warm layer– e.g. fleece, synthetic insulation like primaloft,
• OTHER KIT
  • Food and water – around 1-2 litres of water and plenty of snacks and high energy foods to get you through the day.
  • Rucksack – 30 litres- recommended
  • Rucksack liner/Drybags– rucksacks aren’t waterproof so either a large poly-bag liner or several smaller dry-bag type bags recommended.
  • Sun screen, sun glasses – mountain sun can be fierce and the sun does come out occasionally in the Highlands!
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit– e.g. blister plasters, painkillers, medications
  • Whistle
  • Head Torch– for Late Summer/Early Autumn (August onwards)
  • Trekking poles (Optional) – can take 3 tonnes of loading off of your knees over the course of a day- recommended for the Cuillin in particular!

We’ll meet at the Sligachan Hotel between 0730-0800hrs. We can then take one vehicle down to Glen Brittle. Times will be confirmed in advance.

Will I get all 11 Munros done?

As is always the case when going to the mountains, there are no guarantees with any objectives. Getting back down in one piece each day always takes priority over bagging peaks.

The weather will play big part but we can often juggle days around to fit the weather. Arriving on the Island in good physical and mental shape will be huge factor towards getting the Munros completed. Many people underestimate just how hard days on the Cuillin can be.