Overview
Introduction to the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits
The Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits trek is 4 intensive days of walking and scrambling on the 11 Skye Munros found on The Black Cuillin Ridge. A Munro is a Scottish Mountain with a summit height of at least 914m. There are 282 Munros in Scotland, and many agree that these 11 are perhaps the hardest. Due to their technical nature, these Skye Munros require a large amounts of scrambling. Connected by many narrow twisting ridges, navigation is also extremely complex. Completing all The Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits is a huge achievement and for many it is the very pinnacle of their mountaineering accomplishments.
Highlights of the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits
- Chance to summit all 11 Skye Munros on The Cuillin Ridge.
- Climbing The Inaccessible Pinnacle, considered the hardest of all the Munros.
- Qualified and Friendly Mountaineering Instructors.
- Excellent accommodation in walking distance from Portree.
What's Included with this Holiday
- 1 Qualified Mountain Instructor per 2 customers
- Accommodation for 5 nights
- 4 Days of walking/scrambling
- A Full Information Pack
- Maximum total group size of 4
- Safety equipment for the scrambling and climbing
Why Book With Us
Thistle Trekking want to give you the highest chance of succeeding in this challenge. All our guides are qualified Mountaineering Instructors and all are highly experience in these mountains. Equally importantly our guides are friendly, they will encourage and support you throughout. Our guides will work at a ratio of 1:2. Not only does this ensure the highest levels of safety, but also gives you the best chance of successfully completing all The Skye Cuillin Ridge Munros. We also arrange your accommodation; getting good nights sleep and having restful evenings are crucial. All technical equipment is provided, so you will only need your normal hill walking kit.
Is the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits Right For Me?
This is a trip for a confident and fit hillwalker, looking to “compleat” the more technical Munros of the Cuillin ridge. A head for heights is essential and some previous scrambling experience will be valuable. Hill fitness will determine success, as each of the 4 days are taxing on the body.
Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits Guided Walking Itinerary
Daily Plan
Please note the itinerary below is subject to change. Your guide will rearrange your days to make sure that they provide the most appropriate order in regards to the weather and the group. Some days may be lengthened while others shortened in order to create the highest chance of success.
Day 1: Arrive in Portree
Today is your chance to get to the start of the holiday by making your way to Portree, on The Isle of Skye. We will have self-catering accommodation arranged for you, so all you need to do is arrive and settle in. We will be staying here for the duration of the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits trek and so do relax and make yourself at home. In the evening you will get a chance to meet the rest of your group as well as at least one of your guides. Your guide will check your kit and talk to you about what to expect in the coming days.
Day 2: "The Southern Peaks" - Sgurr nan Eag, Sgurr Dubh Mor and Sgurr Alasdair
Today we begin Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits by heading into the southernmost section of the ridge. Starting from Glen Brittle a good path winds its way around Sron na Ciche. This gains height steadily until we see Coire a’ Ghrunnda up ahead. The coire looks impossible to reach with rock slabs, scree and waterfalls guarding its entrance. However, a weakness on the left allows us to breach this barrier and gain the highest of the great Cuillin Coires. A break and a bight to eat later we will head up screes to gain the ridge. From hear you’ll get your first views of the full ridge in all its glory. Then it’s a straight forward out and back excursion to the summit of Sgurr nan Eag, the first of our Skye Munros. The scrambling then begins as we drop back down to the Bealach a Garbh-choire and find our way up the formidable Sgurr Dubh Mor, our second munro. Some of the best views of the ridge as a whole can be found on this narrow summit. From here more scrambling takes us down and around the coire until we can gain Sgurr Alasdair. Further scrambling takes us onto the summit itself, the highest of all the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits and our last one for today. After enjoying this fine position a final short section of scrambling takes us to the great stone shoot from which we make our way back to Glen Brittle. Length; 12km, Height Gain; 1450m, Scrambling Grade; 2
Day 3: "The In Pinn" - Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and The 'Inaccessible Pinnacle'
A classic of Skye, this day you’ll ascend the infamous Inaccessible Pinnacle, considered the hardest of all the Munros. As well as Sgurr Mhic Choinnich, named after one of Skye’s pioneering climbers. We start at the Mountain Rescue hut in Glenbrittle and head up past a spectacular waterfall to the western spur of Sgurr Dearg. Climbing this allows us to warm up nicely and get our heads into gear for an ascent of ‘the Pinn’. We treat this as a rock climb and you will be well looked after with ropes, harnesses and helmets to make sure you can enjoy this spectacular place. An abseil off the In Pinn takes us back to the summit of Sgurr Dearg to continue our day by descending to the Bealach Coire Lagan. From the Bealach easier ground takes us to the foot for Sgurr Mhic Choinnich where we will again head on an out and back excursion to the summit. This is a narrow and exposed ridge provides exhilarating positions, a fitting accompaniment to the In’ Pinn’. All that remains is for a ride down the An Stac screes and we can head out of the now familiar Coire Lagan. Length; 11km, Height Gain; 1200m, Scrambling Grade; 3
Day 4: "The Middle Peaks" - Sgurr na Banachdich, Sgurr a'Ghreadaidh and Sgurr a'Mhadaidh
The round of Coire a’Ghreadaidh takes further up Glen Brittle again. This time head up alongside the stream that runs out of the Coire. A short way up we’ll leave the main path on a faint track which will take us into Coire an Eich with its scree. Working our way up this leads to our first munro of the day; Sgurr na Banachdich. The character of the day changes from here on out. First we drop down to a narrow col between Banachdich and Thormaid before continuing over Thormaid and around its ‘teeth’. Next, we will gain the south ridge of Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh. This ridge provides the crux for the day (although easier than the In Pinn of the previous day) and leads via the south top to the main summit of Sgurr a’Ghreadaidh. From this summit more scrambling leads to An Dorus, a narrow notch in the ridge from which we make another out and back excursion to summit of our final Munro for the day, Sgurr a’Mhadaidh. Once we’ve returned to An Dorus a track takes us back to the van. Length; 10.5km, Height Gain; 1250m, Scrambling Grade; 3
Day 5: "The Northern Peaks" - Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir and Bruach na Frithe
Our final day and one of the best on the Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits trek. This day starts and finishes in Sligachan. From there we head across the Alt Dearg Mor and gradually work our way via Coire Riabhach to the south east ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean. This provides an entertaining scramble finishing on the ‘table top’ summit of Sgurr nan Gillean, descending from this involves some more scrambling and an abseil before we meet Am Bastier. This formidable looking summit provides the last of the main difficulties with its infamous ‘Bad Step’ this short notch in the ridge requires a rope to manage safely but once completed leads more straightforwardly to the summit. We descend from here back to the Bealach (or via more scrambling and an abseil from behind the tooth) before a short and easy ascent takes us to the top of our final Skye Munro, Bruach na Frithe. All that remains is to descend Coire a’ Bhastier back to the Sligachan to celebrate. Length; 14km, Height Gain; 1350m, Scrambling Grade; 3
Day 6: Departure
Today it is time to pack up and make your way home from your exhilarating holiday on The Skye Cuillin Ridge. There is no rush at all though, because you can leave anytime before 12 noon, giving you chance to have a well deserved lie in!
Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits Accommodation Options
All our Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits Courses come with self catering accommodation included.
Self Catering in Portree
Nestled on the shores of Portree Bay is a substantial Georgian House dating from the 1830’s. This self-catering accommodation will be our base for the duration of The Skye Cuillin Munros. Located on the outskirts of Portree, it is within walking distance to local shops, pubs and restaurants. The well-equipped and modern kitchen has a casual eating area and is complete with a fridge, freezer, dishwasher and microwave. There is also a separate utility area providing washing and drying facilities.
In the evening you can relax in the spacious lounge which contains a flatscreen television with Freeview, DVD/CD player, and a large selection of books. The accommodation also has free Wi Fi Broadband internet access. There is also a conservatory overlooking the large walled garden with a view to the Skye Cuillin Munros.
Dates & Prices
The dates of our scheduled treks can be seen below. We also off the option of private bookings for groups. Please get in touch if you'd like to book privately.
Notice: Dates for this trek comming soon.
No Suitable Date?
If there are no dates on this calendar to suit you please let us know, sometimes we can add extra dates if there is enough demand for an extra trip to be added.
Waiting List
If a trek is full but you would like to be added to the waiting list, please do let us know. The waiting list is there so that if anyone drops out of the trek we will contact you and let you know, so you can take their place on the trek instead.
Future Dates
Our trekking calendar is released a year in advance each spring. Keep an eye on the 'Year Planner' in the menu above, or send us a request for an email alert when the latest calendar is published. If you are keen to book early and secure a trek on a date to suit you, do feel free to get in contact with us to suggest a date
Pricing
Price for Self Catering in Portree:
The price of this trip is £1229 per person (solo occupancy room with shared facilities).
To book this trip we will require a £200 deposit per person with the rest to be paid a month before your trip.
A discount is available for a 2-person booking wishing to share a twin/double room.
How to Book
Booking is simple, you can either phone us, email us or use our online shopping cart below.
Book Skye Cuillin Ridge Summits Online
What Happens Once you Have Booked
Once we have received your booking (either through the online shopping cart, email or phone). We will then confirm with you that your accommodation option and room type, single, twin or double, is available. We will then send you a full booking form and information about paying your deposit for your trek. All deposits can be paid by cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card. Once we have received back both your booking form and deposit we will let you know and your place on the trip will be secure.