The Cuillin Ridge Traverse
- Aim: to traverse the Cuillin Ridge.
- Duration: 3 days.
- Dates: May-June 2025.
- Location: the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
- Price: £790 per person, £1100 per 2 people.
- The Cuillin is the longest alpine mountain ridge in Scotland, stretching 13 kilometres and featuring 11 Munros, with a total of 3,000 metres of ascent. It involves a mix of walking, scrambling, climbing, and abseiling. For those looking for a true challenge, the Cuillin Ridge traverse is the ultimate prize.
- The traverse is only recommended for fit and competent hillwalkers, scramblers, and mountaineers due to the difficult terrain and changeable weather. Frequent rain, wind, and sudden weather changes can make it very challenging, even during the summer months.
- A successful traverse of the Cuillin Ridge requires a minimum of two long days, with one or two nights spent bivouacking. To increase the chances of success, it is best to attempt the challenge with a guide on 1:1 ratio or 2:1 with a partner you know well. Our standard three-day programme is a premium product. It includes some flexibility to account for weather disruptions. The first day is normally used for logistics, training, and approach. The second and the third days are used for the traverse itself.
- The traditional route is done south to north in the summer. The approach takes 3 hours, 7 kilometres, 800 metres up, to gain the ridge from Glenbrittle and start at Gars-bheinn. It is possible to bivvy in Coire Ghrunnda or near the start the night before, and this is our preferred tactics. The route backtracks north over Sgurr nan Eag, tackles the TD gap (UK climbing grade Severe), heads onto Sgurr Alasdair, descends the exposed slabs to Sgurr Thearlaich towards Sgurr MhicChoinnich, climbs this by King’s Chimney (UK climbing grade Difficult), goes over the Inaccessible Pinnacle (UK climbing grade Moderate) onto Sgurr na Banachdaich. The bivouac is between Sgurr na Banachdaich and Bidean. The route continues up and over Sgurr a Ghreadaidh and the four tops of Sgurr a Mhadaidh, Bidean Druim nan Ramh, An Casteal, walks the long section up to the summit of Bruach na Frithe, climbs Am Bastier via Lota Coire route, then the West Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean and the final peak. The hard sections can be bypassed in case of deteriorating weather conditions. Sometimes it makes sense to bypass Bidean Druim nan Ramh to avoid two abseils. The total moving time on the ridge is around 15 hours. The descent from Sgurr nan Gillean to Sligachan is 2 hours, 6 kilometres.
- The list of Cuillin Munros from south to north, included in the traverse: Sgurr nan Eag 924 metres, Sgur Dubh Mor 944 metres, Sgurr Alasdair 992 metres, Sgurr Mhicchoinnich 948 metres, Sgurr Dearg – The Inaccessible Pinnacle 986 metres, Sgurr na Banachdaich 965 metres, Sgur a’ Mhadaidh 918 metres, Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh 973 metres, Bruach na Frithe 958 metres, Am Bastier 934 metres, Sgurr nan Gillean 964 metres.
- The traverse requires careful preparation. Please use the enquiries form to discuss your booking.
