Bruach na Frithe is one of the easiest of the Cuillin summits to reach as well as one of the finest viewpoints, but the walk still crosses much rough and rocky ground; navigation would be difficult in mist.
Summary
Pathless in places, much rocky ground and scree slopes. Scrambling can be avoided.
Terrain
NG484296
Grid ref
13.5km/8.25 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Lay-by at Sligachan on the Dunvegan road
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
Buses from Portree, Broadford and Kyleakin - get off at Sligachan Hotel.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Take the road toward Dunvegan from Sligachan and park at the lay-by on the left just after the start of a track to a cottage. Begin the walk by following the track towards the white cottage. A sign indicates where the path heads off to the right before the cottage is reached. From here on, the path is easy to follow as it ascends the moor beside the Allt Dearg Mor (Big Red Stream), which has many beautiful pools to add interest. The Pinnacle Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean slowly comes into view over to the left, looking much more impressive than it does from Sligachan.
2. After about three kilometres a cairn marks the spot to leave the path and cross the stream. The route now ascends the grassy lower reaches of Fionn Choire (the Fair Corrie). Bruach Na Frithe (which isn't visible from Sligachan) is the peak at the head of the corrie, on the right. The path is clear at first, but after it climbs higher and crosses the stream it can be harder to follow. If you lose it, simply continue the ascent of the corrie until reaching a rockier upper bowl. Here the path becomes clearer again as it ascends the rocky ground and scree on the left side of the corrie, with a steep finish up well-worn scree leading to the Bealach na Lice.
Photo: foggieclimber
3. The Bealach na Lice has a complex layout and is confusing in mist. The peak to the left is Sgurr a Basteir and can be easily ascended from here as a detour - well worthwhile for the absolutely classic view of Sgurr nan Gillean and its amazing Pinnacle Ridge. Back at the bealach, looming over some lower crags is the dramatic fang of rock known as the Basteir Tooth. Rock climbers can often be seen making their way across the face to the right. To the right of the tooth is the rock peak of Sgurr a Fionn Choire, which is less fearsome than the Tooth and can be traversed by scramblers. To reach Bruach Na Frithe, follow the path in the scree below Sgurr a Fionn Choire. The paths keep a little below the ridge line to avoid rocky obstacles, until the ridge becomes easier and the ascent begins. On the final climb to Bruach na Frithe, the easiest route is to keep left of the low crags.
Photo: foggieclimber
4. Bruach Na Frithe's shapely summit has a trig point - the only one on the Cuillin ridge - and is 958 metres high, a Munro. The name means Slope of the Deer Forest. It is situated at a bend in the ridge where here turns south, and has amazing views along the Cuillin in both directions. The simplest way back is to return the same way, but It is possible to descend the northwest ridge as an alternative. This ridge is normally regarded as a moderate scramble, but all the difficulties can be avoided by a bypass path which is easier to find in descent.
Photo: malky_c
5. This path heads along the left side of the northwest ridge and descends well below the crest on scree and rough ground. It is easier to follow in descent, and doesn't involve any real scrambling. In ascent scramblers will prefer to keep to a series of easy dykes, much closer to the ridge crest and on the same flank. After passing the steepest part of the ridge the path returns to the crest for the final narrow but easy section, reminiscent of Striding Edge in the Lake District. At the end of the ridge the land falls away more steeply. The worst of any scree can be avoided by sticking to the northern spur rather than the northwest one, to reach a flatter, grassier area. From here it is easy to head down the grassy slope on the right to rejoin the ascent path near where it crossed the stream at the foot of Fionn Choire.
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