The Sgùrr of Eigg

Summary

Climb to the top of the incredible and unique Sgùrr of Eigg for truly fantastic views over the other Small Isles and across to Skye and Ardnamurchan. The route is fairly straightforward given the formidale appearance of the Sgurr, but it does involve a steep climb and very simply rocky scrambling along the ridge - care is needed.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Steep path, very boggy in parts. The ridge is broad but involves crossing rocky terrain.

Public Transport

Ferry to Eigg pier from Mallaig, limited summer service from Arisaig.

Start

Eigg ferry pier. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 403m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM484838

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: An Sgùrr of Eigg

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

At the pier is Am Laimhrig which houses the island shop, cafe / restaurant, public toilets and showers, and a craft shop. The latter sells a pack of postcards of the waymarked walks on Eigg including this route up An Sgùrr which is marked with red paint. From the pier take the road heading uphill, passing to the left of the stone which commemorates the community taking ownership of the island. After a long period of troublesome absentee landlords, the residents of Eigg bought the island in 1997 in partnership with the Highland Council and Scottish Wildlife Trust. Since then a number of initiatives have been undertaken to ensure a sustainable community can exist on Eigg and to provide accommodation and facilities for visitors.

Stage 2

The road crosses a cattle grid, becomes a track and continues up into the woods. Pass the turning to the Lodge and Community Hall on the right and continue uphill. At the gate continue through the field heading for the house at Galmisdale, which is dominated by the Sgùrr rising magnificently behind it.

Stage 3

As you near Galmisdale House stay on the track which curves to the right and reaches a gate. Go through the gate and turn left along the track. This track eventually leads to Grulin, an abandoned settlement. For the Sgurr, leave it after a short distance at a small cairn and red waymarker showing a small path branching off to the right. Follow this path up over the heather and bracken moorland. There are already good views looking back over the sea.

Stage 4

Keep following the waymarkers as the path heads directly for the massive prow of An Sgurr. The impressive peak was originally a lava flow from the volcano on Rum about 58 million years ago. The lava followed an old river bed, filling the glen. Over subsequent millions of years, the pitchstone lava, which is harder than the surrounding basalt, withstood erosion and was left standing as the surrounding rock was worn away both gradually over time and more quickly during times of glaciation. Now the mile-long ridge stands proud, with the summit at 393 metres.

Stage 5

The path now bears right to head along the north side of An Sgurr. This section can be very boggy. There are good views to the mountains of Rum over the lochans ahead. Approximately a third of the way along the bottom of the cliff, the path heads left to climb up a groove in the rock.

Stage 6

The path is straightforward but steep. This leads up to a wide bealach in the ridge; continue to the far side of this, where there are stunning views down towards the island of Muck.

Stage 7

From the far end of the bealach turn left, following occasional paint marks up a rocky staircase and then continuing along the south side of the ridge to reach the summit, marked by a cylindrical trig point.

Stage 8

The views are spectacular in all directions, given great depth by the vertical precipices all around - although out of sight, take great care especially in windy weather. On a fine day, the view over the northern part of Eigg is backed by the Cuillin of Skye.

Stage 9

From the nose there is a stunning aerial view down - clearly you can't head back this way! Instead the return route is by the same outward path, all the way to the start. It is possible to descend the south side to Grulin by heading down the extremely steep heathery slope from the bealach, opposite the point where the outward route reached the ridge. However this option is very rough and steep and should be attempted only by experienced hillwalkers with good navigation skills to find the correct line and, in high summer, the energy to wade through high bracken before the track at Grulin is reached.

Route Profile

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