Bruach na Frithe

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Summary

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 extremely rocky and rough terrain. Navigation is very difficult in mist, especially as compasses do not function correctly on the ridge.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Some parts pathless, with much rocky ground and scree slopes. Any real scrambling can be avoided.

Public Transport

Buses from Portree, Broadford and Kyleakin - get off at Sligachan Hotel.

Start

Lay-by near Sligachan on the Dunvegan road. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.75km / 8.5 miles
Time: 5 - 7 hours
Ascent: 947m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG484296

Summits Climbed

Munro: Bruach na Frithe

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Walk Description

User reports (38)

Stage 1

Take the road toward Dunvegan from Sligachan and park at the layby 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 Mòr (Big Red Stream), which has many beautiful natural pools to add interest. The Pinnacle Ridge of Sgùrr nan Gillean slowly comes into view over to the left, looking much more impressive than it does from Sligachan.

Stage 2

After about 3km the path forks - keep left here, then left again at the following fork, after which the path crosses a burn. 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.

Stage 3

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. This is a dramatic place with remarkable rock features all around. The layout is complex and very confusing in mist. In clearer conditions, the dramatic fang of rock known as the Basteir Tooth stands in front of the cliffs of Am Basteir. 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 Sgùrr a Fionn Choire, which is less fearsome than the Tooth (and can be ascended by keen scramblers).

Stage 4

The peak to the left is Sgùrr a' Basteir which can be ascended from here as a detour - well worthwhile for the absolutely classic view of Sgùrr nan Gillean and its amazing Pinnacle Ridge. There is some easy scrambling at first as the ridge descends, then easy walking continues along or beside the narrow ridge to the summit of Sgùrr a' Bhasteir. Retrace your steps back to the bealach after making the detour.

Stage 5

To reach Bruach Na Frithe, follow a path in the scree below Sgùrr 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.

Stage 6

There are great views back of Am Basteir and Sgùrr a' Fionn Choire. On the final climb to the summit Bruach na Frithe, the easiest route is to keep left of the low crags.

Stage 7

Bruach Na Frithe's shapely summit has a trig point - the only one on the Cuillin ridge - and is 958m 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.

Stage 8

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 rough bypass path which is easier to find in descent. This path heads along the left side of the northwest ridge and keeps a little below the crest on steep scree and rough ground (In ascent scramblers will prefer to keep to a series of easy dykes, much closer to the ridge crest and on the same flank). The path passes between a prominent rock and the ridge at one point, looking like a gatepost, before continuing along the line of basalt dykes. Below the steep section, the ridge crest is regained for a final narrow and airy but easy section.

Stage 9

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. Now retrace your outward route back to Sligachan, passing the many lovely pools along the way.

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