Southern Cuillin and Coire Ghrunnda

Summary

The southernmost Cuillin peaks have the finest sea views in the whole range, and give a long, rough day. Sgùrr nan Eag involves moderate scrambling; Sgùrr Dubh Mòr (which can be omitted) is a hard scramble.

Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

If Sgùrr Dubh Mòr is omitted, moderate scrambling is needed for the entry to Coire Ghrunnda and for the ascent of Sgùrr nan Eag (also much scree). With Sgùrr Dubh Mòr , hard scrambling is involved (walk grade 5)

Getting there

Start

Parking at Glen Brittle above the beach.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NG408206

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15km / 9.25 miles
Time: 7 - 11 hours
Ascent: 1159m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Munro: Sgùrr nan Eag
Munro: Sgùrr Dubh Mòr

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 411 - Cuillin Hills

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

ROUTE SPONSORED BY

Walk Description

User reports (21)

Stage 1

Park just before the campsite at the end of the Glen Brittle road. The walk starts up the prominent path just left of the campsite toilet block. The early part of the route was once an eroded swamp, but following extensive works there is now an excellent pitched-stone constructed footpath. Go straight across at a rough track, then higher up turn right at a fork onto the path for Coire Ghrunnda, soon crossing a burn.

Stage 2

The path swings round the base of Sròn na Cìche before heading up the left side of lower Coire Ghrunnda. The base of the corrie is made up of huge sweeps of bare, glaciated slabs - impressive to look at but difficult to negotiate. Keep to the path which climbs high up the left side of the corrie.

Stage 3

Further on the path descends closer to the stream (with a cascading waterfall) and the way up to the upper corrie is barred by cliffs. The route can be continued by a moderate scramble up the rocks to the left of the waterfall. Just beyond, Coire Ghrunnda is reached. This is one of the most beautiful and impressive of all the Cuillin corries, benefiting from being much less visited than Coire Lagan.

Stage 4

To continue the ascent, head round to the right of the loch and then begin to climb the steep boulder field beyond aiming almost directly for Sgùrr nan Eag - there are a few small paths but you need to plan your route from the vantage point of the loch in order to avoid any crags (an easier, though longer route, would be to climb the boulders to the left of the prominent boss of rock, Caisteal a Garbh Choire and once on the ridge follow the path to the left to regain the route). The boulders in the coire give awkward going but have exceptionally good friction; they are made of peridotite, a variant of gabbro which is even rougher than normal.

Stage 5

Once on the ridge the views - both over to Coruisk and back down over Coire Ghrunnda to Sgùrr Alasdair- are breathtaking. Turn right along the ridge. The ascent to Sgùrr nan Eag can either be made fairly directly up the ridge (moderate scrambling) or by using a path in the scree lower down on the right (no scrambling; careful route finding needed).

Stage 6

The summit cairn is in the centre of the long, narrow summit ridge. At 924m this is the southernmost of the Cuillin Munros. The easiest way back is to return the same way. It is possible to continue all the way along the ridge to Gars-bheinn, where the Cuillin end above the sea - this is a delightful excursion but the return should still be made over Sgùrr nan Eag. Keen scramblers and Munro-baggers may want to include Sgùrr Dubh Mòr in the day's itinerary.

Stage 7

To take in Sgùrr Dubh Mòr , return along the ridge to Caisteal a Garbh Coire, and avoid this obstacle by passing round its base to the right. Beyond the bealach, the ascent of Sgùrr Dubh na Da Bheinn is a rocky scramble (keep slightly to the left of the ridge). From the summit, bear east down to the bealach, and then you must find a route up Sgùrr Dubh Mòr beyond.

Stage 8

The normal route is to head round to the right a little before finding a way up from ledge to ledge until the summit is reached. Either way, the ascent is a hard scramble and involves very tricky route finding; if at all unsure, why not hire a guide. With luck, the summit ridge of Sgùrr Dubh Mòr will be reached - there is a first cairn and then a second summit which may be marginally the higher of the two.

Stage 9

Return to Sgùrr Dubh na Da Bheinn. The return to Coire Ghrunnda can be made either by heading back down to Caisteal a Garbh Coire and descending from there, or by heading along the ridge towards the Thearlaich-Dubh gap before descending the boulders. Once back at the lochan, the return is by the route of ascent.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?