The Cuillin Ridge Traverse
"The Holy Grail of British Scrambling"
The Isle of Skye offers some of the best mountaineering in the UK!
Climbing the infamous Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye is on par with traversing ridges in the Alps.
The Cuillin Ridge stretching over 12km in length, 4000m of ascent, and decent 11 Munros, over 20 summits of over 914m or 3000ft making it the ideal UK mountaineering challenge!
Traversing the ridge includes technical scrambling, abseiling, rock climbing and a spectacular overnight bivy! Views of the Black Cuillin Mountains cast out in front of you while you cook dinner! Waking up to appreciate the beautiful mountain range silhouetted against the sea of the Inner Hebrides!
Our 4 Day Program
After many successful guided traverses we have found that a 4 day program is highly advantageous for most clients. The 4 day program allows flexibility to make the most of any weather window and provide the ideal opportunity to warm up on some classic Skye scrambles. Four days allow time to gain efficiency moving together as a team, essential for an enjoyable and successful Cuillin Ridge traverse.
Example Itinerary
On the morning of the first day we will meet and brief you about the course, equipment, discuss the weather, conditions and share aspirations and expectations. Following this we will head into the mountains and complete a classic scramble such as; “Amphitheatre Arete” on “Sron na Ciche” to learn new techniques and develop efficient movement and rope work skills in preparation for the traverse.
Jump aboard the speedboat for an exciting start to day 2! Today we begin our traverse of the Cuillin Ridge! From “Elgol” we take a speedboat across to the "loch Coruisk" side of the Cuillin Ridge. Catching a hopeful glimpse at the seal colonies we leave the water behind for the rocks to begin ascending the slopes to the true start of the ridge at the summit of “Gars Bhein”. Alternatively, a more climbing focused option is to climb the immaculate “Dubh Slabs” to the summit of “Sgurr Dubh Mor” the longest rock climb in the UK 2500m!
We continue along the ridge over munros and classic climbs including the “TD gap”, “Collies Ledge” and the well known “Inaccessible Pinnacle”.
After a long and rewarding day we finally reach “An Dorus Gap” where we stop for the night, here you can relax and enjoy dinner surrounded by incredible views at sunset before nodding off under the stars for a nights sleep in your bivi bag.
Waking by the sun, day three begins! The scrambling starts almost immediately as you summit “Sgurr a Mhadaidh”. Today is a slightly shorter day, but just as demanding, with climbs including the brilliant “Am Basteir”, an the stunning final scramble up on the summit of “Sgurr nan Gillian”.
The descent and walk out offers a refreshing possibility for a dip in the beautiful, cool plunge pools before a very well earned stop at the Sligachan Hotel Bar for a drink.
Our fourth and final day allows us to adjust your traverse attempt forwards or backwards to take advantage of the best weather window, dramatically increasing your chances of a successful traverse attempt. Alternatively, the fourth day can be spent climbing, scrambling or sea cliff climbing or even attempt to do the famous “Clach Glas - Bla Bheinn Traverse” and maximise your time on Skye.
This four day course truly is an experience not to be missed and surely never to be forgotten!
"Mike was a great guide and companion for the four days. His knowledge, patience, advice and skills along with a few laughs , got me thru all the challenges presented. Reading about the Cuilins offers little preparation for the awesome experience laid before you. Mike gave me an experience I will never forget! Kind regards John"
(John K Cullin Ridge Traverse May 2019)