Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh and Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh
Two exposed scrambling Munros on the main Cuillin ridge, via the An Dorus gap.
- Distance
- 9.6 km
- Ascent
- 960 m
- Time
- 4–5.5 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Out and back
- High point
- 972 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh and Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh is a hard 9.6 km out-and-back walk with 960 m of ascent, taking 4 to 5.5 hours. It starts at Glenbrittle youth hostel (grid reference NG 409 225). It climbs 2 listed hills, the highest Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh at 972 m.
From Glen Brittle, the route climbs into Coire a' Ghreadaidh and up to An Dorus, a narrow gap in the ridge. From An Dorus, scrambles lead north to Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh and south to Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh.
Both are exposed and need confident scrambling. Return to An Dorus and down the corrie. This is a scrambling route on exposed rock, not a walk: you'll need a head for heights, experience of moving on steep ground, and calm conditions. Many people hire a guide. The Cuillin are made of gabbro and basalt, and compasses are unreliable on them. In mist, routes are very hard to find. Many people climb the Cuillin Munros with a guide.
Route
-
1
Coire a' Ghreadaidh
Follow the path into the corrie and climb to An Dorus.
-
2
The two summits
Scramble north to Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh and south to Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh, then return down the corrie.
Summits
972 m
Other routes up these hills
Questions about this walk
- How long does Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh and Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh take?
- Most walkers take 4–5.5 hours for the 9.6 km route, which has 960 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Glenbrittle youth hostel (grid reference NG 409 225). Parking near the youth hostel in Glen Brittle.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded hard. Corrie path; steep scree; exposed grade 2/3 scrambles.
- Which hills does it climb?
- Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh (972 m, Munro); Sgurr a' Mhadaidh (918 m, Munro).
- Can I take my dog?
- It isn't recommended for dogs.
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Walks nearby
All walks near Portree
Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh from Glenbrittle youth hostel
Glenbrittle youth hostel
9.3 km · 960 m · 4–5 h