Sgùrr Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle
The hardest Munro: a blade of rock on Sgùrr Dearg that needs a rock climb and an abseil.
- Distance
- 11.3 km
- Ascent
- 1010 m
- Time
- 4.5–6 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Out and back
- High point
- 986 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 Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle is a hard 11.3 km out-and-back walk with 1,010 m of ascent, taking 4.5 to 6 hours. It starts at Glenbrittle youth hostel (grid reference NG 409 225). It climbs Inaccessible Pinnacle (Sgurr Dearg) (986 m), a Munro.
The Inaccessible Pinnacle is a fin of gabbro perched on the summit of Sgùrr Dearg, and its top is the Munro. The route walks up from Glen Brittle and scrambles onto Sgùrr Dearg; from there, the Pinnacle's east ridge is a graded rock climb with huge exposure, and the descent is an abseil.
You need ropes, climbing experience or a guide. Most people hire a guide for the Pinnacle. 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
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1
Sgùrr Dearg
Climb from Glen Brittle and scramble up the west ridge of Sgùrr Dearg.
-
2
The Pinnacle
Climb the east ridge of the Inaccessible Pinnacle and abseil off. Retrace your steps to the start.
Summit
Inaccessible Pinnacle (Sgurr Dearg)
986 m
On the way
-
Eas MòrWaterfall · 100 m from the route
Other routes up Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle
Questions about this walk
- How long does Sgùrr Dearg and the Inaccessible Pinnacle take?
- Most walkers take 4.5–6 hours for the 11.3 km route, which has 1,010 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. Path and scree; a scramble to Sgùrr Dearg; a roped rock climb and abseil on the Inaccessible Pinnacle.
- Which hill does it climb?
- Inaccessible Pinnacle (Sgurr Dearg) (986 m, Munro).
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Technical rock climb: a rope, harness and the skills to abseil are essential.
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