Sgùrr Dearg
Sgùrr Dearg is located in the heart of the famous Cuillin mountain range on the Isle of Skye. Not to be confused with Beinn Dearg, also on the island (Beinn being a generic Gaelic name for a hill, Sgùrr means a jagged peak and Dearg means red). The summit is topped by The Inaccessible Pinacle, a fifty metre high rock that can only be reached with climbing equipment. In fact, it is the only Scottish Munro (peak over 3,000 feet) requiring special equipment. The views from the ridge are impressive and magnificent, a true high mountain atmosphere.
Visibility of the trail varies from very good at the start and on the way back, to just a few traces at the end of the ascent. We strongly recommend that you have a GPS device or, failing that, a map and an excellent sense of direction. The route is mainly rocky, with many scrambling sections, very steep scree and some very vertiginous stretches.
More details on the hike
The hike starts at the entrance to Glenbrittle. The car park has only a handful of spaces. If it is full there is a larger car park at the end of the road, about a kilometer away. A very good footpath leads up to the magnificent Eas Mòr waterfalls and their wooded gorges. A little further up, at the junction, turn left to follow the loop clockwise. This will make the descent easier to negotiate. The path initially runs alongside the river and then becomes increasingly rocky. Try to spot the cairns if the path is not clearly visible. A GPS device or map and a good sense of direction are essential for this hike. The slopes get steeper and steeper. After crossing a couloir in slippery, very steep scree, you reach the Cuillins ridge. From here, the summit is fairly easy to reach. Take advantage of this exceptional view for a well-deserved break!
On the way back, continue along the ridge to the southwest. You'll have to negotiate a few short exposed passages. The descent then becomes less technical, mainly over scree. Turn right at the junction with the path to Coire Lagan. This will bring you back to the original path, which you should follow to the car park.
➡️ Hiking parameters
➡️ Hiking parameters
➡️ Hiking parameters
More details on the hike
The hike starts at the entrance to Glenbrittle. The car park has only a handful of spaces. If it is full there is a larger car park at the end of the road, about a kilometer away. A very good footpath leads up to the magnificent Eas Mòr waterfalls and their wooded gorges. A little further up, at the junction, turn left to follow the loop clockwise. This will make the descent easier to negotiate. The path initially runs alongside the river and then becomes increasingly rocky. Try to spot the cairns if the path is not clearly visible. A GPS device or map and a good sense of direction are essential for this hike. The slopes get steeper and steeper. After crossing a couloir in slippery, very steep scree, you reach the Cuillins ridge. From here, the summit is fairly easy to reach. Take advantage of this exceptional view for a well-deserved break!
On the way back, continue along the ridge to the southwest. You'll have to negotiate a few short exposed passages. The descent then becomes less technical, mainly over scree. Turn right at the junction with the path to Coire Lagan. This will bring you back to the original path, which you should follow to the car park.
Slideshow
Nearby hikes
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