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Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse Guides | Elite Guides
A Guided Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse with a Qualified Skye Cuillin Guide
Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse Guides
Book a Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse Guide from Elite Guides for a challenging and memorable experience on Britain's greatest Ridge.
A Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse is considered to be one of the greatest routes in the country. It is 12km end to end and every bit of it requires your full concentration. It is usually done over a two day period with an overnight bivvy on the ridge, this is a big challenge. Hiring an experienced Skye Cuillin Guide can help improve your chances of success but it is never a sure thing. There are 11 Munros on the main Skye Cuillin Ridge and a Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse can take in all of these as part of your journey
We offer flexible dates to suit you through the summer with qualified and experienced, Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse Guides.
People thinking about a Skye Cuillin Ridge traverse should be experienced hillwalkers and scramblers with a high level of fitness, previous experience of Skye is a big bonus. Your Skye Guide will help you every step of the way but does not guarantee your success, it is up to you to be as fit and capable as you can so as to improve your chances.
Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse Guide Prices
Below is a full list of prices for a Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse Guide. If the weather allows a traverse to happen, one day of your course will be a rest day. e.g a 3-day course will just become a 2-day traverse if the forecast is appropriate.
If the weather does not allow a traverse then you will have 3 separate days of guiding. These may be sections of the ridge or classic routes, or even be some rock climbing elsewhere on Skye or the surrounding area.
- 3-day traverse course - 1 or 2 people - £1100
- 4-day traverse course - 1 or 2 people - £1400
- 5-day traverse course - 1 or 2 people - £1600
You can view a full kit list
here
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What is involved in a Cuillin Ridge Traverse?
A Cuillin Ridge traverse is a physically hard and psychological challenge.
Usually done over two days, you can expect to be 'on the go' for approximately 12 hours on day one and a further 10 hours on day two. Carrying all of your equipment and food, along with having what will probably be a poor night's sleep on the Ridge.
The whole time you will need to be concentrating on where your feet are going, as you traverse some very serious and exposed terrain. There are some sections of the ridge that are broader and less exposed but even a slip or stumble here could put an end to your traverse.
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What experience and fitness level is required?
If you are contemplating a Cuillin Ridge traverse, you should be currently active in the hills or have a higher level of fitness from running/cycling etc.
You should be aiming to regularly run 15-20 km about once a week. Or regularly completing big 10 - 12 hour days in the UK mountains.
You should have some current experience in scrambling/mountaineering, either in the UK or abroad. Long Alpine routes or easier graded rock climbs would also be advantageous but not essential.
UK experience of routes like the Aonach Eagach, An Teallach, Liacthach, Tower Ridge etc would be a good starting point. You should be completing these routes in a confident and speedy manner, if these routes are near your limit then you should be thinking about getting more experience.
It is not necessary fr you to have experience of rock climbing but it is certainly useful. Even some sessions at a local climbing wall would give you a small advantage.
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What kit is required?
You can find a full kit list for a traverse on our website here.
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What footwear is best for a traverse?
This is a question many people have. Footwear advice has changed a lot over recent years and there are lots of advantages to both boots and approach shoes on the Cuillin traverse. Ultimately we would suggest whatever you wear normally would be best, as you are used to them and how they perform.
If you are looking, then we would suggest approach shoes from manufacturers like La Sportive and Scarpa to be a good choice.
Something that is light, good for scrambling and climbing but comfortable for long days. Some have slightly higher ankles, which can be good for protecting your ankles in the rougher terrain, like the scree.
Your boots do not need to be waterproof, if you are going for a traverse, as you would be doing it in good weather but shoes with a waterproof membrane are good for other days out on the mountains.
Cuillin traverse enquiry
There are many variations on the Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverse but traditionally it is done South to North in the Summer months, starting at either Gars Bheinn or Sgurr nan Eag. From here you continue north, either tackling the TD gap or bypassing this and heading onto Sgurr Alasdair.
Next up is some of the best and most exposed slabs of the route as you descend Sgurr Thearlaich towards Sgurr MhicChoinnich. Either climb this by Kings Chimney or by heading around and under using the very famous Collie's or Hart's ledge. Next is a quick hit over the Inaccessible Pinnacle and onto Sgurr na Banachdaich.
On a South, to North traverse, it is normal to bivvy somewhere between Sgurr na Banachdaich and Bealach na Glac Mhor. These have some of the larger and more comfortable spots to bivi along with easier access to water. Sit down recuperate, eat and drink and watch the sun go down.
An early start on day two sees you up and away and over the tops of Sgurr a Ghreadaidh and the four tops of Sgurr a Mhadaidh (depending on where you bivi). The complex peak of Bidean Druim nan Ramh, involving graded rock climbing and abseils, An Caisteal and the long section back up the hill to the summit of Bruach na Frithe. The end is in sight but there is still a lot more scrambling and climbing to be done. Either climb Am Bastier via Naismith's or Lota Coire route and then on and over the West Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean and the final peak.
A big well done, high 5's and pats on the back but don't forget you have to get back to the Sligachen before it is all really over.
Our Skye Cuillin Ridge Traverses are a minimum of three days with the two best days being used if the weather is right for a traverse. If a traverse is not possible you will have three full days out instead. The weather on Skye like anywhere on the West coast of Scotland is changeable and the more time you can put aside for your traverse the higher chance of a weather window.
