Cuillin Ridge Traverse

The Cuillin Ridge Traverse is one of the finest and longest Alpine-style rock routes in Europe. With over 4000 metres (13,000 feet) of ascent it is Britain’s toughest mountaineering challenge. Working with experienced guides we can help make the experience not only successful but also a pleasure.

Our Guides are very proud of their success rate in guiding the Traverse. A lot of preparation goes into the logistical planning of all attempts. Transport, nutrition, equipment and style are all optimised to deal with many variable factors. On the hill precise navigation means that no effort is wasted unnecessarily.

Different styles of Traverse are possible. In all cases the primary objective is to reach “the Summit” of the challenge. This is generally accepted as Sgurr nan Gillean (if traversed from south to north) or Gars bheinn (going north to south). You need to be exceptionally fit with very good balance and a strong head for heights. The ability to move rapidly over exposed and broken terrain is more important than any rock climbing experience.

5 Day Course or 2 Day Attempt?

A Traverse takes approximately 16-20 hours to complete in good weather conditions. An overnight bivouac is normal. Ultimately the weather conditions dictate the style needed. A five-day course maximizes the chances of a suitable weather window for continuous Traverses.

The rest of the course is spent with a suitable mix of training climbs, scrambling and bivouac retrieval. Two-day bookings will be accepted if your time is limited. Prices reflect the cost of private guiding for two individual days should a traverse attempt be unfeasible.

A One-day Traverse is possible for the ultra-fit but is not often recommended. The best time of year for the traverse is generally May and June when there is often stable periods of high pressure that can last for several weeks; and before the emergence of the infamous midges.

Cuillin Ridge Munros

It is possible for a fit hill walker to reach all 12 of the Munro peaks in a 5-day course if the weather is kind. Climbing the Inaccessible Pinnacle is always the priority and is always tackled at the first opportunity.

A week of ideal conditions and battle fit clients breaks down as follows:

Day 1 South end to Alasdair (8 hours)
Day 2 In Pinn & Mic Coinnich (8 hours)
Day 3 Mid section 3 Munros (6.5 hours)
Day 4 North end 3 Munros (8 hours)
Day 5 Bla bheinn (4.5 hours)

Classic Scrambles

These are the routes for which the Cuillin are revered. Minimum walking and maximum scrambling gives an intense day in every way. Upgrading ambitions to attempt a Ridge Traverse may be possible in good weather.

Sample itinerary:

Day 1 Pinnacle ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean
Day 2 Clac Glas & Blaven
Day 3 Round of Coire Lagan
Day 4 The Dubh ridge
Day 5 The Cioch

The Cuillin Ridge Traverse is the most challenging scrambling route in the UK requiring climbing skills and a good fitness level.

For the last 13 years the record for the Cuillin Ridge Traverse has been held by Andy Hyslop who completed the traverse in 3 hours 32 minutes 15 seconds back in 1994.

However, on the 5th May 2007, a new record was set by 27 year old Es Tresidder from Fife who

completed the traverse in 3 hours 17 minutes 28 seconds shaving 15 minutes off the old record.