This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.
Total Ascent
925 m
An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.
Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.
Route Time
4 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
10.94 km
The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.
Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
The Cuillin should not be attempted unless you are comfortable with scrambling and exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent.
Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.
We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.
Travel Information
Head to: Sligachan
From Sligachan Hotel (A863) head W 200m to start of path.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 925 metres. Allow 4 hours to complete this 10.94 km route.
In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.
The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.
Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.
The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.
Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.
Route Information
Waypoint Detail
Start from A863 road 200m W of Sligachan Hotel
NG48342970
Distance
Altitude 20 m
1
Cross S over Allt Dearg Mor and continue SSE to bridge over Allt Dearg-beag
NG47472787
Distance 2.26 km
Altitude 90 m
2
Cross river and head S 1km
NG47602692
Distance 1.02 km
Altitude 280 m
3
Leave path and ascend WSW on base of ridge
NG47142666
Distance 0.54 km
Altitude 400 m
4
Ascend S on west of ridge to reach Coire a' Basteir
NG47162579
Distance 0.87 km
Altitude 654 m
5
Ascend S using scree slope
NG47092551
Distance 0.32 km
Altitude 800 m
6
Traverse SW to reach ridge near Bealach a Bhasteir
NG46842528
Distance 0.34 km
Altitude 782 m
7
Scramble (difficult!) W to summit of Am Basteir
NG46572530
Distance 0.28 km
Altitude 934 m
8
Return by same route
NG48342970
Distance 5.33 km
Altitude 20 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
The ENE aspect of Am Basteir, seen on the approach to the Bealach a' Bhasteir (left) below Sgurr nan Gillean's west ridge. This shows the true extent and steepness of the traverse below Am Basteir's N face to reach the col with Sgurr a' Bhasteir (right).
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 6 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Brian Howarth
on 09 Sep 2011:
Harder than most books make it sound. Taking bad step descent
directly with a rope is better than trying to skirt it, as the alternative is
wet and slippery. Hand and feet holds on bad step on return are
more obvious than you think. Everyone's different, but my advice is
dont go near this without a rope, we scrambled the ascent without,
but felt a lot better on return once we had roped up for bad step
descent. (Bad step is a lot like that on the saddle, which is easily
by-passed and less exposed), we scratched our heads for ten
minutes before donning harness and rope.
Written by
Chris Bowles
on 04 Jun 2009:
Completed a magnificent circuit by ascending Bruach na Frithe, by an easy scramble up its west ridge before traversing over the Basteir tooth and Am Basteir. To climb the tooth we ascended via Lota corrie which was a moderate rock climb. From the tooth to Am Basteir requires one difficult pitch but then becomes an easy walk up a scree slope to the top. We then traversed over the 'bad step' to the Basteir/Gillian col and descended into Coire a' Basteir. The climb of the tooth requires a strong head for heights as it was very exposed.
Written by
Roger Green
on 28 Jun 2007:
The route described here seems to head a closer to pinnacle ridge on Gillean than I would expect. The most obvious walk in is to head for the beallach by passing to the left (West) above Basteir gorge on a good (if occasionally faint) path. Either way the scrambling is excellent and quite easy until the crux of the route is reached - the infamous Bad Step. If tackling the step head on a rope must be regarded as essential.
Written by
David S Brown
on 19 May 2006:
The crux is passing the 'Bad Step'. Finding a lower route on ledges (see Comment of a second David Brown 23/08/02) is NOT easy! At the Bad Step, follow edge of this wall from crest of ridge South about 8m to a slight hollow. 1.5m below you will see a platform big enough for both feet. Facing wall, climb onto this, then down more and traverse left until feet are on a small shelf of brown-stained basalt. Traverse this further left and down until hands are on the brown shelf and feet on whiter basalt below. Traverse more left and step off onto sloping slabs, and thence scramble to the summit.
Written by
Graham Uney
on 11 Sep 2003:
A great route with some good scrambling above the Bealach. Spectacular views all around. Can by combined with ascents of Bruach na Frithe by returning to the Bealach and skirting under the peak on its north side, or Sgurr nan Gillean via a hard scramble/climb up the West Ridge from the Bealach.
Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map,
a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
