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
1050 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
9.18 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
This is one of the easier routes on the Cuillin Ridge, with its "sticky" Gabro rock. However, the Cuillin as a whole should not be attempted unless you have scrambling skills and are comfortable with exposure (see image gallery for further details).
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: Carbost
From Carbost (B8009) travel SE to junction at (NG390310), then SE through Glen Brittle to Glen Brittle Youth Hostel.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,050 metres. Allow 4 hours to complete this 9.18 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 Glen Brittle Youth Hostel
NG40982248
Distance
Altitude 19 m
1
Follow path ENE through Coire a' Ghreadaidh and ascend into Coire An Dorus
NG44042359
Distance 3.50 km
Altitude 560 m
2
Ascend ESE to col, An Dorus (= the door), between the two peaks
NG44642343
Distance 0.70 km
Altitude 845 m
3
Scramble NNE to Sgurr a' Mhadaidh
NG44692353
Distance 0.13 km
Altitude 918 m
4
Return to An Dorus
NG44642343
Distance 0.13 km
Altitude 845 m
5
Scramble SSE to Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh
NG44522325
Distance 0.28 km
Altitude 973 m
6
Return to An Dorus and descend as for ascent
NG40982248
Distance 4.45 km
Altitude 19 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
Sgurr a' Mhadaidh, with its three lower tops to right, seen from Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh. Mhadaidh in sun, Ghreadaidh in shadow, and the patch of snow where they meet is lying in An Dorus. May 2006.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 5 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Martin Joyce
on 27 May 2008:
For a truly awesome day I think you're better combining Ghreadaidh with Banachdich rather than Mhadaidh. Use An Dorus for ascent and the Munromagic Banchdich route for descent. The linking ridge gives a long, high grade scramble (though the final pull onto Banachdich is unpleasantly loose)and you've the satisfaction of covering a circular route. Choose a dry, calm day though as there's lots of "delicious" exposure
Written by
DONALD FORREST
on 04 Oct 2004:
These hills test all your mountain skills in one go. Thoroughly enjoyed day.
Written by
Mark Blackwell
on 20 Dec 2003:
The traverse of these two peaks is one of the easier sections of the Cuillin ridge, yet it contains some of the narrowest parts. The arete of Sgurr a Gredaidh is a true knife edge and the scrambling is hard (grade 3ish) with some spectacularly exposed moves having to be made on the slabs on the Coruisk side. However if you can stand the exposure this is ridge scrambling at it's very best, as it is high and commiting in a stunning situation. The rock can be slippy when wet and wind makes this route a much more serious proposition, a combination of the two makes for a terrifying excursion.
Written by
Malcolm Grey
on 05 Aug 2003:
As it stands this route is a good introduction to scrambling on the Cuillin. For those with good scrambling experience an even better route is to do the circuit of Corrie a' Ghreadaidh over both peaks & off the WNW ridge of Mhadaidh. Technically not desperate, but very exposed in places & care needed on final descent to spur. Well deserving of 5 stars, but so is virtually anything on the Ridge!
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.
