Corbett · Skye & The Small Isles
Askival
Askival is the highest summit on the Isle of Rum and one of the finest hill days in the British Isles. At 812m, it crowns the Rum Cuillin — an ancient ring of igneous peaks formed 60 million years ago at the core of a long-eroded volcano. The ridge linking Hallival to Askival is genuine mountaineering ground, with exposed scrambling on impeccable rough basalt. Rum is reached only by CalMac ferry from Mallaig; most ascents are made as part of a two- or three-day visit staying at Kinloch.
Quick facts
- Height
- 812m/ 2664ft
- Prominence
- 812 m
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 1500 m
- Time
- 7–10 hrs
- Grid ref
- NM393952
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
island track 20% · rough hillside 25% · rocky ridge 40% · summit scramble 15%
From Kinloch on Rum's east coast (the ferry pier), follow the path south through the village then climb south-east toward Coire Dubh. The route gains the ridge below Hallival, then traverses south over Hallival's summit before descending to a col and re-ascending Askival. The standard line involves Grade 2 scrambling on the Hallival-Askival ridge. Most parties also include Trollaval and Ainshval on the same day for the full Rum Cuillin traverse. Allow 9–11 hours.
Terrain
Track and path from Kinloch onto the lower hill. The Hallival ridge is rough scrambling on excellent basalt — the rock is grippy in the dry but treacherous when wet. The Askival summit cone has a famous through-hole and pointed summit boulder. Manx shearwaters nest in burrows on the upper slopes; avoid disturbing them in summer.
In winter
The Rum Cuillin in winter is a serious undertaking — exposed scrambling becomes Grade I/II mountaineering, weather is committed Atlantic, and the ferry runs reduced winter schedules. Most parties keep these for spring or autumn. The shearwater burrows are unoccupied in winter, removing one summer concern.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 23m
- Edinburgh4h 16m
Ferry access
Mallaig → Rum (Loch Scresort)
- Crossing time90 min
- Summer sailingsMon, Wed, Fri, Sat (Apr–Oct)
- Winter sailingsMon & Thu only (Nov–Mar)
- Book ahead28 days
No cars permitted on Rum — foot passengers only. Overnight stay (Kinloch Castle bunkhouse or campsite) is strongly recommended; last ferry back does not allow a single-day round trip of the full ridge.
Book on CalMac ↗OS maps: OS Landranger 39
Mobile signal: No mobile coverage anywhere on Rum. The island has no mobile network; emergency contact is via the community shop or estate office at Kinloch
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:50
- Sunset
- 22:12
- Civil dawn
- 03:49
- Civil dusk
- 23:13
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Askival.
Classic round
4 hillsFull Rum Cuillin ring
The iconic Rum Cuillin traverse — Hallival, Askival, Trollaval and Ainshval in a single long day from Kinloch. Descent via Glen Harris.
20km · 2000m ascent · 12 hrs
Two-hill day
Askival + Ainshval
Askival and Ainshval as a focused two-Corbett outing — shorter than the full ring and still takes in the best scrambling.
18km · 1600m ascent · 10 hrs
Around Askival on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Askival — common questions
- How hard is Askival?
- We grade Askival at 4/5, which puts it in challenging territory. The usual route is around 18km with 1500m of climbing; allow 7-10 hours. Ground conditions: Track and path from Kinloch onto the lower hill.
- How much drop does Askival have?
- Askival's prominence is its full height — 812m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it.
- What's the best month to climb Askival?
- Aim for May, June, July, August, September on Askival. In the remaining months treat it as a winter hill — full kit, solid navigation, and a look at the relevant SAIS avalanche forecast before you go.
- Can dogs go up Askival?
- Dogs are fine on a lead. The route passes livestock or ground-nesting bird habitat, so keep them close throughout.
- Will I get phone signal on Askival?
- No mobile coverage anywhere on Rum. The island has no mobile network; emergency contact is via the community shop or estate office at Kinloch
- How do I get the ferry to Askival?
- Mallaig → Rum (Loch Scresort). Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat (Apr–Oct) in summer; Mon & Thu only (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 28 days ahead. No cars permitted on Rum — foot passengers only. Overnight stay (Kinloch Castle bunkhouse or campsite) is strongly recommended; last ferry back does not allow a single-day round trip of the full ridge.
- Is Askival safe in winter?
- The Rum Cuillin in winter is a serious undertaking — exposed scrambling becomes Grade I/II mountaineering, weather is committed Atlantic, and the ferry runs reduced winter schedules. Most parties keep these for spring or autumn. The shearwater burrows are unoccupied in winter, removing one summer concern.
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