Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Am Basteir
Am Basteir (934m) — "the executioner" — is one of the more dramatic Cuillin Munros, a sharp pointed peak immediately east of Sgùrr nan Gillean. The summit is most famously approached via the airy "bad step" near the top, with the nearby Basteir Tooth providing one of the more challenging Cuillin obstacles (Grade 3/4). The hill is most often climbed alongside Bruach na Frithe by experienced scramblers on a long Cuillin day from Sligachan.
Quick facts
- Height
- 934m/ 3064ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 822 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG465253
- Parking
- NG486298
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen approach 30% · Steep corrie / Grade 1-2 40% · Summit rocks 30%
Approach from Sligachan Hotel via the path south-west into Coire a' Bhasteir. Climb the steep boulder slopes onto the Bealach a' Bhasteir (the col between Am Basteir and Sgùrr nan Gillean), then traverse the narrow east ridge of Am Basteir to the summit — Grade 2 scrambling with one short Grade 3 "bad step" near the top. Most parties combine with Bruach na Frithe to the west. Around 12km return with 1100m of ascent.
Terrain
The Coire a' Bhasteir path crosses rough boggy moor on the lower section, before steep boulder slopes climb onto the Bealach. The east ridge of Am Basteir is sustained Grade 2 scrambling on excellent gabbro with one short Grade 3 step. The Basteir Tooth (the famous detached pinnacle) is Grade 3/4 with a bypass on the south side. The summit area is a small platform with a cairn. Compass readings unreliable on Cuillin gabbro.
In winter
A serious technical Cuillin winter line. Under snow and ice the east ridge climbs at sustained Grade III/IV. Verglas readily forms on Cuillin gabbro; midwinter daylight is brief and once committed any retreat from the upper ridge demands rope work. Almost all ascents of this hill are made in summer.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 45m
- Edinburgh5h 30m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: Moderate signal at Sligachan. No signal on the Cuillin ridge.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Am Basteir.
Around Am Basteir on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kyle of Lochalsh station
Skye Bridge; Five Sisters of Kintail; Glen Shiel; Plockton
29km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
18km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Talisker
Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied
11km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Am Basteir — common questions
- How hard is Am Basteir?
- Am Basteir is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 822m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Coire a' Bhasteir path crosses rough boggy moor on the lower section, before steep boulder slopes climb onto the Bealach.
- Where do I park for Am Basteir?
- Standard parking is at NG486298 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Am Basteir?
- The standard good-weather months for Am Basteir are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Am Basteir?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Am Basteir?
- Moderate signal at Sligachan. No signal on the Cuillin ridge.
- Is Am Basteir safe in winter?
- A serious technical Cuillin winter line. Under snow and ice the east ridge climbs at sustained Grade III/IV. Verglas readily forms on Cuillin gabbro; midwinter daylight is brief and once committed any retreat from the upper ridge demands rope work. Almost all ascents of this hill are made in summer.
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