Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Bruach na Frithe
Bruach na Frithe (958m) — "slope of the deer forest" — is universally regarded as the most accessible Munro on the main Cuillin Ridge, reached by walking and easy scrambling rather than the sustained Grade 3 routes that characterise the rest of the range. The hill sits in the central Cuillin between Sgùrr a' Bhasteir to the north and Bidein Druim nan Ramh to the south. The summit gives panoramic views along the entire Cuillin Ridge — one of the great Cuillin viewpoints.
Quick facts
- Height
- 958.8m/ 3146ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 844 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG460252
- Parking
- NG486298
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Glen path 35% · Open hillside / bealach 35% · Rocky ridge / summit 30%
Park at the Sligachan Hotel. Take the path south-west across rough moor for around 4km to the Bealach a' Mhaim, then climb the broad north-west ridge of Bruach na Frithe directly — easy walking on grass and short turf with one or two short hands-on rocky steps near the summit. The top has a small cairn beside a trig pillar (the only trig pillar on the main Cuillin Ridge). Around 13km return with 970m of ascent.
Terrain
The Bealach a' Mhaim approach is rough boggy moor for the first 4km. Above the bealach the north-west ridge climbs on easy grass with rocky outcrops — by far the most walker-friendly approach on the Cuillin. The summit ridge has one or two short hands-on rocky steps close to the cairn. The summit area is a small rocky platform with a trig pillar — the only trig on the main Cuillin Ridge. Compass readings unreliable due to Cuillin gabbro magnetism.
In winter
In winter, despite its summer reputation as the easiest Cuillin Munro, this remains a serious mountaineering objective. The north-west ridge climbs as a steep snow line under winter conditions. Cuillin gabbro readily ices over with verglas. The Sligachan Hotel makes a useful winter base. Few parties tackle the Cuillin outside summer; under snow the range demands rope work and competent climbing technique.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 45m
- Edinburgh5h 30m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: Moderate signal at Sligachan Hotel. No signal above 400m 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 Bruach na Frithe.
Around Bruach na Frithe 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
30km 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
Bruach na Frithe — common questions
- How hard is Bruach na Frithe?
- Bruach na Frithe is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 844m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Bealach a' Mhaim approach is rough boggy moor for the first 4km.
- Where do I park for Bruach na Frithe?
- 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 Bruach na Frithe?
- The standard good-weather months for Bruach na Frithe 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 Bruach na Frithe?
- 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 Bruach na Frithe?
- Moderate signal at Sligachan Hotel. No signal above 400m on the Cuillin ridge.
- Is Bruach na Frithe safe in winter?
- In winter, despite its summer reputation as the easiest Cuillin Munro, this remains a serious mountaineering objective. The north-west ridge climbs as a steep snow line under winter conditions. Cuillin gabbro readily ices over with verglas. The Sligachan Hotel makes a useful winter base. Few parties tackle the Cuillin outside summer; under snow the range demands rope work and competent climbing technique.
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