Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle
The Inaccessible Pinnacle (985m) — universally known as the "In Pin" — sits atop Sgùrr Dearg on the Cuillin Ridge and is the most technically demanding Munro in Scotland. The summit itself is a great upright fin of gabbro that requires roped rock climbing to ascend and abseil to descend safely. It is the only Munro that absolutely requires rope work and is the principal obstacle for most aspiring Munroists. Most hillwalkers hire a qualified guide for this summit.
Gaelic: “sharp peak, red” · Pronunciation: skoor jerr-ak inaccessible pinnacle
Quick facts
- Height
- 985.8m/ 3234ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 868 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG444215
- Parking
- NG410205
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Path to corrie / bealach 30% · Cuillin ridge scramble 30% · Rock climbing / abseil 40%
Approach from Glenbrittle Campsite. Take the path north-east up Coire Lagan, climbing the steep sandy slabs onto the Sgùrr Dearg ridge. Reach the Sgùrr Dearg summit cairn, then walk west to the base of the In Pin. The standard route is the East Ridge — a sustained Moderate / V Diff rock climb up the airy crest (50m), then an abseil descent off the back. Total round about 10km with 1100m of ascent. Allow plenty of time and bring rope, harness and helmets.
Terrain
The Coire Lagan path from Glenbrittle is rough and slabby in places. The climb onto Sgùrr Dearg involves a sustained ascent of sandy gabbro slabs and broken rock. The In Pin itself is a great upright blade of gabbro — Moderate / V Diff climbing on excellent friction in dry conditions; treacherous when wet. The East Ridge is approximately 50m of climbing with airy exposure on both sides. Compass readings on the Cuillin are unreliable due to the magnetic gabbro.
In winter
The In Pin in winter conditions becomes a serious technical climb (Grade III–IV). Few attempt it in winter — most Munroists choose a fair-weather summer ascent. Gabbro glazes with verglas. The Coire Lagan approach is exposed to westerly weather and the upper slopes hold significant avalanche risk. There is no mobile reception on the Cuillin. GPS essential; magnetic gabbro disrupts compass readings. Full rope work and competence essential.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 43m
- Edinburgh4h 29m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: Moderate signal near Glenbrittle. No signal on the Cuillin ridge. The Cuillin affects compass accuracy — use GPS for navigation.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:33
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:27
- Civil dusk
- 23:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Around Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle 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
32km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Portree
Main Skye base — Cuillin, Trotternish, Storr
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Talisker
Carbost on Skye — Cuillin foothills distillery; peppery, maritime, big-bodied
12km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle — common questions
- How hard is Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle?
- Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 868m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Coire Lagan path from Glenbrittle is rough and slabby in places.
- Where do I park for Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle?
- Standard parking is at NG410205 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 Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle?
- The standard good-weather months for Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle 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 Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle?
- 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 Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle?
- Moderate signal near Glenbrittle. No signal on the Cuillin ridge. The Cuillin affects compass accuracy — use GPS for navigation.
- Is Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle safe in winter?
- The In Pin in winter conditions becomes a serious technical climb (Grade III–IV). Few attempt it in winter — most Munroists choose a fair-weather summer ascent. Gabbro glazes with verglas. The Coire Lagan approach is exposed to westerly weather and the upper slopes hold significant avalanche risk. There is no mobile reception on the Cuillin. GPS essential; magnetic gabbro disrupts compass readings. Full rope work and competence essential.
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