Munro · Skye & The Small Isles
Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)
Sgùrr na Banachdich (965m) — "smallpox peak" — is one of the more approachable Munros on the Cuillin Ridge, often used as the entry point for walkers building up to the more technical Cuillin summits. It sits between Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh to the north and Sgùrr Dearg (the Inaccessible Pinnacle) to the south. The standard ascent via Coire na Banachdich involves only modest scrambling, making it the easiest Munro on the main Cuillin Ridge.
Quick facts
- Height
- 965m/ 3166ft
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 849 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG440224
- Parking
- NG410205
- Nearest
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
No GPX track yet
Walked this route? Share your track to help other walkers.
Standard route
Glenbrittle path 20% · Rocky corrie 40% · Summit ridge scramble 40%
Approach from Glenbrittle Hut. Take the path north into Coire na Banachdich, climbing the steep boulder slopes to the col below the summit. From the col turn south and climb the rocky ridge to the summit cairn — easy scrambling on excellent gabbro. Most parties also take in the connecting Top of Sgùrr Thormaid before returning. Around 8km return with 990m of ascent.
Terrain
The lower Coire na Banachdich path crosses wet boggy moor, then steepens onto loose boulder slopes up to the col. The summit ridge is broad rocky ground with one or two short scrambly steps — easy by Cuillin standards. The summit cairn is a small pile of gabbro on a rocky outcrop. Compass readings on the Cuillin gabbro are unreliable; carry GPS for navigation.
In winter
In winter, despite being the easiest Cuillin Munro in summer, this becomes a serious mountaineering objective. The Coire na Banachdich approach holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. Cuillin gabbro readily ices over and midwinter daylight is brief. Few parties tackle this in winter; most Munroists choose summer ascents.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 44m
- Edinburgh5h 30m
OS maps: OS Landranger 32
Mobile signal: No signal in the Cuillin above 500m. Glenbrittle campsite has reasonable 4G. Download maps and plan the route before setting off.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:27
- Civil dusk
- 23:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich).
Got a photo of Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)?
30 seconds, helps other walkers.
Submit a photoAround Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich) 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
11km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich) — common questions
- How hard is Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)?
- Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich) is rated 5/5 (very challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 849m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The lower Coire na Banachdich path crosses wet boggy moor, then steepens onto loose boulder slopes up to the col.
- Where do I park for Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)?
- 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 na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)?
- The standard good-weather months for Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich) 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 na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)?
- 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 na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich)?
- No signal in the Cuillin above 500m. Glenbrittle campsite has reasonable 4G. Download maps and plan the route before setting off.
- Is Sgurr na Banachdich (Sgurr na Banachdaich) safe in winter?
- In winter, despite being the easiest Cuillin Munro in summer, this becomes a serious mountaineering objective. The Coire na Banachdich approach holds avalanche-prone snow after westerly storms. Cuillin gabbro readily ices over and midwinter daylight is brief. Few parties tackle this in winter; most Munroists choose summer ascents.
Get the OutdoorSCOT weekly
One email a week — new route, hill and bothy guides, seasonal conditions and the odd hard-won lesson. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.