Cuillin Ridge Traverse, Isle of Skye
Come and experience the rugged mountains of the beautiful Isle of Skye on our Guided Cuillin Ridge Traverse trips.
- experience the awe inspiring beauty of Skye
- improve your scrambling skills in a safe environment
- knowledgeable and experienced guiding and instruction from Iain Gallagher of Lakes Outdoor Experience. Iain has extensive knowledge of The Cuillin Ridge having guided clients on Cuillin Ridge Traverses over twenty times in 18 years!
The Cuillin Ridge is one of the UKs most spectacular mountain challenges; a traverse of approximately 13km plus 7km of approach & descent. On the ridge you never drop below 726m and there are some 20 peaks rising above 914m (3000ft) of which 11 are classed as Munros. Highlights of the ridge include the crossing of the famous Thearlaich Dubh Gap, an ascent and abseil descent of the Inaccessible Pinnacle and a traverse of the Am Basteir Tooth.
The Cuillin Ridge is a challenging mountain environment including technical scrambling, rock climbing to severe grade, abseiling and exposed ground.
Planning & Preparation
Ideally you will have attended a previous scrambling course with us, or have demonstrable experience of scrambling and /or rock climbing,
You will need to be fit and able to carry a heavy rucksack containing all your gear for a sustained mountaineering day, including a helmet, harness and some climbing equipment and you need to have a head for heights!
LOE have operated successful traverses of the Cuillin Ridge since 2006 and currently offer a programme of four days ridge guiding spread over seven days to give you the best possible opportunity of achieving success - that said, a successful traverse of the ridge is weather dependent; and success cannot be guaranteed. We really recommend undertaking the Cuillin Ridge Traverse Trip either in mid-May or September to make the most of good weather that is outside of the main Midge season. For anyone wondering what Midges are - they are the infamous tiny biting fly that inhabit the wet, west coast and mountains of Scotland: once experienced, you will never forget a bad Midge day and they are best avoided if at all possible!! Currently, we operate all our Cuillin Ridge Traverse Trips from our mobile facility and base ourselves at strategic points around the Cuillin Ridge from near to the Sligachan Hotel to the north of the ridge; and from various points in Glen Brittle which bounds the west side of The Cuillin Ridge and is very close to the main rock climbing & scrambling venue of the Black Cuillin Ridge. We will arrange where to meet you on each day where we go on to the ridge.
Other Activities on Skye
Lakes Outdoor Experience also offer privately guided excursions in addition to our organised Cuillin Ridge traverse packages.
These include full traverses of the ridge or specific scrambling routes on some Cuillin Classics such as Pinnacle Ridge on Sgurr Nan Gillean, the Dubhs Ridge from Loch Coruisk or the Spur on Sgurr an Fheadain. Alternatively, you may decide to do some guided rock climbing days taking in for example Naismiths Route up the Am Basteir Tooth or climb the Cioch face by such multi-pitch classics as Cioch Direct and Integrity to top out on Sron Na Ciche.
Our day rate for guiding on The Cuillin Ridge during May 2019 is £180 per person per day for a minimum of one or two persons. This equates to £90 per person per day for two persons...if we get more people joining, then the price per person will be reduced accordingly!
(For other packages please contact us to discuss your requirements and pricing)
Cuillin Ridge Traverse, Isle of Skye Courses and Activities are held in:
Lakes Outdoor Experience is run by Iain Gallagher. Iain was born and brought up in The Lake District by parents who were very keen on the outdoors.
