The Skye Munros: Why Summer Is Ideal For A Guided Adventure

If you’ve been thinking about taking a Skye Munros course, then June is an ideal time to book it as daylight stretches to almost 18 hours. Currently, dawn breaks in the Highlands at around 4.30am, while it can still be reasonably light after 10pm. The terrain is often drier and the rocks less slippy, making scrambling and climbing safer and easier. 

It’s a great opportunity to gain confidence in longer mountain walks with a group, or tackle some of the more ambitious routes if you are a more experienced hiker, scrambler or climber. You could even consider a full Cuillin Ridge traverse and spend a night bivvying under the stars. Here’s some useful info to help you feel ready and prepared. 

Choose your level

The Skye Cuillin Range is famous as one of the most beautiful but formidable mountain ranges in the UK, but it’s not all about testing your stamina and nerves to the limit. There are smaller and more accessible peaks that might have some hands-on sections, but are manageable for anyone who is reasonably fit and has some hill-walking experience. 

Good Munros to start with include Bruach na Frìthe, and Sgùrr na Banachdich via Coire a' Ghreadaidh. Blà Bheinn is not technically part of the Cuillin ridge, but it offers superb views of the main range and is a relatively straightforward ascent. Expect some rocky sections that might require scrambling, but nothing too technical. 

If you are already an experienced mountain walker/scrambler/climber, then Sgurr Dearg, more often known as the Inaccessible Pinnacle, could be the challenge you are looking for.  All the technical equipment you need, such as hats, harnesses, ropes, and so on will be supplied if you choose to take a guided ascent.

Flexible routes

The course instructors are all very knowledgeable about the Cuillin range, and will ensure that you are guided safely over complex and technical terrain while making the most of the views. If necessary, they can guide you through alternative routes and will see you safely back to base in time for a celebratory drink or two.

For those who want a bigger challenge without taking on the full traverse, it’s possible to link up two or three peaks such as Sgùrr nan Gillean, Am Basteir, Bruach na Frìthe to make a long and satisfying day. On guided walks, instructor to client ratios are kept to a minimum, so there’s plenty of flexibility in which routes you take. 

Getting ready

There’s no need to be at peak fitness levels to tackle the Cuillins, but you’ll get more out of the day if you’ve already built up your ‘hill fitness.’ 

This could simply be by taking some training walks that involve ascents in your local area, or by working on your strength and cardio fitness at the gym. Try walking with a weighted backpack if you want to tackle one of the longer routes or the full traverse, because you’ll be carrying everything you need with you.