5th September 2024 - Sgurr na Stri
Walk Details
Distance walked: 14.2 miles
Total ascent: 2558 ft
OS map used: 411 - Skye, Cuillin Hills
Time taken: 8 hrs
Route description: Sligachan-Glen Sligachan-Strath na Creitheach-Druim Hain-Sgurr na Stri-Druim Hain-Strath na Creitheach-Glen Sligachan-Sligachan
Perhaps the best day of hillwalking that I've ever had, certainly right up there. I'd hoped to do this route this week, and since the weather forecast is for a perfect day I've got no excuses for not giving it a go. Both the guidebooks I have for the Isle of Skye have this walk in them, and give a good description of what sort of terrain is encountered underfoot and the issues with route finding that there could be. Which is why both of them recommend a fine day for this walk, not just for getting there and back safely but for being able to appreciate the spectacular view from the summit of Sgurr na Stri. Setting off from Sligachan at about 1000 with lots of blue skies, and just a little cloud over the high mountains, I enjoyed more or less wall-to-wall blue skies, sunshine, and a gentle breeze from start to finish. Thankfully I didn't have any problems with finding my way. The paths up Glen Sligachan and Strath na Creitheach are clear and easy to keep to, although after heavy rain I can imagine that they'd be waterlogged and the fords on the burns would be difficult to cross. Even the part of the route that I was most concerned with, from the crest of the ridge of Druim Hain to Sgurr na Stri, wasn't a problem. The path was relatively easy to follow. Perhaps increasing foot traffic in recent years has made it clearer on the ground.
After parking my car in one of car parks next to the A87 at Sligachan I made my way down to the old bridge across the River Sligachan and took the path up the glen. I followed this path south, crossing the ford on Allt na Measarroch, then passing the entrance to Harta Corrie and Lochan Dubha to my right. Soon after passing Lochan Dubha I reached a cairn where the path split. I took the right hand one, and followed it south, crossing Allt nam Fraoch-choire, then making my way up the ridge of Druim Hain. At the top of the climb on the crest of the ridge a large cairn was reached, and from here I took the clear path south along the side of Sgurr Hain. As the path approaches Sgurr na Stri it goes left up a gully to its top above the eastern face of Sgurr na Stri, and from there the path went up another gully for the final climb to the summit. After a break for lunch and to take in the view I made my way down to the top of the second gully and then up to the summit of the eastern top of Sgurr na Stri. Once I'd taken in the view from there I retraced my steps all the way back to Sligachan.
Total ascent: 2558 ft
OS map used: 411 - Skye, Cuillin Hills
Time taken: 8 hrs
Route description: Sligachan-Glen Sligachan-Strath na Creitheach-Druim Hain-Sgurr na Stri-Druim Hain-Strath na Creitheach-Glen Sligachan-Sligachan
Perhaps the best day of hillwalking that I've ever had, certainly right up there. I'd hoped to do this route this week, and since the weather forecast is for a perfect day I've got no excuses for not giving it a go. Both the guidebooks I have for the Isle of Skye have this walk in them, and give a good description of what sort of terrain is encountered underfoot and the issues with route finding that there could be. Which is why both of them recommend a fine day for this walk, not just for getting there and back safely but for being able to appreciate the spectacular view from the summit of Sgurr na Stri. Setting off from Sligachan at about 1000 with lots of blue skies, and just a little cloud over the high mountains, I enjoyed more or less wall-to-wall blue skies, sunshine, and a gentle breeze from start to finish. Thankfully I didn't have any problems with finding my way. The paths up Glen Sligachan and Strath na Creitheach are clear and easy to keep to, although after heavy rain I can imagine that they'd be waterlogged and the fords on the burns would be difficult to cross. Even the part of the route that I was most concerned with, from the crest of the ridge of Druim Hain to Sgurr na Stri, wasn't a problem. The path was relatively easy to follow. Perhaps increasing foot traffic in recent years has made it clearer on the ground.
After parking my car in one of car parks next to the A87 at Sligachan I made my way down to the old bridge across the River Sligachan and took the path up the glen. I followed this path south, crossing the ford on Allt na Measarroch, then passing the entrance to Harta Corrie and Lochan Dubha to my right. Soon after passing Lochan Dubha I reached a cairn where the path split. I took the right hand one, and followed it south, crossing Allt nam Fraoch-choire, then making my way up the ridge of Druim Hain. At the top of the climb on the crest of the ridge a large cairn was reached, and from here I took the clear path south along the side of Sgurr Hain. As the path approaches Sgurr na Stri it goes left up a gully to its top above the eastern face of Sgurr na Stri, and from there the path went up another gully for the final climb to the summit. After a break for lunch and to take in the view I made my way down to the top of the second gully and then up to the summit of the eastern top of Sgurr na Stri. Once I'd taken in the view from there I retraced my steps all the way back to Sligachan.
Route map
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Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir, and Bruach na Frithe. The view of the Cuillin from the River Sligachan as I set off.
and of the Sligachan Hotel
The hill ahead of me at the moment is Marsco. My destination is currently out of sight, behind the distant peak, which is Sgurr Hain.
The little bit of cloud on the tops of the Cuillin is lifting and clearing
Following the path up Glen Sligachan
Crossing the ford on Allt na Measarroch beneath Marsco
Looking across the River Sligachan to Nead na h-lolaire
and to Sgurr nan Gillean and Pinnacle Ridge
The path heads south along the bottom of Marsco
Looking back down Glen Sligachan
Further on and Blabheinn appears on the left
Passing the entrance to Harta Corrie. Looking across Lochan Dubha and I can make out the central part of the Cuillin ridge, Sgurr Dearg, and the Inaccessible Pinnacle in the distance.
The path I'm following crosses the ridge ahead, and since I've passed Lochan Dubha I'm now in Strath na Creitheach.
I take the path on the right. Going left takes you to Camasunary.
Beneath the southern slopes of Marsco
Crossing Allt nam Fraoch-choire
From which I get a great view of the western face of Blabheinn
A bit further on and Clach Glas is to the left of Blabheinn
Looking back down Strath na Creitheach to Glen Sligachan as I climb the ridge of Druim Hain
The peak of Sgurr Hain ahead as I near the top of the ridge
Looking across Strath na Creitheach to Ruadh Stac and Garbh-bheinn
The serrated pinnacle of the summit of Sgurr nan Gillean above a moorland lochan
I reach the cairn on the crest of the ridge. The path that heads down goes to the shore of Loch Coruisk..
..but I take the one that heads south along the side of Sgurr Hain towards Sgurr na Stri
The view of the Cuillin with Loch a' Choire Riabhaich below is impossible to ignore...
The path is easier to follow than I was expecting, and takes me up a gully
Looking back across Loch Coruisk to The Slabs and Sgurr Dubh Beag that rise from its shore and lead up to Sgurr Dubh Mor
There's still a clear path to follow uphill, which is reassuring as I'll be coming back down the same way
I pass a group of people making their way down. As they do I take a look back to Sgurr nan Gillean in the distance on the left, and Marsco on the right.
The path reaches its top above the east face of Sgurr na Stri. The final climb to the summit is up that gully, then to the right.
Before I make my way up it I take in the view down to Camasunary..
..and across the south ridge of Sgurr Hain and Loch na Creitheach to Garbh-bheinn and Blabheinn
Finally on the summit of Sgurr na Stri. I need to sit down and have my lunch before I take in the view.
I start with looking southeast across Loch Scavaig to Strathaird and Elgol, with the Sleat peninsula, then the mountains on the mainland in the distance
Eigg and Rum to the south
Across the head of Loch Scavaig is Gars-bheinn at the southern end of the Cuillin
The view of the Cuillin and Loch Coruisk that I was hoping for. It makes the effort required to get here more than worthwhile.
I've made my way across to the east top of Sgurr na Stri. The view in that direction will be better.
Looking across to the highest top of Sgurr na Stri
The Isle of Rum, and part of Soay behind the headland of Rubha a' Gheodha Bhuidhe
Looking south across Loch Scavaig to the southern ends of the Sleat and Strathaird peninsulas, the island of Eigg, and the eastern half of Rum
Camasunary and Camas Fhionnairigh below
Finally, looking northeast to Marsco, Ruadh Stac, Garbh-bheinn, Loch na Creitheach, and Blabheinn, with Sgurr Hain nearby on the left
After making my way down from the east top, I follow the path back down the gully..
Views of the Cuillin with Loch a' Choire Riabhaich below as I make my way back north along the path on the side of Sgurr Hain...
Crossing the moorland to the north of Sgurr Hain..
..then heading down into Strath na Creitheach
Ruadh Stac, Garbh-bheinn, Clach Glas, and Blabheinn from Strath na Creitheach
Following the path north towards Marsco and I'll soon reach the path that will take me back down Glen Sligachan
A view of Blabheinn as I cross Allt nam Fraoch-choire
Passing the entrance to Harta Corrie and the view across Lochan Dubha to the central part of the Cuillin ridge..
Following the path north along the bottom of Marsco, and into the top of Glen Sligachan..
Looking back up Glen Sligachan with Marsco on the left
The end is in sight as I return to Sligachan..
Taking in the view of Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir, and Bruach na Frithe from the River Sligachan at the end of a wonderful day