3,064 ft · Isle of Skye, Scotland
Am Basteir
Am Basteir is a 3,064 ft peak in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The standard route is the East Ridge via Coire a' Bhasteir: 8 mi, 3,850 ft of gain, Class 4.
Am Basteir at a glance
- Elevation3,064 ft933 m
- RouteEast Ridge via Coire a' BhasteirClass 4
- Distance8 mi3,850 ft gain
- Time9 – 11 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Sep
- RangeIsle of SkyeScotland
Climbing the East Ridge via Coire a' Bhasteir
From Portree, take the A87 south to Sligachan. Start from the Sligachan lay-by on the A863, cross the Allt Dearg Mòr footbridge and follow the Allt Dearg Beag into Coire a' Bhasteir, then climb scree and boulders to Bealach a' Bhasteir. The east ridge is an airy Grade 2/3 scramble (Class 4). A vertical Bad Step blocks the crest and is avoided by a loose, hard-to-find ledge system on the south side before regaining the ridge. Wear a helmet, avoid wet days, and allow time for route-finding. The slabs on the bypass are greasy after rain. Usually combined with Sgùrr nan Gillean or Bruach na Frìthe.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (30–40 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Belay Device
Carabiners
What to watch for
- Steep exposure
- Loose rock
- Route-finding difficulty
- Slippery terrain
Quests with Am Basteir
MunrosPeaks near Am Basteir
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Am Basteir?
Am Basteir is 3,064 feet (933 m) tall. It is in the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
How does Am Basteir rank among the Munros?
At 3,064 feet, Am Basteir is the 241st highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to climb Am Basteir?
The East Ridge via Coire a' Bhasteir is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 8 miles with 3,850 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Am Basteir?
Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the East Ridge via Coire a' Bhasteir, covering 8 miles with 3,850 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Is Am Basteir dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: exposed sections where a fall would be serious, rockfall from loose rock and tricky route-finding. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.
Do you need a rope to climb Am Basteir?
Most parties bring one. The East Ridge via Coire a' Bhasteir is Class 4, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.
When is the best time to climb Am Basteir?
The usual climbing window is June to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Am Basteir with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list