3,012 ft · Isle of Skye, Scotland
Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh
Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh is a 3,012 ft peak in the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The standard route is the An Dorus from Coire a' Ghreadaidh: 5 mi, 2,950 ft of gain, Class 4.
Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh at a glance
- Elevation3,012 ft918 m
- RouteAn Dorus from Coire a' GhreadaidhClass 4
- Distance5 mi2,950 ft gain
- Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Sep
- RangeIsle of SkyeScotland
Climbing the An Dorus from Coire a' Ghreadaidh
From Sligachan, follow the A863 and the Glen Brittle road to the Glen Brittle Youth Hostel. Start here on the path up the Allt a' Choire Ghreadaidh, branch left into Coire an Dorus and climb the steep scree gully to the An Dorus gap. From the gap an exposed Grade 2 scramble (Class 4) on ledges and slabs leads north to the summit. Rockfall from parties above is a real risk in the gully, so wear a helmet. Mist makes the corrie confusing, and compasses deviate on the gabbro. Allow extra time for the downclimb back to the gap. Usually climbed together with Sgùrr a' Ghreadaidh on the same outing.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (25–35 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
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Route-finding difficulty
- Low visibility
Quests with Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh
MunrosPeaks near Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh?
Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh is 3,012 feet (918 m) tall. It is in the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
How does Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh rank among the Munros?
At 3,012 feet, Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh is the 274th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to climb Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh?
The An Dorus from Coire a' Ghreadaidh is Class 4, which means exposed scrambling, where many parties bring a rope. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 5 miles with 2,950 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh?
Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the An Dorus from Coire a' Ghreadaidh, covering 5 miles with 2,950 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Is Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh 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 Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh?
Most parties bring one. The An Dorus from Coire a' Ghreadaidh is Class 4, and the gear list includes a rope, harness and belay device.
When is the best time to climb Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh?
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 Sgùrr a' Mhadaidh 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