Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute up Sgurr Alasdair: route map, distance and time
992 m · Highland
Sgurr Alasdair is the highest peak on Skye at 992m, a Cuillin Munro climbed from Glenbrittle by Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute.
A path climbs to Loch Coire Lagan. You then labour up the Great Stone Chute and scramble the short ridge to the summit.
Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute at a glance
| Distance | 4.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 943 m |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Glenbrittle (campsite area) |
| Start grid reference | NG 410 214 |
| Summit grid reference | NG 450 207 |
Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 2h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 15m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:42 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:09, sunset 18:09. Start by 13:39 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Sgurr Alasdair summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Mostly dry, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 46 mph, 7% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:12.
-
Poor Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 51 mph, 86% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 08:09, sunset 18:09.
Best day of the next seven for Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 46 mph and a 7% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 0% (Low), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Sgurr Alasdair forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Sgurr Alasdair?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Northwest Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 46 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Sgurr Alasdair
Sgurr Alasdair is the highest peak on Skye at 992m, a Cuillin Munro climbed from Glenbrittle by Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute. More about Sgurr Alasdair, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Munro Top, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Sgurr Sgumain (948 m), 0.2 km south-west
- Sgurr Mhic Choinnich (948 m), 0.3 km north
- Sgurr Dubh an Da Bheinn (939 m), 0.6 km south-east
- Sgurr Dubh Mor (944 m), 0.8 km east
- Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle (986 m), 1 km north-west
- Sgurr nan Eag (926 m), 1.4 km south-east
Challenges that include Sgurr Alasdair
More walks from Glenbrittle
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Glenbrittle via the west ridge of Sgurr Dearg up Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle
- Glenbrittle via Coir' an Eich up Sgurr na Banachdich
- Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich up Sgurr Thormaid
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NG 410 214, the summit at NG 450 207), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute: questions and answers
How far is Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute?
Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute is 4.8 km one way to the summit of Sgurr Alasdair, with 943 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.6 km.
How long does Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of Sgurr Alasdair and 3h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute?
Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute starts from Glenbrittle (campsite area). The grid reference is NG 410 214.
Is Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
What time should I start Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute today?
By 13:42 at the latest. Sunset on Sgurr Alasdair today is 18:12, Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute takes about 3h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Glenbrittle via Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).