Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich up Sgurr Thormaid: route map, distance and time
926 m · Highland
Sgurr Thormaid is a 926m Munro Top on the Black Cuillin ridge of Skye, a rocky point on the ridge north of Sgurr na Banachdich.
You climb Sgurr na Banachdich by Coir' an Eich and scramble north along the ridge to Thormaid.
Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich at a glance
| Distance | 5.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,076 m |
| Time up | 2h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Glenbrittle (youth hostel area) |
| Start grid reference | NG 410 214 |
| Summit grid reference | NG 440 226 |
Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich 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 Sgurr na Banachdich takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 3h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 4h 45m |
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 08:05, sunset 18:14. Start by 13:24 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:12. Start by 13:22 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Sgurr Thormaid summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Mostly dry, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 31 mph gusting 39 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:05, sunset 18:14.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 51 mph, 6% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 08:07, sunset 18:12.
Best day of the next seven for Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 39 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 9% (Low), best around 10:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Sgurr Thormaid forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Sgurr Thormaid?
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 -5°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 39 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 Thormaid
Sgurr Thormaid is a 926m Munro Top on the Black Cuillin ridge of Skye, a rocky point on the ridge north of Sgurr na Banachdich. More about Sgurr Thormaid, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro Top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Sgurr na Banachdich (965 m), 0.2 km south
- Sgurr na Banachdich Central Top (942 m), 0.3 km south
- Sgurr a Ghreadaidh (972 m), 0.6 km north-east
- Sgurr a Ghreadaidh South Top (970 m), 0.6 km north-east
- Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh (972 m), 0.6 km north-east
- Sgurr a' Ghreadaidh South Top (970 m), 0.6 km north-east
Challenges that include Sgurr Thormaid
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 Coire Lagan and the Great Stone Chute up Sgurr Alasdair
- Glenbrittle via the west ridge of Sgurr Dearg up Sgurr Dearg - Inaccessible Pinnacle
- Glenbrittle via Coir' an Eich up Sgurr na Banachdich
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 440 226), 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 Sgurr na Banachdich: questions and answers
How far is Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich?
Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich is 5.2 km one way to the summit of Sgurr Thormaid, with 1,076 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.4 km.
How long does Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich take?
About 2h 50m to the summit of Sgurr Thormaid and 3h 50m 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 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich?
Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich starts from Glenbrittle (youth hostel area). The grid reference is NG 410 214.
Is Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich 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 Sgurr na Banachdich today?
By 13:24 at the latest. Sunset on Sgurr Thormaid today is 18:14, Glenbrittle via Sgurr na Banachdich takes about 3h 50m 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 Sgurr na Banachdich?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).