Southern Cuillin and Coire Ghrunnda
THE CUILLIN AND MINGINISH
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1. Park just before the campsite at the end of the Glen Brittle road. The walk starts up the prominent path just left of the campsite toilet block. The early part of the route was once an eroded swamp, but following extensive works there is now an excellent pitched-stone constructed footpath. Turn right at the fork onto the path for Coire Ghrunnda.
2. The path swings round the base of Sron na Ciche before heading up the left side of lower Coire Ghrunnda. The base of the corrie is made up of huge sweeps of bare, glaciated slabs – impressive to look at but difficult to negotiate. Keep to the path which climbs high up the left side of the corrie, with one exposed little section. Further on the path comes closer to the stream (with a cascading waterfall) and the way up to the upper corrie is barred by cliffs. The route can be continued by a moderate scramble up the rocks close to the waterfall.
3. Just beyond, Coire Ghrunnda is reached. This is one of the most beautiful and impressive of all the Cuillin corries, benefiting from being much less visited than Coire Lagan. To continue the ascent, head round to the right of the loch and then begin to climb the steep boulder field beyond, aiming to the right of the prominent boss of rock, Caisteal a Garbh Choire. The boulders give awkward going but have exceptionally good friction; they are made of peridotite, a variant of gabbro which is even rougher than normal.
4. Once on the ridge, turn right. The ascent to Sgurr nan Eag can either be made fairly directly up the ridge (moderate scrambling) or by using a path in the scree lower down on the right (no scrambling; careful route finding). The summit cairn is in the centre of the long, narrow summit ridge. At 924m this is the southernmost of the Cuillin Munros.
5. The easiest way back is to return the same way. It is possible to continue all the way along the ridge to Gars-bheinn, where the Cuillin end above the sea - this is a delightful excursion but the return should still be made over Sgurr nan Eag. Keen scramblers and Munro-baggers may want to include Sgurr Dubh Mor in the day's itinerary. Return to Caisteal a Garbh Coire, and avoid this obstacle by passing round its base to the right.
6. Beyond the bealach, ascend the bouldery Sgurr Dubh na Da Bheinn. From here, the scrambling begins. Bear east down to the bealach, and then you must find a route up Sgurr Dubh Mor beyond. The normal route is to head round to the right a little before finding a way up from ledge to ledge until the summit is reached, though we found it slightly easier to head round to the left instead. Either way, the ascent is a hard scramble and involves very tricky route finding; if at all unsure, why not hire a guide. With luck, the summit cairn of Sgurr Dubh Mor will be reached; at 944 metres this is the second Munro of the day.
7. Return to Sgurr Dubh na Da Bheinn. The return to Coire Ghrunnda can be made either by heading back down to Caisteal a Garbh Coire and descending from there, or by heading along the ridge towards the Thearlaich-Dubh gap before descending the boulders. Once back at the lochan, the return is by the route of ascent.
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