Bruach na Frìthe

Bruach na Frithe, at 958 metres, is widely regarded as the easiest and most straightforward of the Skye Cuillin Munros, and for many walkers is their first introduction to this famously serious mountain range.

The standard route starts from a layby near Sligachan on the Dunvegan road, following a good path beside the Allt Dearg Mòr past a series of natural pools before climbing into the grassy Fionn Choire — the "Fair Corrie." Higher up, the path becomes harder to follow as it crosses a stream and climbs into a rockier upper bowl, with scree leading up the left side of the corrie to reach the dramatic and geologically complex Bealach na Lice. From here the route climbs the final scree and rocky ground, with some easy scrambling to stay on the ridge, to reach the summit — marked by the only trig point on the entire Cuillin ridge, and one of the finest viewpoints in the range.

An alternative approach starts from the Fairy Pools car park in Glenbrittle, following a right-of-way path before climbing the mountain's northern shoulder directly; this route differs from the Sligachan approach only in its lower sections. Some walkers descend via the north-west ridge as a slight variation, with any scrambling difficulties easily avoided on a bypass path just off the crest.

The round trip is around 8 kilometres, and despite its reputation as the easiest Cuillin summit, the terrain remains rocky and rough throughout, so most parties allow five to six hours.

"Easiest" here is relative to the rest of the Cuillin rather than an absolute measure — this is still a serious, remote mountain environment with extremely difficult navigation in mist, since compasses do not function reliably on parts of the ridge due to the magnetic rock. Full mountain skills and a reliable means of navigation beyond a compass are essential.

Parking at the Sligachan layby or the Glenbrittle car park is free; buses from Portree, Broadford, and Kyleakin stop at the Sligachan Hotel.