NG5019 : Sgurr na Stri
Long, rough mountain walk; navigation essential

Sgurr na Stri

495m Elevation
226m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NG5019 : Sgurr na Stri

Matthew Chadwick Photo source

Overview

Sgurr na Stri: two tops above Coruisk

Sgurr na Stri is a 495 m Marilyn on Skye, with 226 m prominence. It is not a Munro. The highest point is the eastern summit at NG 50075 19257. DoBIH records its cairn and identifies the western cairn at NG 49969 19289 as about 110 m WNW and 0.5–1.0 m lower. The survey record moved the summit east in June 2012.

The Sligachan approach

Start at the walking car park beside the old Sligachan bridge, NG487298. The route follows Glen Sligachan, branches towards Druim Hain and contours beneath Sgurr Hain before a rough, partly pathless final ascent. Return by the northern approach and the same glen path.

The conspicuous western cairn is a celebrated viewpoint over Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin, but reaching it alone does not reach the surveyed summit. The higher eastern top looks towards Camasunary, Loch na Creitheach and Blabheinn. The cleft and rocky ground between them require careful route-finding; a direct line across the gap must not be treated as a safe path.

Walkhighlands publishes 23.5 km, 645 m ascent and 7–8 hours for its walk, which initially reaches the western cairn and mentions the eastern summit separately. The exact eastern-summit variant is not separately measured in the inspected evidence, so those figures are not assigned as a certified total for the route here. Plan a full mountain day, with extra time for the summit ground and conditions.

Other approaches

A boat from Elgol can provide a start at Loch Scavaig near Coruisk, but it requires confirmed weather-dependent sailings and an agreed pickup. It does not make the walk an 8 km trip from Elgol. Coastal routes via Camasunary, the Bad Step, bothy approaches and overnight itineraries have different hazards and logistics. No interchangeable fixed totals are provided for them.

Rock and name

BGS describes layered gabbro, dykes and cone sheets on Sgurr na Stri, with basalt on its lowest southern slopes. Ice has sculpted the surrounding basin. The name is translated as “peak of strife”; the reason for that name is not verified here.

Access and care

The John Muir Trust maintains major approach paths in this area and asks visitors to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Respect current notices and working land. Streams may be impassable in spate; upper paths disappear into slabs, gullies and crags. Keep away from cliff edges, and carry navigation, clothing, food and water for a long return.

Check buses serving Sligachan and the last service home. Seumas’ Bar and the hotel provide services at the trailhead, subject to opening. There are no verified facilities on the mountain route. Other nearby summits listed here are separate outings and are not included in this walk.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Sgurr na Stri from Sligachan, out and back

Start and finish at the walking car park beside the old Sligachan bridge, NG487298. Follow Glen Sligachan south, crossing burns, then take the right branch after the watershed towards Druim Hain. At the ridge junction take the left branch below Sgurr Hain. The path fades on the final rocky ascent. The prominent western viewpoint cairn is lower than the actual summit: DoBIH places the eastern high point at NG 50075 19257, with a rough cleft separating the tops. Reaching it needs careful route-finding; do not assume a direct crossing of the cleft is a safe path. Return by the northern approach and Glen Sligachan to the same car park. No numeric total is assigned here because the published walk’s western-viewpoint line and eastern-summit extension are not separately measured. This is a long mountain day. Boat transfers, Camasunary, the Bad Step and Elgol coastal approaches are outside this itinerary.

Long, rough mountain walk; navigation essential
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn 400-499m hill

Elevation

495m

1,624 ft

Prominence

226m

Coordinates

57.1958, -6.1390

NG500192

OS Map

32

Explorer: 411

At the Summit

DoBIH records a cairn at the eastern summit, NG 50075 19257. The western viewpoint cairn at NG 49969 19289, about 110 m WNW, is recorded as 0.5–1.0 m lower. Visiting only the western cairn does not reach the highest natural summit.

Terrain & Geology

A long glen path with boggy stretches and burn crossings leads to rough rocky and partly pathless upper ground. Gullies slabs and crags complicate navigation between the summit tops.

Sgurr na Stri exposes layered gabbro of the Cuillin igneous complex, cut by dykes and cone sheets. BGS identifies basalt lava on the lowest southern slopes. Glacial erosion has shaped the surrounding Coruisk basin and rock surfaces; describing the whole hill as granite is misleading.

Views & Scenery

The western top overlooks Loch Coruisk and the Black Cuillin, with Eigg and Rum visible in clear weather. The higher eastern top looks over Camasunary, Loch na Creitheach and Blabheinn. Views differ between the tops.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The Gaelic Sgùrr na Strì is commonly translated as “peak of strife”. The reason for the name is not established by the sources used here.

Historical Significance

DoBIH moved the recorded summit from the western to the eastern top in June 2012 after surveying their relative heights. The Sligachan approach passes the monument to Cuillin mountaineers Norman Collie and John MacKenzie.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

For the described all-walking approach use the car park beside the old Sligachan bridge at NG487298, on the opposite side of the river from the hotel. Follow current parking signs and keep access clear. Elgol parking belongs to a different coastal or boat-assisted approach.

Public Transport

Walkhighlands lists buses from Portree, Broadford and Kyleakin stopping at Sligachan Hotel. Check current operator timetables and the last return service before committing to this long walk. Boat-assisted starts instead require travel to Elgol and a separately booked, weather-dependent crossing to Loch Scavaig.

Nearby Facilities

Food and accommodation are available at Sligachan Hotel and Seumas’ Bar, subject to current opening. Carry supplies for the mountain day; no facilities are verified along the summit route. Do not assume hotel toilets or parking are unrestricted public facilities.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Burn crossings can become unsafe after heavy rain. Do not force a crossing in spate.
  • The upper hill is rocky and partly pathless, with crags and a cleft between the western viewpoint and eastern summit. Poor visibility makes route-finding difficult.
  • A low summit height does not mean a short walk: the Sligachan return is a full mountain day. Plan daylight, food, water and a secure return arrangement.
  • Stay back from cliff edges. Wet or icy slabs and strong wind increase the risk of a slip.
  • Boat-assisted alternatives require weather-dependent transport and an agreed return pickup. They are not short walks starting at Sligachan or Elgol, and coastal alternatives can introduce additional hazards.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Sgurr na Stri?

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Are there other walkers around Sgurr na Stri?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Sgurr na Stri search or of course create your own walk for Sgurr na Stri

Can I organise a walk to Sgurr na Stri?

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

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Can I suggest a new route up Sgurr na Stri?

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Location

Sgurr na Stri location map

Grid reference: NG500192

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