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Isle of Skye
Minginish

The Inaccessible Pinnacle (In Pinn), Sgùrr Dearg

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Inaccessible Pinnacle (In Pinn), Sgùrr Dearg

Hiking

5.0

(13)

Mountaineering

5.0

(4)

The hardest Munro to bag, Sgùrr Dearg’s summit is the top of the fairly accurately named Inaccessible Pinnacle. You can only reach it by rock climbing, and whilst there are plenty of guides to help you, many remain content to reach the pinnacle itself, a far simpler task.

At 3,234 feet (986 m), Sgùrr Dearg is the second-highest peak in the Cuillin and is a bare, rocky mountain set into a tremendous landscape. Any ascent of this well-known peak is a serious undertaking with tricky route-finding and some scrambly sections. The reward is monumental views and the feeling of having (nearly) summited one of Scotland’s most dramatic mountains.

Ascend the toughest Munro to bag

Glen Brittle, to the west of the peak, is one of the most popular starting points, where the approach is fairly straightforward. until you reach the scree slopes. For a much longer adventure and a considerable walk-in, you can approach from the east. However you get to the top, you’ll encounter scree, making this a mountain for those with reasonable experience with grade 1 scrambling (grade 2 if approaching from West Ridge).

When you reach the hikeable summit, you’re rewarded by absolutely phenomenal views of the Cuillin and the Sea of Hebrides. The Inaccessible Pinnacle is the true summit though, and it looks resplendent. The climb to the top is easy as rock climbing goes, with one route rated a Moderate and another only rated as V. Diff. The difficulty arises from the rock’s exposure though, and the fact that its basalt make-up is slippery when wet. If you’re an experienced rock climber with gear, or climbing as part of a guided group, there are few better feelings than reaching the top.

Routes leading to this Highlight may be highly dangerous

Routes comprise technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

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  • Location: Minginish, Isle of Skye, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

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    Tips

    August 20, 2023

    Hiking

    Sgùrr Dearg – Inaccessible Pinnacle (AKA In Pinn) is a prominent peak in the Cuillin Range of Skye.
    The Pinnacle itself is a austere and rocky spike and not a hiking summit.
    All routes to the summit involve different degrees of climbing, with the easiest of the summer routes being graded as Moderate, with some serious exposure.
    You MUST bring suitable equipment, as well as being a proficient climber, or consider going with an appropriate guide.

    November 24, 2023

    Mountaineering

    The Inaccessible Pinnacle (often referred to as the In Pinn) is the spectacular pinnacle that crowns Sgùrr Dearg. The easiest way to the top is via the east ridge, a Moderate rock climb. This makes it the most difficult of all Scotland's Munros.

    July 2, 2019

    Mountaineering

    Quote here Wikipedia, as aptly formulated: The Inaccessible Pinnacle, almost always called only In-Pinn, forms the actual summit of Sgùrr Dearg. He is the summit upstream on the steep, southern flank. On the one hand, it is distinguished by its special shape, as it seems to look like a huge stone razor blade set on the mountain. On the other hand, he is generally considered the most difficult of all Scottish Munros and on top of that the only one whose climbing is possible only by climbing.
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    Elevation 920 m

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    Location: Minginish, Isle of Skye, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom

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