A walk · Isle of Eigg

An Sgùrr – Eigg's Great Ridge of Pitchstone

About 5 miles on foot.

An Sgùrr is the great wall of rock that gives Eigg its outline, and the climb to the top of it is the island's big walk, with all the Small Isles spread out below.

In winter it isn't a day trip, because the ferry gives little more than two hours ashore, so it needs a night or more on the island. From April, with longer days and the summer boats from Mallaig and Arisaig, it can be done in a day. It's a hill walk, steep and rough near the top, and one for a clear day.

Time: Three to four hours: 8 km, or 5 miles, from the pier and back, with about 400 metres of climb, on Walkhighlands' figures.
The path: A rough, wet moorland track, then a steep, rocky climb onto a ridge of bare rock.
Where to start: Start on foot at the pier at Galmisdale. Visitors can't bring a car to Eigg. In Mallaig, the West Bay car park is charged and five minutes from the ferry, and the East Bay car park is free and 10 to 15 minutes' walk.
When to go: All year in clear weather, for anyone staying on Eigg. In winter, from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027, the ferry sails on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and gives little more than two hours ashore, so it needs a night or more on the island. From April it works as a day trip. From November to January start by 10.30am.
Dogs: On a lead: sheep graze the moor.
Children: A steep hill walk of three to four hours, with a cliff below the ridge: for older children used to hills.
Toilets: Toilets and showers at Taigh Nighe by the pier, open day and night all year.
Before you set out: In winter the ferry gives little more than two hours ashore, so stay a night or more. A hill walk for a clear day: leave it in low cloud, ice or a gale.

The walk

Visitors reach Eigg as foot passengers on CalMac's ferry from Mallaig, and can't bring a car. On the winter timetable, from 19 October 2026 to 25 March 2027, the boat leaves Mallaig at 10.15am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and reaches Eigg at 11.35am, or at 2.15pm on a Saturday. Boats back leave Eigg at 11.55am on a Monday, 1.55pm on a Wednesday and a Friday and 2.35pm on a Saturday. That's little more than two hours ashore, so in winter plan on a night or more on the island. Book the boat with the Mallaig port office on 01687 310240, option 2, by 4pm on the working day before you sail. Gales cancel sailings in winter, so keep a day in hand. The walk starts at the pier at Galmisdale. An Sgùrr stands over the south of the island, a ridge of grey pitchstone a mile long that the Trust which owns Eigg calls the largest of its kind in Europe. It formed 58 million years ago, when a flow from a volcano on Skye filled a river valley here. The softer rock on either side has since worn away and left the valley's filling standing as a ridge.

Walkhighlands gives the walk from the pier to the top and back as 8 km, or five miles, with about 400 metres of climb, and allows three to four hours. The top is 393 metres above the sea. The way crosses open moor on a rough, wet track towards the cliff and then climbs steeply onto the ridge. From the top the view takes in Rum, Muck and the rest of the Small Isles. This is a hill walk, not a stroll. The upper part is steep, rocky and slippery when wet, the ridge is bare rock with a long cliff below it, and there's no shelter anywhere on the way. Wear boots, carry a map, a compass and waterproofs, and keep it for a clear day without much wind. In low cloud, ice or a gale, leave it for another day. Sheep graze the moor, so keep dogs on a lead. From November to January the sun is down before 5pm, and before 4pm in December, so start by 10.30am.

The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust's website lists the places to stay, from the hostel and camping pods near the pier to bothies and B&Bs at Cleadale. Only the Eigg Organics bothy is listed as open all year, so ring before you book the boat. The Galmisdale Bay Cafe and Bar is beside the island's shop at the head of the pier. From autumn it asks you to book by noon on the day you want to eat, on 01687 482487. The toilets and showers next door are open day and night. From April a day trip works. Arisaig Marine's boat sails to Eigg from Arisaig between April and September, and on CalMac's 2026 summer timetable the Monday boat gave about five and a half hours ashore. The 2027 summer timetables are still to come.

If it rains

Not a walk for rain, low cloud or a gale: the rock is slippery when wet and there's no shelter. On a poor day take the track to Grulin under the cliffs instead, or the road across the island to Laig Bay. Wind is what stops the ferry: check CalMac's service status before you travel.

Before you go

Book the ferry to Eigg
Book the CalMac ferry from Mallaig to Eigg with the Mallaig port office on 01687 310240, option 2, by 4pm on the working day before you sail, out and back, and be at the pier 20 minutes before the boat.
Book Galmisdale Bay Cafe and Bar
From autumn, book by noon on the day you want to eat at the Galmisdale Bay Cafe and Bar by the pier, on 01687 482487.

Find out more

For further reading, before you go.