Like all the other Black Cuillin mountains it is made predominantly of gabbro rock and has little vegetation.

From here an airy and challenging scramble up the peak's north ridge is required to attain the summit.

The south face of the mountain, by contrast, falls sheer to the bealach between Sgùrr MhicChoinnich and Sgùrr Thearlaich, and the easiest route up this face (King's Chimney) is a V. Diff rock climb.

For those with the ability to reach this bealach, however, a remarkable terrace, Collie's Ledge, which is only a Grade 2 scramble, avoids King's Chimney entirely by traversing the western flank of the peak and joining up with the north ridge.

This ledge is difficult to find, but when located, it is often used by mountaineers on the full traverse of the Cuillin ridge to gain the summit without having to climb King's Chimney.