passes a cairned top at 25238 73038 before reaching another cairn on a rocky top known as Caisteal (‘the castle’) at 24670 72929 (this is Point 1104 on the OS map). The ridge narrows here, then passes another small cairn before reaching the summit of Stob Coire an Laoigh at 23994 72513, where there is a small enclosure of stones. Continue west-northwest to the summit of Stob Coire Easain at 23480 72728 (5hrs 20mins).
If you are continuing on the ridge and descending into Glen Nevis, head southwest from here over Sgurr Choinnich Mor and Sgurr Choinnich Beag, reversing Route 4. If you are returning to the day’s starting point, turn north along the broad north ridge of Stob Coire Easain. Pass over Beinn na Socaich and continue descending to the north to about Point 23298 74692 before veering north-northeast. Veering off too soon will lead you onto crags on the east side of the ridge. The Allt Choimhlidh river must next be crossed. Descend a very steep grass slope close to the edge of the forest where there is a dam across the river. Unfortunately it is not possible to cross via the dam itself, but the river can most easily be crossed a few metres in front of the dam. There is a stile at the far side of the dam which leads via a walkway to a forest track. This emerges some way below the tramway and takes you back to the main track between Corriechoille and your starting point. A more direct way back is to climb the embankment on the other side of the river and descend through a clearing in the trees to reach the rather muddy line of the old tramway, which can be followed directly back to the car parking area. The rails of the tramway have been long-since removed and only a few sleepers and the broken remains of one or two bridges now remain.
ROUTE 4
Sgurr Choinnich Mor (1094m)
| Start/Finish | from the east end of car park follow footpath through Nevis gorge |
| distance | 16km |
| Ascent | 1020m |
| Time | 6hrs |
| Maps | OS sheet 41; Explorer map 392; Harvey’s Superwalker map Ben Nevis; Area Map 1; see Route 2 for sketch map |
| Access | Hillphones, tel: 01397 732362 |
| Parking | car park at the end of Glen Nevis |
| Hostel | YHA Glen Nevis; Independent Glen Nevis |
| B&B/Hotel | Glen Nevis, Fort William |
| Camping | Glen Nevis campsite |
| Pronunciation | Skoor Chorneech More |
| Translation | Big Peak of the Moss |
This pleasant walk starts along the Water of Nevis and takes you up to the most westerly peaks of the Grey Corries.
The approach to Sgurr Choinnich Mor from Glen Nevis is a sheer delight, following the spectacular path along the water of Nevis past the picturesque waterfall at Steall. Continue over a wooden bridge and past the ruins for a further 2km to a point where the path becomes vague at 20457 68876 (1hr 15mins).
From here, strike up the rough grassy hillside in a northeasterly direction, picking out the easiest line. There are traces of a path for a while but this quickly peters out. A small waterfall about halfway up the slope can be passed on either side. You should emerge eventually just below the steeper slopes of Sgurr Choinnich Beag at 21662 70686. Climb quite steeply northeast up a narrowing ridge to the summit at 22014 71014 (3hrs 20mins).
The Grey Corries from col between Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag
Aonach Beag from Sgur Choinnich Beag
Descend to a col to the east of Sgurr Choinnich Beag and continue up to the summit of its slightly higher neighbour, Sgurr Choinnich Mor. The summit cairn is at 22771 71408, and from here, weather permitting, you’ll get wonderful views of the rocky bastions of the Aonachs to the west and the shapely peaks of the Mamores to the south (3hrs 50mins).
Return by the same route.
THE MAMORES
Rubbing shoulders with the great mountain mass of Ben Nevis to the north and the grandeur of the Aonach Eagach and the Glencoe hills to the south, the Mamores promise much. They don’t disappoint. The 10 Munros and seven tops of this range can be tackled equally well from the Glen Nevis side or from Kinlochleven, and can be grouped together in many different ways to provide excellent ridge walking on red granite and interfolded white quartzite and schists. Deep corries fall away from the ridges at every turn. Fell runners will do all the peaks in a single day. Mere mortals will be happy to take longer. The range is split here into three superb outings, one from the Glen Nevis side and the other two from Kinlochleven, allowing the entire ridge to be covered in three days without undue strain.
ROUTE 5
Mullach nan Coirean (939m), Stob Ban (999m), Sgurr a’ Mhaim (1099m)
| Start/Finish | footpath from road opposite the buildings at Polldubh |
| distance | 15km |
| Ascent | 1470m |
| Difficulty | exposed section on the Devil’s Ridge – may become dangerous in high wind |
| Time | 7hrs |
| Maps | OS sheet 41; Explorer map 392; Harvey’s Superwalker map Ben Nevis; Area Map 1 |
| Access | Hillphone: 01855 831511 (no stalking in this area) |
| Parking | car park by the bridge at Polldubh |
| Hostel | YHA Glen Nevis; Independent Glen Nevis |
| B&B/Hotel | Glen Nevis, Fort William |
| Camping | Glen Nevis campsite |
| Pronunciation | Mooluch nuh Yerrigen; Stob Ban; Skoor uh Vime |
| Translation | Summit of the Corries; White Peak; Peak of the Round Hill |
This classic walk crosses three Munros and incorporates a wonderful variety of scenery and some excellent ridge walking, including the deliciously exposed Devil’s Ridge.
Opposite the buildings at Polldubh a gated forestry track winds gently up the hillside. Starting to the left of the track (14238 68360) a footpath takes a more direct line, rejoining the track just before its second sharp bend. Follow this track through the forest, passing a junction on the left, until some stone steps (13496 68455) lead up through an area of clear-fell. Follow this up to a fence which is crossed by a stile, then follow the fence over open rising ground until it turns abruptly east (13143 67128). From here the northeast ridge of Mullach is clearly defined and a path on its crest takes you past a cairned top (12325 66513) to Mullach nan Coirean’s main summit at 12238 66218.
Head southeast from the summit cairn until the round granite dome of Mullach narrows to a ridge once again. The ridge then rises over the South