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The Munros of Buachaille Etive Mor

Highland Walk

County/Area - Highland - Fort William Lochaber

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 8.2 miles / 13.3 km    Ascent - 3740 feet / 1133 metres

Time - 7 hours 50 minutes    Grade - mod/hard

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer 384Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer 384Digital Map1:25kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - The Munros of Buachaille Etive Mor
Click image to see photo description.

This walk from the head of Glencoe includes the two Munros on Buachaille Etive Mor, Stob Dearg and Stob na Broige. This hill lies close to the A82 near the head of Glencoe and its pyramid-like aspect is seen by many each year. Hidden from view, the hill's four-kilometre ridge contains two Munros plus two subsidiary summits. The route follows good paths and despite the steep approach to the ridge the walk offers no further difficulties.

The start is Altnafeadh (Grid ref. NN221563) where parking is available in parking areas on both sides of the A82. After parking head south along the track that leads across a bridge over the River Coupall towards the white cottage of Lagangarbh. Two hundred metres beyond the cottage the path forks. Keep right here and start to climb steadily soon crossing the Allt Coire na Tulaich. The path stays on the west side of the stream as the gradient steepens with the crags of Stob Dearg to your left.

Continuing upwards into dramatic Coire na Tulaich the path steepens with the coire wall ahead. However, you are faced with no technical difficulties with the ascent easing to reach a col (Grid ref. NN 216542). Turn left and follow the well-trodden path to the summit of Stob Dearg (1022 m.), the first Munro of the route. Take time to enjoy the view taking particular note of the onward route along the ridge to Stob na Doire and beyond to Stob na Broige.

Retrace your steps down to the col (NN216542) and continue ahead on an undulating path that follows the ridge before climbing steadily onto Stob na Doire's summit (1011 m.). Despite its height, Stob na Doire is not a Munro. A steepish descent leads down to the head of Coire Altruim (grid ref. NN201529) from where you will later descend to complete the route.

Continue ahead to cross Stob Coire Altruim with a short descent before the steady ascent along a narrowing ridge to reach Stob na Broige (956 m.). Enjoy the view which extends south-west to Loch Etive. To continue retrace your steps to the col at the head of Coire Altruim and turn left down the steep path which descends on the west side of Allt Coire Altruim to join the Lairig Gartain path (grid ref. NN199542). Follow this path down the valley to reach the A82. Turn right and return to the start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2819 Stob na Broige, Buchaille Etive Mor, Glen Coemod/hard6.1 miles
Walk 2808 Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coehard9.0 miles
Walk 2554 The Lost Valley, Glen Coeeasy/mod4.2 miles
Walk 3251 Bidean nam Bian via Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glencoehard5.0 miles
Walk 1496 WHW - Day 6 - Kinlocheven to Fort Williammoderate15.0 miles
Walk 3106 Binnein Mor from Kinlochlevenhard10.2 miles
Walk 1039 Am Bodach and Stob Coire a' Chairnmod/hard9.5 miles
Walk 1094 Blackwater Reservoirmoderate11.5 miles
Walk 2955 Ridges & peaks of Bidean Nam Bianvery hard10.5 miles
Walk 3118 Sgor na h'Ulaidh from Achnachon, Glen Coemod/hard8.0 miles

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