Hulking heavily out of the water-pitted wilds of Rannoch Moor the Black Mount range is a key landmark on the drive north to Glen Coe. Indeed this view from the A82 has become a staple cliché of landscape photography, featuring on calendars in every tourist tat emporium from John O'Groats to Gretna Green. But as ever the best way to appreciate these hills is not as a distant scenic backdrop but up close in the flesh. A full traverse over all the peaks in the range is a big day out, but if you're only doing one or two then make sure to include Stob Ghabhar, the grandest and most complex of the lot. It's easy enough to add neighbouring Stob a' Choire Odhair to the round for a two-Munro day; there's a shorter way of doing so than the route described, but it's not as good.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: DifficultDistance: 10.86 miles (17.48 km)
Total ascent: 1,301m
Steepest Gradient: 49% (1 in 2)
Time: 7:30 hours (Walking)
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Additional Information
Start/Finish:Car park near Victoria Bridge, NN270419
Nearest town:
Oban
Terrain:
Clear paths, except from Coire na Muic onto the Aonach Eagach, and descending off Sron nan Giubhas into Coirein Lochain. The ground in the corries tends to be soggy.
Seasonal variations:
In snow the narrow upper crest of Aonach Eagach might feel slightly sketchy if you're not used to this sort of thing, but it's short lived. The edge of Coirein Lochain can carry quite a big cornice at times. In winter care might be needed on the descent of Sron nan Giubhas too.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: West Highlands – Met Office: West Highlands
Public transport:
Bus or train from Glasgow to Bridge of Orchy, but after this you're on your own.
Guidebooks:
West Highland Way, Dan Bailey, pb. Pocket Mountains http://www.pocketmountains.com/product/west-highland-way 100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains, Ralph Storer, pb. Sphere
Maps:
OS Explorer 377 (1:25,000), OS Explorer 384 (1:25,000), Harvey/BMC Ben Nevis (1:40,000), OS Landranger 50 (1:50,000)
Accommodation:
Bunkhouse at the Bridge of Orchy Hotel 01838 400208
Find more Listings near this route
Tourist info:
Tyndrum (08452 255 121)
Further Routes
by Dan Bailey UKH
- East Ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn and Beinn Teallach 21 Jan
- A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire 4 Dec, 2023
- Meall na Teanga & Sron a' Choire Ghairbh - The Loch Lochy Munros 6 Nov, 2023
- Bynack More 19 Oct, 2023
- Beinn a' Mhuinidh 4 Oct, 2023