Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coe

I left my vehicle in the car park on the south side of the A82, east of The Study in Glen Coe, then walked south along the path towards Lairig Eilde. At a junction of paths I took the left fork.

Lairig Eilde and Stob Coire Sgreamhach
Lairig Eilde and Stob Coire Sgreamhach

This path was upgraded a few years ago with lots of boulders added which made it like a staircase in places. Prior to reaching the col between Stob Coire Raineach and Stob Dubh the path was fairly steep with some erosion and a bit of snow cover.

Buachaille Etive Beag 902 Knoll
Buachaille Etive Beag 902 Knoll
Stob Coire Raineach
Stob Coire Raineach

From this col I climbed the Munro, Stob Coire Raineach, where I had some good views especially from a point slightly to the north.

Glen Coe and the Aonach Eagach
Glen Coe and the Aonach Eagach
A' Chailleach
A’ Chailleach
Blackwater Reservoir and Beinn a' Chrulaiste
Blackwater Reservoir and Beinn a’ Chrulaiste
Stob Dearg and Stob na Doire, Buachaille Etive Mor
Stob Dearg and Stob na Doire, Buachaille Etive Mor
Ben Starav Mountains and Loch Etive
Ben Starav Mountains and Loch Etive
Stob Dubh. Loch Etive beyond
Stob Dubh. Loch Etive beyond

After an extended break at its summit I returned to the col and commenced the ascent of the Munro, Stob Dubh, on an eroded stony path.

A large snowfield was crossed then it was onto the 902 knoll. Thereafter it was an easy walk along the ridge over a couple of small snow patches before the ridge narrowed and steepened. The edge of a cornice was followed to Stob Dubh’s summit cairn. The cairn to the south, which I visited, had better views down Glen Etive towards Loch Etive.

Glen Etive and Loch Etive
Glen Etive and Loch Etive
Stob Coire Sgreamhach and Bidean nam Bian
Stob Coire Sgreamhach and Bidean nam Bian
Ben Nevis in the distance
Ben Nevis in the distance
Lairig Gartain and Buachaille Etive Mor
Lairig Gartain and Buachaille Etive Mor
Stob na Doire, Stob Coire Altruim and Stob na Broige
Stob na Doire, Stob Coire Altruim and Stob na Broige

There was a cold wind here so I returned to the col and after a break here descended to the car park via the path used earlier that day.

  • Time taken – 5.25 hours.
  • Distance – 8.75 kilometres.
  • Height climbed – 945 metres.