Trail magazine Spring 2022 – Aonach Eagach, Glen Coe
Test both your mettle and your downclimbing skills in Glen Coe on one of Britain’s greatest mountain ridges. Fitness: Very tough. Lots of height gain with lots of scrambling. Makes the 10km length feel harder.  Terrain: Steep ground for the duration with sustained and exposed ridge walking and Grade 2 scrambling. Some scree/boulders on the descent. Navigation: Pretty straightforward from a map reading perspective – you are on a linear ridge. Descent could be tricky in poor visibility. NN173567 The first section is mostly a steep walk. Follow the steps at the back of the lay-by and climb the hill for about 30 minutes on a path that turns to a track, until you reach an obvious overhanging cliff. Turn the sharp left about 50m in front of it and follow the track, which becomes more scrambly and at times awkward. Near the top, an obvious shallow gully appears on the left and the track splits into a series of fainter options. Head straight up next to the gully to easier terrain. A good track eventually leads to Am Bodach.  NN168580 Immediately after Am Bodach, the scrambling starts. There are sections of walking, punctuated with awkward downclimbs, short but steep scrambling and awkward pinnacles. There are occasional sections of track that avoid difficulties but remain cautious as some lead to more dangerous ground. It’s impossible to describe every difficult move in detail and once you’re on the ridge, you need to exercise your own judgement too. You should always have the option of turning around. The first downclimb after Am Bodach isn’t too bad but 50m ahead, the second is more serious. Descend on the right initially, then back to the left to an awkward ledge system below. Cross the first ledge to its end then turn back right to cross the lower one. This leads to a pinnacle which is crossed and descended on the left. The awkward looking corner slab that follows can be avoided 2m to the left. The route soon eases off until Meall Dearag. NN161583 From Meall Dearag, the ridge becomes narrow again and there are several serious steps. The difficulties become more sustained. The first one is a steep climb out of a gap. You’ll know it when you see it. Descend to pass a small but awkward slab then a pinnacle on its left. The short but steep gully/chimney feature looks a little friendlier as you get closer to it. Go straight up it via good holds and foot placements. 25m later, a rightward slanted groove leads to easier walking. Take the groove on the inside. Next up is an awkward leftward leaning slab which can be difficult when wet. This is followed by multiple awkward downclimbs.  NN154582 A short but very awkward downclimb leads to some pinnacles. Avoid being drawn to attempt a bypass on the right. This leads nowhere useful. Access them almost direct but slightly to the right. Going up and over is better than down to the steep grassy slopes. After yet more sections of up and awkward down, a tall pinnacle can be climbed difficultly on its right edge or bypassed via a path on the right. This marks the last major difficulty and the route to Stob Coire Lèith is a lovely section of ridge walking. Continue to Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh. NN140582 Don’t try to descend northward from Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh, down the easy looking slope. Continue straight ahead in a western direction, towards another narrowing of the ridge. Do not be tempted to head south-west down Clachaig Gully – it is steep, eroded and very loose. Instead, pick up the track that descends north-west, on the left slope of Cnap Glas, initially through awkward, rocky terrain. It’s easy to lose the track but just continue west-north-west and you will eventually reach a cairn that marks the joining of two routes; the other takes you to the Pap of Glencoe. Join the Pap track and follow it downhill to the main road. This track ends at a car park, where it’s convenient to leave a second car if possible. If you’ve stayed at the hostel or Red Squirrel Campsite, then just remember to turn left on reaching the road.  PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk.  From Trail magazine, to subscribe visit www.GreatMagazines.co.uk/Trailmagazine  Copyright Bauer Media Limited 2022.

Start

Finish

Trail magazine Spring 2022 – Aonach Eagach, Glen Coe