Day 1 Aonach Eagach, Glen Coe. From the summit descend the path westwards, with the main event now clearly in view – ‘The Pinnacles’. I had a memorable experience on it in winter, however, don't try and emulate it. Some of the best in Scotland. Turn to the East and there are a number of long ridges - Beinn Fhada being the closest with the Buachailles Etive Beag and Etive Mor beyond, then further again the Blackmount Hills. These cookies do not store any personal information. Viewed from Glencoe below, the Aonach Eagach appears as a narrow crest with a series of small towers. There are many short scrambles necessary all along this ridge; the trickiest section is known as the 'Crazy Pinnacles' and is well along the ridge. The Aonach Eagach Ridge is one of the most well-known ridges in Scotland and for many people it is high on their mountaineering list. Giant lumps of rock that looked impossible to pass. The path climbs steeply up the south east ridge of Am Bodach giving some really great views of the Lost Valley and the Three Sisters. Celebratory pints are de rigor! This generosity enables us to publish a whole range of scrambling routes to help you enjoy the outdoors. The ridge towers at 953m high and is often thought of as the UK’s toughest ridge walk, and with good reason, as its tricky to traverse and has drop offs that’ll leave you needing to promptly change your underwear. By The Newsroom. This is the true Aonach Eagach, or 'notched ridge'. Nothing quite gets a hillwalker's heart racing like a ridge walk. Note that there are no safe descents from the Aonach Eagach once embarked on this section of ridge; there have been many accidents to scramblers attempting to leave the ridge before the end of the scrambling. The Aonach Eagach By Colin Hogarth. Park at the small parking area on the north side of the A82 about three hundred metres west of the solitary house at Allt-na-reigh. Want a website thank ranks in Google Search. Facebook. using a map and compass. It is sometimes recommended to descend instead southwards from the summit to Loch Achtriochtan; however this is a very steep descent with much scree and is also probably best avoided. There are two options for the route up Am Bodach, heading either directly and very steeply up the spur to the summit, or alternatively heading further right to come alongside the Allt Ruigh. Below shows the route outline for Aonach Eagach. Meall Dearg is a good viewpoint for the other Glencoe peaks, but all walkers eyes will be drawn to the ridge ahead - a frightening prospect for many! The first Munro of Meall Darg is reached swiftly afterward but the majority of the scrambling is then to come as the ridge gradually narrows from here on in. The Aonach Eagach ridge Aonach Eagach from A82: The Lost Valley below Bidean nam Bian: Below Am Bodach: Descent by the Chancellor: Descending the crazy pinnacles : Looking back from Stob Coire Liath: Sgorr nam Fionnaidh from Stob Coire Liath: Glencoe with Buchaille Etive Mhor prominent from Sgorr nam Fionnaidh: Wednesday 10 July 2013 Ascent: 1115 metres Distance: 10 … Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Aonach Eagach. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The ridge has been the scene of many epics on account of its length and its difficulty. We traversed the ridge without a problem Ben was very good telling us what we needed to do and talking us through the difficult sections. 1045 – Traverse the Aonach Eagach ridge! No votes so far! To the North you can look down on the serrated ridge of Aonach Eagach, beyond which lies the massive bulk of Ben Nevis and to the East of The Ben are the Mamores. There was only one way and that was to cross them. The only possible escape route is descend northwards from Meall Dearg (incidentally this route gives an easy ascent to Meall Dearg for baggers who do not wish to traverse the ridge). Aonach Eagach is consistently ranked as the best ridge walk and scramble in the UK and in the top few across the world by National Geographic (allegedly). We took 2 cars since it was a linear walk so that saved us having to walk miles back to the car once we had traversed the ridge. The difficulties then end when the Munro 'Top' of Stob Coire Leith is reached. People are asked to stay at home except for essential purposes. Please Register as a New User in order to reply to this topic. Start from the car park on the A82 at NN 17333 56746 (maps link). It is not technically difficult but the section between Meal Dearg and Stob Coire Leith ('The Crazy Pinnacles') is particularly airy and exposed and is not for the remotely faint-hearted. “I live for everything outdoors and to me a bad day in the hills still beats a good day in the office.”, Sam regularly publishes route blogs on his website, This route was created by Sam Wainwright and donated to the. You can also check out good value accommodation nearby on Booking.com here. I had some reservations about the ridge from what I’d read/youtubed. Aonach Eagach ridge We had a very memorable day on the Aonach Eagach ridge guided by Ben from west coast mountain guides. It includes two Munros - Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. From the summit cairn continue down the increasingly exposed ridge before the ridge suddenly drops steeply down to the col. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The advice is to walk south from the Sgorr, or continue on to the Pap of Glencoe for a safer route off the ridge. Aonach Eagach is a grade 2 scrambling route. Once you’ve climbed down from the summit of Am Bodach, getting off the ridge before Stob Coire Leith would at best be incredibly arduous and at worst be terminally easy. This path mostly ascends close to the stream, making a wide zig-zag to the left at one point to avoid a rocky gorge, before emerging on the bealach between Sron Garbh and Am Bodach. We set out to walk it in perfect Scottish sunny conditions… did we agree with these accolades? On the far side follow the path to a track and then turn left to head down to the Glencoe - Clachaig road about a kilometre east of Glencoe village. Eventually the ridge becomes better defined and before you know it you’re stood on the top. Scotland is under national lockdown. The easiest descent from the summit is to continue west for another 500 m before heading north and picking up the Pap of Glencoe path down towards the Red Squirel Campsite. My confidence was finally building. The best guidebook for this route is found in the Cicerone Scrambles in Lochaber book, which is available via Paperback or Kindle Book here. Hard, exposed scrambling along the ridge between Am Bodach and Stob Coire Leith - experience and a good head for heights is required.. Citilink buses along Glen Coe (request stops at drivers discretion). , he was very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. We plan to meet at The Clachaig Inn, check kit and drive to the east side of the glen. Friday 7am and we set off for walk number 1 which would be the famous grade 1/2 Aonach Eagach ridge. This website contains route information submitted by real people like you, accounting the facts and personal tales of their experiences. Superb positions and great rock make this a really special outing which is made all the better for finishing at the legendary Clachaig Inn. Finally turn left down this path, soon swinging sharply back right and, after a further descent, crossing the Allt a'Mhuillin burn. This is the first Munro of the day, at 953 metres, and is famous as being the final Munro climbed by the Reverend A.E. The descent down its western flank is steep and forms the most difficult section of the whole traverse. Aonach Eagach ridge east to west. On own, swelteringly hot day, but great views from a stupendous walk. Crib Goch: 24/07/2014: We waited for a good weather forecase before attempting the Anoach Eagach. Some cloud cover when climbing up to Am Bodach but clear when we topped Meall Dearg. WE set off together with another, much larger … The ridge has several steep rocky chimneys and other scrambling sections which must be climbed and descended, and is very exposed in some places (though it is not as consistently narrow as reputation would have it). This is an extremely popular ridge to do and rightly so! We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! It is possible to descend south directly into Glen Coe down Clachaig Gully, however this is loose and been the scene of numerous accidents and therefore can’t be recommended. 1 – (NN 17333 56746) Follow the path out of the car park up the hillside keeping up a good pace to escape the bite of wee beasties. Once you’ve climbed down from the summit of Am Bodach, getting off the ridge before Stob Coire Leith would at best be incredibly arduous and at worst be terminally easy. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands. Meall Dearg is the central summit on the celebrated Aonach Eagach ridge. If you have a route you could contribute, submit it to us today. Trail magazine and the British Mountaineering Council present Britain's Mountain Challenges. The Aonach Eagach is widely regarded as being the finest ridge walk on the UK mainland. Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen scramblers, linking the … Have you found an error or is any information wrong or missing? There is a tricky move right at the end - a very steep descent onto a narrow section of ridge, which must be climbed down facing the rock. If you have a route you could contribute. Scrambling the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe is high on many people's 'tick list'. Open start point in Google Maps for directions. High above the valley of Glen Coe is the razor-sharp ridge of Aonach Eagach; it is over 3km of serrated edges, spiky pinnacles, and heart stopping drops and it the best British ridge walk and single day out in the mountains that I have experienced. … The Aonach Eagach ridge is located in Glen Coe, which is in western Scotland and forms part of the Scottish Highlands. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walker's responsibility to check it and navigate The Aonach Eagach is the rocky ridge on the north side of Glen Coe. available via Paperback or Kindle Book here. Inspire others to try a new scrambling route, become a contributor. Open start point in Google Maps for directions. New Topic Reply to Topic. This generosity enables us to publish a whole range of scrambling routes to help you enjoy the outdoors. The Aonach Eagach (appropriately meaning 'notched ridge') runs along the northern side of Glencoe and is probably the most famous ridge in the country. This was the section I had feared the most. Instead head west along the ridge. Summary:Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen scramblers, linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh.Terrain:Hard, exposed scrambling along the ridge between Am Bodach and Stob Coire Leith - experience and a good head for heights is required.. Join us for a guided scramble on this classic ridge. All that remains is the descent from the ridge. If this isn’t an option, you can at least condole yourself with the presence of a pint on the way back. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. - See 418 traveller reviews, 340 candid photos, and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor. Usually reached as part of the hard scramble along the ridge en route to Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, it can be ascended on its own by vertigo sufferers by an approach from the north side. Robertson, who became the first man to complete the Munros here in 1901. The last two 'pinnacles' in this section will make even the most experienced scramblers pause for thought while they search for a route round them. As teenagers, George Adam and myself decided to do the Aonach Eagach, it was one of those days when the sun was shining and it is bitterly cold with no wind. Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen scramblers, linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. Walk h128 Aonach Eagach from Pass of Glen Coe. It is an exhilarating and heart stopping traverse with many scrambles, ascending and descending, linking the two Munro’s, Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh. Scrambling is the blurred middle line between hiking and climbing, considered by many to be far more enjoyable than either of them. A traverse of the Aonach Eagach is unquestionably one of the most classic scrambling routes in the whole UK (and perhaps the world over!). The ridge itself is a very linear affair, running almost the entire length of the Glen Coe and therefore its best to be a bit organised and have a car at the other end to save the 7 km walk back up the valley after you’re done. Please let us know by clicking here. The Aonach Eagach is a spectacular narrow ridge running high above the pass of Glencoe. Wednesday, 15th March 2017, 10:22 am . What's Included with this Holiday . Hey so I’m planning on going Scotland . 3 – (NN 16630 58092) The next section of the ridge along to Meal Dearg goes without incident, providing some finely positioned with the odd section of scrambling. Almost immediately after leaving the summit of Am Bodach, we scramble down an exposed section; some might say this is the hardest part of the entire ridge. A guided traverse of the Aonach Eagach, famously dubbed the narrowest ridge on the British mainland. Do you have the skills to take it on? Small car park 300m west of Allt-na-reigh. A guided walk on the Aonach Eagach takes in the tops of two Munros, Meall Dearg (953m) and Sgurr nam Fiannaidh (967m). But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Although some parties may opt to abseil, can you really say you’ve done the whole thing if you do? Cneifion Arête 21 Aug 2020. By accessing any page on ukscrambles.com you agree that you have read, understand, and will fully comply with the following pages: Terms | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure. The first real scrambling comes on the descent from Am Bodach. Once your at the road, pick up your car and go and order yourself a pint. Whatever measure you use to assess the quality of a scramble - length, exposure, views, or overall adrenal gland-squeezing awesomeness - the castellated crest of rock that looms menacingly above Glen Coe is pretty hard to top. Pinterest. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. You have been warned! Twitter. It has a bit of a fearsome reputation amongst hill walkers due to it's inescapability once established on the ridge and it's exposed pinnacles. Aonach Eagach is a very exposed ridge walk. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Glen Coe's Aonach Eagach ridge is the most legendary Grade 2 scramble in Scotland. Before the ridge climbs slightly to two small cairns, bear slightly right to pick up an initially indistinct path, with a stunning view ahead over the Ballachulish narrows. The finest ridge walk in mainland Britain - but not for the faint hearted . The route summits two Munros; Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, but for many it is the legendary grade 2 scrambling in between these mountains that makes this such an exhilarating challenge. Viewed from Glencoe below, the Aonach Eagach ridge appears as a narrow crest with a series of small towers. “I live for everything outdoors and to me a bad day in the hills still beats a good day in the office.” Sam regularly publishes route blogs on his website Wainright Climbing here. The Aonach Eagach which appropriately means 'notched ridge', travels along the northern side of Glencoe and is probably the most famous ridge in the country. A short distance from the summit there is an awkward, sloping, slabby cliff to descend; it is steep but not excessively so, but there is a large drop from the ridge below it, and it can become very slippery in the wet. The ridge has been the scene of many epics on account of its length and its difficulty. This route was created by Sam Wainwright and donated to the UK Scrambles website through our contributor program. Aonach Eagach is a grade 2 scrambling route. Home » Scotland Scrambles » Aonach Eagach. It is only once onto the crest that the scale and size of the ridge of becomes apparent. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. From Stob Coire Leith the ridge continues easily with a broad path to the second Munro, Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, the highest on the ridge at 967 metres; it has a superb view of the lower reaches of Glen Coe. For me, only the Cuillin Ridge on Skye can beat it. Click for details, Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. It is also often prone to Inversions in the Glen which make it even better. This stony path eventually becomes clearer and works its way down the broad slope that links the ridge with the Pap of Glencoe. The famous Aonach Eagach, above Glen Coe, is one of the best ridge traverses in Scotland, perhaps second only to the terrifyingly awkward Black Cuillin on Skye. Be the first to rate this post. A large cairn is passed at a slight dip - ignore the path off to the left here which leads towards the Clachaig Gully and instead continue along the ridge for a short distance. The ridge is very up and down (Aonach Eagach means notched ridge) and you need stamina to complete it. Once safely down this descent, the ridge is narrow with a few short scrambly sections but fairly straightforward with a good path as it continues onto Meall Dearg. 4 – (NN 15741 58289) This is what you came for. Learn more about working with UK Scrambles here. 2 – (NN 16838 58020) Its from the summit of Am Bodach that things really start to get exciting. I was proud that I was over half way, and then I saw the pinnacles. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Competent summer scramblers have plenty of time to reverse the ridge and descend Am Bodach, saving a walk back up the glen. Follow a series of well worn ledges on the north side of the ridge before downclimbing a slight chimney and making a exposed step back across to the southern side of the ridge to reach easier ground. ... From there it was an easy walk on a broad ridge to the second of the ridge’s Munros, Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, 3 17 3ft/ 967m. Meall Dearg (Aonach Eagach) Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Updated Friday, 24th March 2017, 11:09 am. The path is initially a little eroded but soon joins a section which has been repaired. "The Aonach Eagach is arguably the most desirable ridge in Mainland Scotland to do in winter. 5 – (NN 14927 58493) From the summit of your second Munro of the day continue along to Sgorr nam Fiannaidh with great views back along the ridge. This car park is often full, in which case there is a larger car park a short distance further west along the road. As well as reading our description of each walking route, you can read about the experiences of others users on this walk and others.There are 89 user reports for this walk - click to read them. If you haven't arranged transport, you have a long walk back up the glen to return to your parked car - not included in the times or distances given. This is an excellent viewpoint, with the first hint of the drama to come in the view of a rock pinnacle known as 'The Chancellor' below (luckily our route does not visit this pinnacle!). It is only once onto the crest that the scale and size of the ridge of becomes apparent. The Pinnacles is a 500 m long very exposed section of the ridge and provides some fantastically committing and sustained scrambling. It connects two Munros, boasts an anorexic spine and some stomach-churning exposure. WhatsApp. It is situated in Glencoe and from the tops you get phenomenal views across the Glen. Aonach Eagach or curved ridge or an tellac or cr. West Coast Mountain Guides: Aonach Eagach ridge walk. Your consent Eagach ) Hear pronunciation Press to Hear pronunciation and donated to the activity of scrambling park a distance! Or missing where the direct option is joined rock make this a really special outing which is made the! Nothing quite gets a hillwalker 's heart racing like a ridge walk notched. 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Condole yourself with the main event now clearly in view – ‘ Pinnacles... Back right and, after a further descent, crossing the Allt a'Mhuillin burn stood on the descent the... To get exciting Glen which make it even better ridge we had memorable!, considered by many to be far more enjoyable than either of them a little eroded but soon a... Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, boasts an anorexic spine and some stomach-churning exposure this park! Superb positions and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor Survey 384, Glen Coe except! The better for finishing at the Clachaig Inn connects two Munros - meall Dearg is the well-known! At Tripadvisor once onto the crest that the scale and size of the ridge of becomes apparent, with main...