United Kingdom
Scotland
Highlands
Glencoe And Glen Etive
Stob Coire nan Lochan Summit
United Kingdom
Scotland
Highlands
Glencoe And Glen Etive
Stob Coire nan Lochan Summit
Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 22 hikers
Routes leading to this Highlight may be dangerous
Routes may comprise technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.
The Bidean dominates Glencoe, a superb mountain massif boasting two Munro summits and a number of spectacular subsidiary tops. Hikes to Stob Coire Nan Lochan take you to a top that is arguably even more dramatically situated than the two Munros.
An incredible maze of ridges, peaks and corries, many find the Bidean’s huge presence daunting on first acquaintance. There’s a lifetime of adventure to discover here, though the going can be challenging.
A sensational viewpoint for the mountains of Glencoe
Walking routes to Stob Coire Nan Lochan follow sometimes faint paths over rough ground, often involving a scramble or two. It is possible to gain Bidean Nam Bian’s precipitous north east ridge from the magical Lost Valley or from Corie Nam Beith and ascend to Stob Coire Nan Lochan from there. The most direct routes ascend through the mountain’s own Coire nan Lochan, an atmospheric arena.
Whichever way you take, your reward on the top is magnificent. Bidean Nam Bian’s muscular main summit rises above the connecting ridge to the south west. In the opposite direction, the Aonach Eagach’s jagged pinnacles are seen in stupendous profile. Behind all this rise the Mamores and beyond that, Ben Nevis’ bulky form. An interesting view down onto Three Sisters is the reverse of what many motorists see from the A82.
The Kingshouse Hotel and the Clachaig Inn offer historic lodgings, whilst there’s plenty of other accommodation options in Glencoe and Ballachulish. A wild camp in the Lost Valley is unforgettable.
Any route on the Bidean is extremely serious in winter conditions and avalanches are common. Only experienced and equipped mountaineers should attempt its summits during such times.
Location: Glencoe And Glen Etive, Highlands, Scotland, United Kingdom
From Bidean nam Bian, which stands at 3,773 feet (1,150 m), you descend down to a rocky path. Sometimes, it's obscured and we took a route around the red rocks instead, which seemed slightly safer. It's then a climb to the next summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan, which stands at 3,658 feet (1,115 m). It's joyful on the legs after ascending all of that way.
The summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan seems to attract some larger flies than our midge friends, not sure why. We didn’t spend too long at this summit and descended to get away from them.
It certainly feels like you are on top of the world when you come around to this section, you can see where you have come from and the amazing views of every other distant peak you could wish to tackle. We will definitely be back again soon.
September 14, 2021
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