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| © steven fallon |
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peaks
ascent distance time start/finish map |
Mullach nan Coirean (939m, Munro 236)
Stob Ban (999m, Munro 140) Sgurr an Iubhair (1001m, Ex-Munro) Sgurr a'Mhaim (1099m, Munro 51) Am Bodach (1032m, Munro 99) Stob Coire a'Chairn (981m, Munro 171) An Gearanach (982m, Munro 166) Na Grugaichean (1056m, Munro 74) Binnein Mor (1130m, Munro 27) Sgurr Eilde Mor (1010m, Munro 123) Binnein Beag (943m, Munro 230) 3400m (11,150ft) 34km (21m) running : 8:30hr, walking : 15hr Acchriabhach in Glen Nevis (NN 142 684) OS landranger 41 |
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main route summary The Mamores is one of the finest mountain ranges in Scotland, with 10 munros compacted into 34km. It is perfectly possible for fit hillwalkers and hill runners to bag all the Mamore peaks in one outing. Some people will say that doing this will not do the range justice - pah to that ! The peaks are all linked in one long chain with three deviations for outlying summits. Once up onto the ridge, the views change continuously and the tops all have different characters. It is only to the end of the route that there any significant drops or re-ascents. Much of the route is done following paths, and several stalkers tracks lead up to the ridge from various starting points in Glen Nevis to the north and Kinlochleven and the West Highland Way to the south. |
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main route outline Getting there In Fort William, just north of the Sport's Complex, there is a small roundabout. Take the turning into Glen Nevis and head up here for 7km to a large car-park just before the bridges over the Water of Nevis. For the main route, walk back along this road for 350m to some forestry where a track heads south into the forest. Mullach nan Coirean From the road, start to head up the forestry track and notice the path of left at the edge of the deer-fence. Take this path uphill through the forest. Cross a forestry track and continue up more path to meet a forestry track. Turn left and walk up this for around 100m, looking for a small cairn on the right. This cairn (if present) marks the start of a old path uphill, which was once an obvious route, but now very overgrown. Follow it through the trees to the edge of the forest, from where the path climbs heather to get onto the north-eastern arm of Mullach nan Coirean. The path now follows a deer-fence for some distance, don't bother crossing this fence as further up, where it turns sharply, there is a hole in it to climb through. After continuing up some easy terrain, the ground narrows, steepens and becomes bouldery. Follow a path to the summit plateau, around the coire and to the large cairn on the Mullach nan Coirean's summit. What this munro lacks in height, it makes up for in quality of views. Sgurr Ban Leave Mullach nan Coirean and head south-south-east on a very faint path. The path becomes very obvious lower down and continues south-east. Uphill over Mullach nan Coirean's south-east top (marked 917 on the OS map), follow the path eastwards up to a rocky summit (see photo page). The ground drops slightly for a bit, crossing the remnants of an old wall, then, after crossing some grassy ground on a path, head up bouldery ground and zig-zag up a path to Stob Ban. Take care in winter as this summit can cornice over on its eastern side. Sgurr a'Mhaim Walk a few paces south from Stob Ban's summit, then look for a path that drops and turns east sharply. Follow this path down with occasional easy scrambling to the grassy ground below. The path meets up with the stalker's path coming up from Achriabhach and just after this, splits into two. Take the left fork and head to the lochan below Sgurr Iubhair - a good place to refill water-bottles. Follow the stalkers path up to the bealach between Sgurr Iubhair and Stob Coire a'Mhaill, then head north along a path keeping slightly to the left of the crest. The path then sticks to the narrow grassy crest over this minor top, then heads down to a narrow gap called the Devil's Ridge. Don't let the name put you off, there are no real difficulties. As you approach the gap, look down to your left for a path on loose ground. Drop a few feet, then climb up the other side of the gap and continue north on the path. After another drop, there's a brief section of easy scrambling to reach the bealach below Sgurr a'Mhaim, from where it's a simple slog up a path through boulderfield to the summit. Am Bodach Return to the bealach below Sgurr Iubhair and then get up the short section of path through boulderfield to the summit. Sgurr Iubhair was promoted to Munro status in 1984, then demoted back to a top in 1997 ! A path heads south-east from the summit. Though obvious, this route seems to be quite tricky to run on - the rocks just seem to be awkwardly spaced. The path reaches the bealach then makes a direct ascent up Am Bodach without any difficulties being encountered. Stob Coire a'Chairn Getting off Am Bodach can be slightly problematic. Aim north-east down steep loose ground on bits of worn path. Be careful with your footing as you pick your way down. Some small bits of easy scrambling are encountered, then some scree boulders as the bealach is approached. Now onto grassy ground, follow the path up over one bump, then up to the bouldery summit of Stob Coire a'Chairn. Although a fine vantage point, this summit feels more part of An Gearanach than a separate munro. An Gearanach A worn path heads initially north from the summit of Stob Coire a'Chairn. Zig-zagging through some scree, a bealach is reached below the steep climb of An Garbhanach ahead. Climb up the path on the right side of the crest, then cross over to the left, then back over to the right, before clambering up onto the crest - the route is obvious. Some sustained straightforward scrambling lies ahead up to and over An Garbhanach as the route sticks to the crest. After a slight drop, An Gearanach itself presents no difficulties. The small cairn is an excellent place to stop and take in the views. Na Gruagaichean Return along An Garbhanach to the bealach below Stob Coire a'Chairn, then head south-east, initially dropping a few metres. Pick up a faint path on the wet ground to climb gently and reach the main ridge around 500m east of Stob Coire a'Chairn's summit. (In winter, it might be more advisable to aim directly up Stob Coire a'Chairn to gain the ridge, as the area north of the crest can cornice over.) Continue on a path over grassy ground to start climbing up the scree and loose gravel on Na Gruagaichean's north-western side. A peak is reached, however the main summit lies beyond another dip. This dip includes a sharp gap, although this is crossed without difficulty. Some more loose gravel and stone is ascended to reach Na Gruagaichean's summit. Binnein Mor Leave Na Gruagaichean and head east down the boulders. Follow a path that hugs the crest to the bealach. The path then keeps slightly below the crest as it climbs up to a Binnein Mor's south top. At the small cairn, turn north and follow an obvious path to the summit of Binnein Mor, the highest peak in the Mamores. Sgurr Eilde Mor As this route finishes in Glen Nevis, it is prudent to leave Binnein Beag as the last peak on the day. Therefore, about turn and re-trace your steps to Binnein Mor's south top. Next, head south-east over easy, grass covered ground to Sgor Eilde Beag (which can cornice over in winter), from where turn north-east and drop down on pathless steep ground to the lochan below. Head around the northern side of the lochan on a faint path and make a direct ascent of Sgurr Eilde Mor. Although the terrain is loose and bouldery, there are no real difficulties in getting up to the summit. Binnein Beag Return a few metres and look for a path heading right, down from the crest. Follow this path downhill aiming north-west, scree-running in bits, then continue on grassy ground to drop steeply to the burn below. Cross the burn and follow the stalkers path the lochan at the foot of Binnein Beag. Keep to the south side of the lochan and pick up a path to follow up through the boulders and scree to the summit of Binnein Beag. Though lower than the last 8 munros, this is a fine little peak and worthy as the day's last stop. Return From Binnein Beag, head due west and drop down steep ground over boulders and scree to the heathery ground below. Aim north-west to cross the Water of Nevis, then pick up the path heading west along Glen Nevis. This path continues past the spectacular waterfall at Steall and down the north side of the Nevis Gorge. The road-end is reached, from where a 3km jog downhill will take you back to Achriabhach. |
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Zoomable OS 1:50000 and 1:25000 maps are here
mamores area weblinks
Get the local mountain weather forecast here See todays conditions on the nearby Ben Nevis webcam Fort William and local information at lochaber.com Glen Nevis Youth Hostel is here Gear and indoor climbing at The Ice Factor in Kinlochleven alternatives Split the route into three shorter ones The western three from Glen Nevis Head up Mullach nan Coirean as described in the main route and progress along over Stob Ban and the Devil's Ridge to Sgurr a'Mhaim. Instead of returning along the ridge, follow the path through the boulderfield, downhill north-west. As the path descends, boulderfield gives way to a steep worn path on grass. Further down the ground can be sodden and a river is followed to the road. In summer, tourists and locals will be jumping and diving into the river at the waterfalls by the bridge ! Ascent : 1600m, distance : 12km The centre three from Glen Nevis ![]() Park at the main car-park at Achriachach and head out a gate, turn right, over a fence and follow the path up by the Allt Coire a'Mhusgain. The path is well used and perhaps a bit worn in bits, but continues up to the bealach just west of the lochan below Sgurr an Iubhair. Ascend Sgurr an Iubhair either by the stalker's zig-zag (described in the main route), or by the more direct route via the path along the peak's western arm. Continue over Am Bodach and Stob Coire a'Chairn to An Gearanach as described in the main route. From An Gearanach's cairn head north on a path downhill. The path becomes very obvious, however further down some landslips have taken sections of the path away, so a bit of care is needed. Cross the bouldery base of the waterfall (tricky in spate) to reach the wire bridge over the Water of Nevis and have a bit of fun crossing it. Take the path back to the road-end and return to Achriachach as described on the left. Ascent : 1500m, distance : 15km The eastern four from Kinlochleven ![]() If doing the eastern section of the mamores, then these are probably best approached from Kinlochleven. It is posible to start from Mamore Lodge, however this will cause a detour at the day's end. Far better, and I find more interesting, is to start from the car-park just north of the bridge over the River Leven. Head up a path, and after checking out the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall, cross another river. Follow a path up uphill parallel to the Mamore Lodge road on the other side of the river. Once you meet up with a track, cross it and follow the stalker's path up to the bealach between Stob Coire a'Chairn and Na Gruagaichean. At the bealach, turn south-east and continue over Na Gruagaichean to Binnein Mor as described on the main route on the left. Leave Binnein Mor's cairn and head north over boulders, then pick up a path heading north-north-west dropping down on the north-west arm of this peak. After dropping around 150m (to around c970m), turn east into the coire on a faint path and continue down over wet ground to reach the lochan below Binnein Beag. Ascend Binnein Beag (as described in the main route) and return to the lochan, then follow the path to the base of Sgurr Eilde Mor where it crosses the burn. From here, make a direct ascent on this munro, initially on grass, then loose scree. Leave Sgurr Eilde Mor and head west down steep ground to reach the northern shore of the loch. Pick up a path and follow it back to Kinlochleven. Ascent : 2000m, distance : 18km
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mamores
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