Mamores  

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 roadside, start to head south-west 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 second forestry track. Turn right and follow the track for around 500m until you find a small cairn denoting a path heading uphill. Most of the forest around here has been felled recently and as such the path, although well constructed, is loose and wet in sections. The path reaches the edge of the forest, then continues aside a deer fence onto the north-eastern arm of Mullach nan Coirean. The fence continues up to around 600m, where it turns sharply. Leave the fence behind and cross some gentle ground. The ground narrows, steepens and becomes bouldery and a path picks a route avoiding the worst of the terrain. Follow this 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 to Achriabhach
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.