East Etive  

Getting there
On the A82 that travels from Tyndrum to Fort William, just before approaching Glencoe and just after the turn off for the Kingshouse hotel, there is a single track road that heads south down Glen Etive. This area is a favourite with canoists, so can be busy when wet ! Head down this road for 16km to where there is a small hut that looks like a bus-stop shelter and a track heading down off left, barred by a chain. Get there early as roadside parking is limited.

Ben Starav
Head down the track and cross the bridge over the River Etive. There's a juction immediately after the bridge, the track heading left is the return route. Head right and pass the building of Coileitir and through a fence. The path splits, keep to the right, cross some wet ground and head on the path towards the River Etive. The path reaches the Allt Mhearan, where there are two bridges a few metres upstream to cross. Now on the south side of the burn, follow the wet path to the lower slopes of Ben Starav's northern shoulder, where the path splits. One path heads due south to follow the Allt nam Meirleach into the coire, the other strikes directly uphill. Take the uphill path which continues unrelentingly uphill. There are some bits of easy scrambling here and there and one or two short sections of boulderfield to cross, but generally just keep to the path all the way to the summit. The views are wonderful, particularly looking over Beinn Sgulaird to the Hebrides.

Beinn nan Aighenan
From Starav, head south-east over a flattish area, then turn north-east. Ahead is the eastern top of Ben Starav, but infront of you will be the narrow ridge to get there. Aim straight for the top, any slight difficulties on the ridge can be by-passed on the south side, but it's more fun to stick to the crest. From this eastern top, head east-south-east and start to drop on a path over loose bouldery ground with sharp drops on your left (north). As Bealachan Lochain Ghaineamhaich is approached, the ground underfoot becomes easier and grass covered. At this bealach, look for a path contouring off right - follow this over grass towards the col connecting with Beinn nan Aighenan, where the ground gets more rough. Head up Beinn nan Aighenan on an obvious path that zig-zags as it climbs trying to avoid a few slight difficulties. Once you reach a small lochan (ok, just really a big puddle), you are almost on the summit. Good views from the small summit cairn, with a particularly fine outlook to Ben Cruachan.

Glas Bheinn Mhor
Return to the bealach between Beinn nan Aighenan and the main ridge, then come off the path and head directly up the ground ahead. There is a small fresh burn to refill water-bottles en-route. It's pretty steep and grassy for most of the way up to the ridge, from where there's a path to join and follow eastwards. Uphill to Meall nan Tri Tighearnan, is followed by a drop of 70m, then the ascent up to Glas Bheinn Mhor.

Stob Coir'an Albannaich
Leave Glas Bheinn Mhor's summit and head east dropping around 100m. The ground leaves out, and the path gradually turns north-east, then starts to drop again. Reach the bealach with its cairns and paths, cross it and strike directly uphill on steep loose ground. As the ground starts to level out, Stob Coir'an Albannaich's summit comes into view - make a bee-line for this. You'll need to cross some wet grassy ground, before the gradient starts to increase. Superb views in all directions from Stob Coir'an Albannaich's cairn.

Meall nan Eun
In mist and snow, the next part of the route can be confusing. Head east from Stob Coir'an Albannaich's summit for 500m and drop around 150m of height. Look for a faint path heading north. Sometimes there is a small pile of stones to mark the start of this, sometimes there isn't. In winter, there can be a cornice on the northern side. The faint path heads north west, following a grassy break between the lines of rock. The ground becomes quite steep, wet and loose. Gradually height is lost and the bealach with its lochans is reached. A fairly obvious path crosses the bealach and continues over Meall Tarsuinn, a mere bump on today's route. Past Meall Tarsuinn, the path again drops before the last rise of the day, up Meall nan Eun. It's just a trudge up grassy slopes to attain the small cairn on this munro. The views from this uninspiring mound are actually quite good.

Return
Although Meall nan Eun appears quite characterless when compared to the other peaks on this route, it has some surprises waiting ! From the summit. follow the path north-west on the hill's grassy crest. After around 1km, the ground starts to drop quite sharply and, unexpectidly, rocky sections block progress. Aim northwards, carefully picking your route down to the Lairig Dhochard with its old wall. Turn north-west again to start following the burn down. A path will be picked up, follow this through wet ground and thigh deep grass downhill eventually reaching the bridge over the Allt Ceitlein. Jog back along a track to take you back to the bridge over the River Etive and return to your car.