The 'Aonachs' from Nevis Range hiking route

Snow fence-line on the way up Aonach Mor

A few of miles north of Fort William on the A82, there is a junction with a road heading south and a sign pointing the way to the Nevis Range Centre. Around a mile up this, the road comes to an end where there is a large car-park by the Nevis Range centre with its gondola and café.

On the summit of Aonach Mor

Start from the Nevis Range car-park in front of the Pine Martin cafe. Looking to the right to the top corner of the car-park, begin walking on a track into forestry. The track turns south and begins to climb. Keeping as much as possible away from mountain-biking trails, keep aiming uphill until you reach another track travelling off left at a gentler gradient (remains of the old tramway). Follow this track until under the line of the gondola is reached, then keeping more-or-less under the gondola aim uphill, trying as much as possible to avoid the mountain-biking trails (there are traces of path close to the trails).

Reach the top of the gondola and Snowgoose Restaurant . Head around the Snowgoose, then strike south uphill on a very faint trod to the bottom of the Goose T-Bar. Follow the line of the Goose T-Bar, which reaches the bottom of the Summit Button tow, then follow this until you can see the mast of the top station.

Leave the ski-runs and aim south-east onto Aonach Mòr's summit plateau, the summit is around 1km further. In mist careful navigation will be needed, being careful to avoid cornices built up above Aonach Mòr's cliffs on its east faces. A large untidy pile of stones make up the cairn on Aonach Mòr's summit.

Cornice on Aonach Beag

Leave Aonach Mòr's cairn and aim south on a wide grass covered expanse. An erroded path can be traced making a route down to the bealach between Aonach Mòr and Aonach Beag.

From the bealach, the path winds around some rocks and up loose gravel then makes for a direct line to Aonach Mòr's summit with its small cairn. In winter conditions it is worth noting that a large cornice builds up above the cliffs on the eastern side of this mountain, which the cairn sits rather close to !

Heading back down Aonach Mor, looking back along Loch Eil

There are various choices of return.

• It is possible to descend from the bealach westwards down a very steep and rough path to the col between Aonach Mòr and Càrn Mòr Dearg, then follow the Allt Daim back northwards, though this is heather-clad and quite tough.
• From Aonach Mor, more experienced hillwalkers can scramble down the loose ground east of Aonach Mòr's summit and follow the circular crest over Stob an Chul-Choire to Sgùrr Finniosgaig.
• Or simply return the same way. This is the easiest route and if you prefer, it is possible to take the gondola from the Snowgoose back down to the Nevis Range centre for a donation to Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team !