Ring of Steall, hiking route

Sgurr a'Mhaim and the start from the Lower Falls

In Fort William, just north of the Lochaber Leisure Centre, there is a small roundabout.

Take the turning into Glen Nevis and head up here for 7km to the Lower Falls car-park just beyond the farm buildings of Achriabhach and before the bridges over the Water of Nevis (there is a charge to park here).

Looking back down Glen Nevis on the way up Sgurr a' Mhaim

From the car-park, walk towards the bridges over the Water of Nevis and cross the first of these. Immediately thereafter and before the second bridge, you'll see a gate on your right, with a stile to cross. Over this, follow a track then rough but obvious path south-east.

The path begins to climb up gentle slopes and after around 1km, there is a split in the path - take the left (east) fork.

Now climbing more steeply, the path goes through a gate in a deer-fence and strikes up Sgurr a'Mhaim's north-western shoulder. The path is rough and loose. At around the 900m contour, the summit screes are met, with the path zig-zagging a way through and onto Sgurr a'Mhaim's summit crest, where the ground levels and the large untidy summit cairn is reached.

Approaching the Devil's Ridge from the south, Sgurr a'Mhaim behind

Leave Sgurr a'Mhaim's summit behind and strike downhill on a rough and loose path on bouldery ground. As height is lost, the terrain becomes grass-covered and easier.

A small col (Bealach a'Chip) is reached with a rocky slab the other side - keeping slightly to the right (west), a ledge with good holds can be traced to ascend this obstacle.

The grassy crest narrows with a worn path leading southwards. The crux of the Devil's Ridge is reached - it's much easier than it looks (outwith winter conditions). Keeping to the right (west) with the big boulders on your left, a rough, steep and loose route can be climbed down, then back out the other side.

A worn path leads over Stob Choire a'Mhail and over boulders then loose scree up to Sgurr Iubhair's summit .

Am Bodach from Stob Coire a'Chairn

Sgurr Iubhair is a significant summit and was promoted to Munro status in 1984, only to be demoted back to a Munro Top in 1997 !

A path heads south-east from Sgurr Iubhair's summit. Though obvious and easy to walk on, this path 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 , its rougher higher up but without any difficulties being encountered.

Stob Coire a'Chairn from An Gearanach

Getting off Am Bodach to continue a traverse of the Mamores can be slightly rough and some people may find the next section challenging !

Aim north-east down steep and very loose ground on bits of worn path. Be careful with your footing as you pick your way down on the gravel using rocks as 'islands of safety'. Some small bits of easy scrambling are encountered, then some scree boulders as the bealach above Coire a'Bhodaich is approached.

Now onto grassy ground, follow the path up over one bump (marked 909m) , 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 Munro summit in its own right.

An Gearanach from Stob Coire a'Chairn

A worn path heads initially north from the summit of Stob Coire a'Chairn. Zig-zagging through some scree, it drops just over 100m to the bealach below the steep climb of An Garbhanach.

Climb up the path on the right (east) side of the crest, then cross over to the left (west), then back over to the right (east), before clambering up onto the crest - the route is pretty obvious. Some sustained but straightforward scrambling lies ahead up to and over An Garbhanach as the route sticks to the crest - there are slightly exposed bypass paths on the east side of the crest.

Passing the top of An Garbhanach (no cairn), there's a slight drop, and An Gearanach lies ahead - just a walk over a grass covered crest reaches the summit. The small cairn on An Gearanach's summit is an excellent place to stop and take in the views.

The wire bridge over Water of Nevis

A stalker's path leads north from An Gearanach's summit. It twists and turns taking the easiest line avoiding rock buttresses. Lower down some landslips have taken sections of the path away, so a bit of care is needed.

The path reaches the Water of Nevis, it can either be crossed direct - some stepping stones can be seen if water level isn't too high. Or a very wet and rough path can be taken that leads westwards to under the spectacular Falls of Steall (tricky to cross in spate) to reach a wire bridge over the Water of Nevis on which a bit of fun can be had crossing it.

Get onto the path which leads down the north side of the Nevis Gorge (take care here).

The road-end is reached, from where a 3km walk or jog downhill will take you back to Achriabhach.