Pap of Glencoe from Glencoe Village

At the western end of Glen Coe, Glencoe Village lies just off the A82. A single-track road runs through the village before continuing eastwards on the northern side of the River Coe to the Clachaig Inn, eventually rejoining the A82.

Just east of the village, the road crosses the River Coe via a bridge spanning a minor gorge. Around 350m beyond, a wide entrance on the left leads onto a forestry track. Signed as 'Glencoe Lochan Parking', parking is available beside the entrance, with additional marked spaces a short distance uphill.

Although it appears the route begins by following the forestry track uphill, it doesn't.

Just before the upper parking area, a signed path heads off parallel to the road. This forms part of an orbital path. Follow it through woodland for around 400m until it rejoins the road. Pass the entrance to a house and immediately beyond reach a gate and signpost marking the route to the Pap of Glencoe.

Go through the side gate, then another, and the route emerges onto open hillside. A clear track climbs steadily through bracken before reaching a junction with a wooden footbridge off right. Cross the bridge and continue on the path beyond.

The path now traverses the hillside for around 400m, crossing a few damp patches while gaining only a little height, before reaching another junction where a path drops away to the right. Ignore this and continue ahead as the climb begins.

The path is now rougher, more eroded and steeper, twisting uphill to gain around 150m of height before easing slightly. After a sharp bend, another junction is reached at around 450m. Here a path branches right towards Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh - keep straight ahead.

The route now heads directly for the col beneath the Pap, with the distinctive summit cone rising prominently ahead. On reaching the col , expansive views open across Loch Leven to Garbh Bheinn and the Mamores.

The final ascent is steep, rough and rocky, but the path remains obvious throughout and involves no scrambling. It slants across the hillside before curving round to approach the summit from the east. Sgòrr na Ciche's summit is surprisingly broad, strewn with rocks and boulders, and marked by a substantial cairn.

For the finest viewpoint, continue a little west to a smaller cairn. The panorama from here is outstanding, particularly westwards, with Beinn a' Bheithir rising to the left and Loch Leven stretching towards the Ballachulish Narrows, while Ardgour's Garbh Bheinn dominates the view beyond.

Return by retracing the outward route.

Alternatively, from the junction at around 450m , head left (east), uphill and follow the obvious path to Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh. This provides a straightforward way of reaching this Munro without tackling the more exposed and challenging Aonach Eagach Traverse.