Glencoe Guided Walks

Buachaille Etive Beag | Beinn a’Bheithir | Bidean Nam Bian

The famous Glencoe, who hasn’t heard of it? The stunning glacial valley is a marvel from the road with the Massacre of Glencoe, the Lost Valley and of course the mountains themselves; Buchaille Etive Mor, Bidean Nam Bian, the Three Sisters, and many more.

This dramatic U-shaped valley, adorned with the 3 Sisters one side and the Aonach Eagach the other, appears nothing less than impenetrable from the road’s edge. Despite this intimidating visage, it is possible to access the mountains to enjoy walking in the hanging valleys and on the fine ridges above. The Lost Valley, famous as the supposed hiding place for the MacDonald clan’s rustled cattle, is among a few of the hidden ways of getting up high, or down from the ridges of the 3 Sisters and the highest Munro of the area, Bidean Nam Bian.

Personally, this was the first truly awe-inspiring place that led me into exploring more of Scotland and, ultimately, moving here. I happened upon it as cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End. The 5km+ of uphill was eased by the pure beauty of the valley in which you feel so tiny. From the repurposed railway bridge at the meeting of Loch Leven & Loch Linnhe, my imagination was captured. The massif of Beinn a’Bheithir rising from the sea, towering over me, and views out to the Ardgour peninsula and along the loch to the Pap of Glencoe and a glimpse of what was to come in the glen itself.

If you are interested in exploring Glencoe with us check out some of the walks we offer in Glencoe below.

See my blog from a Glencoe guided walking weekend here.

Buachaille Etive Beag

The Munros of Stob Coire Raineach & Stob Dubh make up the fantastic Buchaille Etive Beag, the well-known baby brother to the 'Big Buachaille'. This is one of our favourite walks in Glencoe, not being as demanding as its big brother but with no less a rugged and adventurous mountain feel. The summit of Stob Dubh being a particularly impressive ridge.

The route offers fine views across to The Bidean Massif, out to the Aonach Eagach as well as a side view of its big brother.

Fitness: The is a reasonable walk. Reasonable hill fitness will be required.

Duration: 5 - 6 hours.

Beinn a’Bheithir

Another classic Glencoe Munro pairing, Sgorr Dearg & Sgorr Dhonuill, make up the Beinn a’Bheithir Massif. The massif towers above as you drive from Fort William to Glencoe at the bridge crossing between North & South Ballachullish. rising straight out of the sea with a blown-out volcano look about it & the Dragons Tooth ridge high up in the centre of it, it is a magnificent mountain to view.

The walk itself is no less impressive, offering picturesque ridges to navigate combined with awe inspiring views across Ardgour, Loch Linnhe, Lochleven and back into Glencoe.

Fitness: The day is a tough walk. Good hill fitness will be required.

Duration: 7 - 8.5 hours

Bidean Nam Bian & Stob Coire Sgreamhach

Bidean Nam Bian, the highest of all the Glencoe Munros standing at 1150m, is well hidden from the Pass of Glencoe. Stob Coire nan Lochan, a renowned winter climbing venue, hides it from view and only once you’ve walked up through the Coire and skirted its impressive walls does Bidean show itself in all its splendour. Another fine ridge system in true Glencoe style, linking the various summits of the massif including the second Munro of Stob Coire Sgreamhach.

The walk gives down into Glen Etive, across the famed Aonach Eagach as well the other peaks of Glencoe and finishes with a descent through the Lost Valley of Glencoe famed as the hidden valley where the MacDonald Clan hid their rustled cattle.

Fitness: The day is a tough walk. Good hill fitness will be required.

Duration: 7 - 9 hours

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