📌 Glen Coe, Highland
★★★★★
The Munro of Bidean nam Bian (peak of the mountains) demands proper respect – it’s the highest summit in the Glen Coe region and the highest point in historic Argyll. As its name suggests, it is surrounded by a complex web of ridges, buttresses and satellite peaks which are all worthwhile objectives in themselves, and which conceal Bidean nam Bian itself from the road through Glen Coe. The other Munro on this circuit is a new kid on the block: Stob Coire Sgreamhach (peak of the dreadful coire) was only admitted into this elite group of hills in 1997, and we’re not sure whether its name sounds scarier in Gaelic or English – it is another superb viewpoint, with many of West Highland ranges in view. The route’s legendary status is cemented by the descent through Coire Gabhail – a beautiful, hanging valley where the MacDonalds hid rustled cattle out of sight from Glen Coe below.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Coire nan Lochan from the start 
View down Glen Coe 
Aonach Eagach from Coire nan Lochan 
Coire nan Lochan 
Coire nan Lochan 
North ridge of Stob Coire nan Lochan 
Loch Leven & the foot of Glen Coe from the north ridge of Stob Coire nan Lochan 
View back to Aonach Dubh (foreground), Aonach Eagach beyond 
Stob Coire nan Lochan 
Bidean nam Bian from Stob Coire nan Lochan 
Steep ascent to Bidean nam Bian 
View back to Stob Coire nan Lochan 
Beinn Fhada (centre) & Stob Coire Sgreamhach (right) from Bidean nam Bian 
Sgùrr na h-Ulaidh & Loch Etive 
Looking back to Bidean nam Bian 
Stob Coire nan Lochan 
Stob Coire nan Lochan 
Stob Coire Sgreamhach 
Looking back to Bidean nam Bian from the ascent of Stob Coire Sgreamhach 
Bidean nam Bian (left) & Stob Coire nan Lochan (right) from Stob Coire Sgreamhach 
Coire Gabhail 
Lairig Eilde 
Loch Etive 
Descent into Coire Gabhail 
Coire Gabhail 
Descent from Coire Gabhail 
Coire Gabhail from the finish
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Three Sisters viewpoint, A82 5 mi east of Glencoe village
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 170569
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.667717,-4.987182
❌ Buses pass the start but there is no official stop
🚗 Car park (other car parks to west & east)
📝 Key info
▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 1320 m | ⌛ 7.5-8.5 hr
Features: 📷 Three Sisters viewpoint; △ Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115 m); △ Bidean nam Bian (1150 m, Munro); △ Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072 m, Munro); 📷 Coire Gabhail (Lost Valley)
⬤ Tough | There is often a path, but it is often rough, rocky & very steep – hands will be required in a few spots. Descent into Coire Gabhail from Bealach Dearg is unpleasantly loose & steep (dusty in dry weather, slippery when wet!) & is usually covered by snow until well into summer. Upper part of ascent to Stob Coire nan Lochan has pathless sections.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Coire nan Lochan – ascend west from coire to join north ridge of Stob Coire nan Lochan to north of Pinnacle Buttress – Stob Coire nan Lochan – Bidean nam Bian – Stob Coire Sgreamhach – retrace steps to Bealach Dearg – Coire Gabhail – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Ravens / crows high up.
Weather: Very warm with unbroken sunshine, but with a cooling breeze most of the time. 27°C at the finish, probably high teens on summits.
July 2021
