📌 The Mamores, Highland
★★★★★
The Mamores are one of our favourite mountain ranges, and this is one of our favourite day hikes in the area… in fact, one of our favourite day hikes anywhere! Binnein Mòr is the range’s highest peak, and lies at the northern extremity of a fabulous network of ridges which form a shape not unlike the Mercedes logo (if you squint a bit). Several other iconic mountain routes are in view from the dramatic crags, with the Ring of Steall and Ben Nevis to the north among the highlights; the vast expanses of Loch Eilde Mòr and Blackwater Reservoir stretch away to the south. If that weren’t enough, Loch Leven sparkles to the west from the excellent approach path, and the spectacular Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall can be visited with a very short detour on the way down.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Ascent through the trees 
View back to Kinlochleven & Loch Leven 
Sgòr Eilde Beag from the approach 
Loch Eilde Mòr 
Coire nan Laogh 
Zig-zagging up Sgòr Eilde Beag 
Grey Corries from Sgòr Eilde Beag summit 
Sgùrr Eilde Mòr from Sgòr Eilde Beag 
Grey Corries 
View ahead to Binnein Mòr 
View back from the 1062 m focal summit 
Ridge to Binnein Mòr 
Binnein Mòr summit 
Binnein Beag from Binneain Mòr 
Ridge to Na Gruagaichean 
Ben Nevis & the Aonachs 
Looking back along Na Gruagaichean’s east ridge 
Na Gruagaichean (left) 
Looking north from Na Gruagaichean 
Looking west 
Loch Eilde Mòr from the descent 
Descent from Na Gruagaichean 
The descent is mostly pathless, but with superb views of Loch Leven 
Sgùrr an Fhuarain from the descent 
Path alongside the Allt a’ Chumhainn 
Grey Mare’s Tail
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on Wades Road, north side of Kinlochleven
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 188623
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.716721,-4.962709
🚌 Bus to Kinlochleven
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 1340 m | ⌛ 7-8 hr
Features: △ Sgòr Eilde Beag (956 m); △ Binnein Mòr (1130 m, Munro); △ Na Gruagaichean (1056 m, Munro); 🌊 Grey Mare’s Tail (Kinlochleven) ★★★★
⬤ Tough | Clear stalkers’ path for ascent to Sgòr Eilde Beag, then enjoyable ridges with some rocky sections (mostly still with a path). Descent from Na Gruagaichean to track is steep & often pathless on grass, then path for return.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit with extension to Binnein Mòr: start – path ascends shoulder just south of Allt a’ Chumhainn – cross track at 🧭 NN 208635 – Sgòr Eilde Beag – 1062m focal summit – Binnein Mòr – return to 1062m summit – Na Gruagaichean – Leachd na h-Aire – descend WSW to 600m contour then south to track – leave track short distance to south – path descends to southwest – brief detour to Grey Mare’s Tail – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: A buzzard being hassled by crows.
Weather: Sunny all day, with high cloud waiting to move in west of Loch Linnhe. 5°C or so on the ridge, but feeling warm at glen level.
June 2021
