📌 Glen Coe, Highland
★★★★
The northeast face of Meall a’ Bhùiridh is a winter playground for downhill skiers, but once the snow melts each summer, the network of lift pylons and fencelines is a bit of an eyesore for walkers on the way up to the Munro summit. Fortunately the hill’s west side has been left untouched, and continuing to a second Munro – Creise – allows excellent views of Meall a’ Bhùiridh from this more attractive aspect. Creise itself lies towards the northern end of a curiously flat-topped ridge, and boasts great views down Loch Etive. The route below also adds a simple extension south to the summit of Clach Leathad (lower than Creise by a single metre) for panoramic views of the Black Mount, Coire Ghiubhasan and the final, southern side of tetrahedral Meall a’ Bhùiridh. The route stats on this page include the steep initial climb from the car park, but you could “cheat” in summer by using the chairlift – saving 300 metres of ascent.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Initial ascent under the chairlift 
Allt nan Giuthas 
Meall a’ Bhùiridh from the path to Creag Dhubh viewpoint 
Buachaille Etive Mòr from Creag Dhubh viewpoint 
North ridge of Meall a’ Bhùiridh ahead 
View back down the north ridge 
Edge of the ski area on Meall a’ Bhùiridh 
Meall a’ Bhùiridh summit, Rannoch Moor beyond 
Way ahead to Creise 
Cam Ghlean from the linking ridge 
Ascent to Creise’s south ridge 
Meall a’ Bhùiridh from the south ride of Creise 
Level walking to Creise summit 
Meall a’ Bhùiridh from Creise summit 
Glen Etive from Creise 
View back along the ridge from Creise 
Clach Leathad, the next objective 
Allt Coire Ghiubhasan from Clach Leathad 
Clach Leathad summit 
Reascent of Meall a’ Bhùiridh on the return 
Top of the ski area just below Meall a’ Bhùiridh summit 
View from the top of the ski lifts in winter 
Descent next to the Main Basin tows 
Plateau part of the ski area
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Glencoe Mountain Resort, minor road end off A82 8 mi north of Bridge of Orchy
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 267525
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.632433,-4.827713
🚌 Bus stops on A82 at Glencoe Mountain Resort turnoff (1 mi)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 13 km / 8 mi | ▲ 1220 m | ⌛ 6-7 hr
Features: ⛷️ Glencoe Mountain Resort ★★★★; 📷 Creag Dhubh viewpoint (Glencoe) ★★★; △ Meall a’ Bhùiridh (1108 m, Munro); △ Creise (1100 m, Munro); △ Clach Leathad (1099 m)
⬤ Tough | Mostly rocky, rough paths, often quite steep. Path fades amongst boulderfields on ascent of Meall a’ Bhùiridh; upper half of descent through ski area is pathless. Ascent to Creise ridge is very steep with very simple scrambling; fainter path but generally easy going between Creise & Clach Leathad.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise lollipop circuit with extensions to Creise & Clach Leathad: start & Glencoe Mountain Resort – top of chairlift by path under lift line – Creag Dhubh viewpoint – Meall a’ Bhùiridh by north ridge – join Creise south ridge at 1070m spot height – Creise – Clach Leathad – return to Meall a’ Bhùiridh via outward route – chairlift top station via ski area / tows – start by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Ravens / crows, the odd deer ked, quite a few midges at the car park & on the initial ascent.
Weather: Unbroken sunshine though with a cloud inversion further west. Very light winds, 20°C at the finish.
August 2021
