This is the summed total of all the climbing within a route and is a good indicator of the strenuousness of a route.
Total Ascent
1295 m
An estimate of the time taken based on a derivation of Naismiths rules. Our calculation is based on the horizontal and ascent components of a climb, we do not make a reduction for descent.
Registered users can customise these walking times by specifying their own walking and ascending speeds. They can also add a fixed time period for stoppages.
Route Time
4.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
11.39 km
The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.
Our summary will always contain one of easy, moderate or hard to indicate the severity of the route.
Notes
The Aonach Eagach (notched ridge) is Scotland's classic ridge walk. It is a difficult route requiring scrambling skills and an ability to cope with exposure.
Here we provide the nearest town to the start of the route where you will find basic services.
We then give directions from that location to the route start. Your approach route may differ.
Travel Information
Head to: Glencoe
From Glencoe Village (A82) travel E 10km to car park just downhill of the bridge over the Allt-na-righ.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,295 metres. Allow 4.5 hours to complete this 11.39 km route.
In winter months please check the local snow conditions at sais.gov.uk.
The hillphones service can inform you of stalking activities in the area.
Usually the shortest way to climb the mountain, making best use of tracks and paths to gain altitude. Route navigation requires map reading skills and an ability to navigate with a compass.
The information given here will enable you to annotate your map and plan your route. We do not give anecdotal descriptions on where to find the paths, worn by the feet of previous mountaineers.
Where the access routes are few or the ridge is narrow, paths are generally obvious. On open ground, following paths without using your compass may get you lost in poor visibility.
Route Information
Waypoint Detail
Start from A82 on path by Allt-na-reigh
NN17525661
Distance
Altitude 200 m
1
Ascend N following the stream
NN17495762
Distance 1.04 km
Altitude 530 m
2
Continue NNW to ridge
NN17165819
Distance 0.97 km
Altitude 815 m
3
Ascend SW to summit of Am Bodach
NN16875800
Distance 0.38 km
Altitude 943 m
4
Descend to ridge and bear WNW to Meall Dearg
NN16135835
Distance 0.90 km
Altitude 953 m
5
Follow narrow exposed rocky ridge (Aonach Eagach) W to col (850m). Scrambling required!
NN15215832
Distance 0.96 km
Altitude 805 m
6
The worst is now behind you! Ascend NW on Stob Coire Leith
NN14955849
Distance 0.33 km
Altitude 940 m
7
Bear WSW on ridge
NN14545827
Distance 0.46 km
Altitude 798 m
8
Continue W to summit of Sgorr nam Fiannaidh
NN14065830
Distance 0.54 km
Altitude 967 m
9
Descend SSW to road.
NN13795662
Distance 1.73 km
Altitude 100 m
10
Head NE on road
NN14735713
Distance 1.10 km
Altitude 90 m
11
Continue E on road
NN16495694
Distance 1.83 km
Altitude 135 m
12
Follow road ESE to return to start
NN17525661
Distance 1.16 km
Altitude 200 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
Aonach Eagach, showing the ridge coming from Meall Dearg out of view to right, with Stob Coire Leith on the left, seen across Glen Coe from Stob Coire nan Lochan. The Mamores peaks Stob Ban and Sgurr a'Mhaim, with Ben Nevis behind, form the backdrop.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 22 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Martin Forbes
on 01 Jul 2009:
This is by far the most exhilarating walk I have ever done. The views are fantastic, the ridge incredible and the probability of imminent death if you make a wrong move - high.
Not a walk that should be attempted in bad weather. I have pretty bad vertigo and managed to complete this walk but there were a few bits that were extremely shaky!
Worth it in the end, fantastic walk fantastic sceneary and fortunately we got a fantastic day.
Written by
Martin Joyce
on 02 Nov 2007:
My goodness but this is a cracker! Two of us did it last week in heavy rain and high wind. It was very intimidating. But the rock is wonderfully solid, covered in good holds and nothing like as slippery as it looks.
One thought occurs. We did it east to west, but since the drops seemed generally harder than the climbs I wonder if it might be more satisfying to go the other way. You wouldn't want to take the direct route up to Fiannadh though - this is
dreadfully steep and loose. Guess you'd need to take a bit more time and go up to the col below the Pap.
Written by
Adam Rixon
on 02 Oct 2007:
These were my 52nd & 53rd Munros, but the first with real scrambling and exposure. The ridge traverse turned out to be harder than I'd expected - not in terms of the scrambling moves involved, but more the relentless up and down over the pinnacles (there's no respite for 1.5km+) and the difficulty of route finding, in mist at least. Bypass paths often look like the easy option, but having followed one almost vertically down an eroded, muddy slope, I'd advise sticking to the crest. In some parts it appears impassible on first view, but there's always a chink in the armour on closer inspection.
Written by
Craig Dunderdale
on 01 May 2006:
D.Brown & P.Lang's reviews are the most important & accurate. These were Munros 139 & 139 for me and by far the hardest. I did this 11/10/05 with my mate Brownie on wet rock but good weather. The best tip is take your time, don't rush it, make sure you have firm hand and foot placings on the rock at all times and you'll be alright. On the latter part of the pinnacles, don't rush your route and end up in a chimney on the North side clinging onto wet mud above the abyss like we did. A fantastic day that took about 5hrs, loads of exposure but good firm placings all the way if you look for them!
Written by
Donny McKie
on 27 Nov 2005:
If you are a regular scrambler and have a head for heights then this is not one to be missed. If however, like me, you have never climbed a hill in your life and you do not have a head for heights, then you are going to find this one of the most terrifying experiences of your life. Most other reviewers tell you that it is great fun and not very scary. This may be the case if you are used to scrambling in the Cuillin of Skye or have a particular interest in ridge walking. If, however, you are just looking for a pleasant hillwalk with nice views, climb something else!
Disclaimer. The details provided above are an aid to planning an expedition, but all distances, altitudes and bearings must be considered approximate. You must navigate with the appropriate map,
a compass, your navigation skills and common sense, MunroMagic.com accept no responsibility for your interpretation of our route information.
