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
1580 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
7.5 hrs
The horizontal distance of the route.
Route Distance
23.84 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
A fairly long day with some exposure on the ridges. The Grey Corries are a classic ridge walk on rocky terrain, with excellent views of the Aonachs, with Carn mor Dearg and Ben Nevis behind, plus the Easains and the Mamores.
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: Spean Bridge
From Spean Bridge (A82) travel E on the minor road to the south of the River Spean as far as Corriechoille Farm. You may be able to use the private road here to drive closer.
Route Waypoint Map
The total ascent is 1,580 metres. Allow 7.5 hours to complete this 23.84 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
Park near Corriechollie Farm (It may be possible to drive up to tree line)
NN25208074
Distance
Altitude 80 m
1
Head SSE on track leading to Lairig Leacach
NN26187763
Distance 3.83 km
Altitude 355 m
2
Once clear of trees ascend S to Stob Coire Gaibhre
NN26087571
Distance 2.08 km
Altitude 958 m
3
Follow ridge S to summit of Stob Choire Claurigh
NN26217387
Distance 1.99 km
Altitude 1177 m
4
Head WSW on ridge to Stob a' Choire Leith
NN25697365
Distance 0.62 km
Altitude 1105 m
5
Continue SW to summit of Stob Coire an Laoigh
NN23997253
Distance 2.19 km
Altitude 1116 m
6
Bear WNW to Stob Coire Easain
NN23477274
Distance 0.57 km
Altitude 1080 m
7
Descend SSW onto ridge
NN23177200
Distance 0.80 km
Altitude 933 m
8
Ascend SW to the summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor
NN22767142
Distance 0.72 km
Altitude 1094 m
9
Return NW onto ridge
NN23177200
Distance 0.72 km
Altitude 933 m
10
Ascend NW to Stob Coire Easain
NN23477274
Distance 0.80 km
Altitude 1080 m
11
Descend NNE to Beinn na Socaich
NN23627345
Distance 0.75 km
Altitude 1007 m
12
Descend NNW along ridge
NN23317451
Distance 1.12 km
Altitude 862 m
13
Bear NE into Coire Choimhlidh
NN24027534
Distance 1.15 km
Altitude 500 m
14
Follow Allt Choimhlidh N to reach route of dismantled tramway
NN23867704
Distance 1.75 km
Altitude 210 m
15
Follow tramway NE to rejoin approach route
NN25567882
Distance 2.48 km
Altitude 195 m
16
Follow track N to start
NN25208074
Distance 2.28 km
Altitude 80 m
A selection of weather forecasts local to this route.
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Rating & Reviews
Rating & Reviews
Rated:
from 7 votes
Click Stars to Vote
Your Rating
Written by
Kathleen Haddow
on 09 Sep 2005:
Did this from the Glen Nevis side, taking in Stob Ban as a first peak. The descent off this is loose and steep over scree but doesn't last long. The ridge itself is a stony traverse with no difficulties other than the length of the route. The path out to the upper car park at Glen Nevis is a different matter: 8km of mud and bog!
Written by
Peter Lang
on 02 Aug 2005:
Agree with other reviewers, traverse West to East and end day near starting point and option to include stob ban if feeling fit. My second visit to grey corries (this time included sgurr choinnich mor) and as fantastic as I remembered superb ridge, easy underfoot. 10.5 hours for full traverse (all 4) and that was taking it easy enjoying views to full. Car can be driven to edge of treeline couple of miles past farm
Written by
James Blair
on 21 Feb 2004:
Walked this route in reverse mid Feb starting from Glen Nevis; fantastic start to the day walking up to Steall; rather a grind up to Choinnich Beag and very rough descent off Choinnich Mhor. Middle of ridge section easy going and delightful. Rather surprised at how sharp the ridge was off Claurigh after the North top, somewhat of a challenge with a few inches of powder snow and hoar frost present. If time had allowed this direction is probably best for including Stob Ban too as a descent can then be made to the Lairig below. Otherwise good steady descent off Claurigh to Choire Coille.
Written by
John Schmidt
on 07 Oct 2003:
This route should really include Stob Ban. I did all four in 1992 (when I was 43) and it took just under 10 hours. I was quite fit at the time but was still easily passed en route by a young fell runner. You can shorten the walk a bit by driving up to the tree line from the farm. This was the longest walk I have ever done. By the way, I am an American and have done 106 Munros (including the 11 on Skye) in fits and starts on 10 separate visits over the past 20 years.
Written by
Ronnie Auld
on 11 Aug 2003:
If this route is done the other way around, the Stob Ban becomes an option. By parking at NN256788 the complete circuit (in good weather) can be accomplished in 10-11 hours with reasonable stops. This is a 5 star day with fantastic views all around. Thoroughly recommended.
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.
