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Clues in the Rock: What Dunadd Tells Us About Early Scotland
Glencoe

Buachaille Etive Mòr

The rock pyramid at the head of Glen Coe, where it meets Glen Etive, and one of the best known and best loved of all the Munros.

Welcome

Buachaille Etive Mòr, the great herdsman of Etive, guards the point where Glen Etive meets Glen Coe, and the view of it from the A82 is one of the most photographed sights in Scotland.

From the road it looks unassailable, yet it is one of the best known and best loved of all the Munros, with two summits: Stob Dearg, the red peak, and Stob na Bròige, the peak of the shoe.

The walk starts from the large layby at Altnafeadh, which is often busy, and climbs Coire na Tulaich to the ridge. It is a full day on steep, rough ground, 13 kilometres with 1,110 metres of ascent in seven to nine hours, with a bouldery ridge and a descent that is steep and scrambly in places. In winter the way up is banked out with snow and is a notorious avalanche blackspot. The climb is very popular at weekends. Check the weather before you set out, and carry a backup means of navigation rather than relying on a single phone, app or map.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A little further outKingshouse HotelThe old drovers' inn at the head of Glencoe, rebuilt as a hotel and bunkhouse, with a climbers' bar and red deer grazing by the door.17 min by roadSee itKingshouse Hotel
Before you go

This is a full day on steep, rough hill ground.

Check the weather and the winter conditions first, and go prepared.

Where
The walk starts at the large layby at Altnafeadh on the A82, at the head of Glen Coe, grid reference NN221563.
The walk
Walkhighlands gives 13km (8 miles), 7 to 9 hours and 1,110m of ascent, over two Munros, Stob Dearg and Stob na Bròige. It describes a steep and rough ascent followed by a bouldery ridge, and a descent that is steep and scrambly in places.
Hill safety
In winter conditions the way up Coire na Tulaich is banked out with snow, and its steep headwall is a notorious avalanche blackspot. Care is needed at the top of Stob na Doire in poor visibility, as the terrain has led some walkers to descend southeast from there. The descent into Coire Altruim is very rocky with minor scrambling, and about a kilometre of the dangerously busy A82 lies between the path and the start. Walkhighlands advises carrying a backup means of navigation rather than relying on a single phone, app or map.
Parking
Walkhighlands calls the layby at Altnafeadh large but often busy, and says the ascent is very popular at weekends.
Getting there
Glasgow to Fort William and Skye buses run along the A82, but Walkhighlands says the nearest stop is the Kingshouse.
Access
A track leads from the layby down to a footbridge, then a path climbs steeply on rough ground. It is not a step-free walk.

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Where it is

At the head of Glen Coe, where the glen meets Glen Etive, with the walk starting from the layby at Altnafeadh on the A82.

Close byNearby.
  1. LagangarbhLagangarbhA small white climbers' hut at the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor at the head of Glen Coe, one of the most photographed buildings in Scotland.3 miles 4 min by road
  2. The mountains of Glen Coe at first light, cloud on the tops.Buachaille Etive BeagThe little herdsman of Etive, a fine ridge above the mouth of Glen Coe with views down Loch Etive, and a kinder climb than its big neighbour.5 miles 7 min by road
  3. Cloud spilling over mountain peaks above Glen Coe at dawnHill walk all around Buachaille Etive BeagThe hill walk route goes all around Buachaille Etive Beag (means Small Herdsman of the Etive).5 miles 7 min by road
  4. The road through Glen Etive towards the Buachaille under a stormy sky.Glen EtiveThe single-track road down Glen Etive from the head of Glen Coe to the top of Loch Etive, past the Buachailles, with scenery from Skyfall.9 miles 11 min by road
  5. Three Sisters of GlencoeThree Sisters of GlencoeThree steep ridges of Bidean nam Bian on the south side of Glen Coe, seen across the glen from the car park halfway up it.10 miles 12 min by road
Directions
The Pap of Glencoe rising above Loch Leven.AttractionsThe Pap of Glencoe6.4 miles as the crow flies
An aerial view shows a dark peaty pool connected by a winding stream across a snow-covered moor.AttractionsRannoch Moor Viewpoint6.7 miles
A footbridge over the river to the white cottage of Achnambeithach, the glen rising behind.AttractionsLoch Achtriochtan8.7 miles
The Aonach Eagach ridge at first light, snow in its gullies.AttractionsAonach Eagach9.4 miles
Hotel family room with a double bed and two single bedsRestaurantsClachaig Inn10 miles
Snow on the mountains of Glen Coe under a blue sky.AttractionsThe Lost Valley11 miles
Thatched roundhouse on a gravel path with misty mountains behindAttractionsGlencoe Visitor Centre12 miles
Thatched white cottage with black door, chimneys and roadside pavementAttractionsGlencoe Folk Museum13 miles
Glencoe, BallachulishAttractionsGlencoe13 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the hill, and when each is next free.

RiverBeds at Woodlands Glencoe
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Ballachulish
  • 11 miles from Buachaille Etive Mòr
Check datesStormhouse South, Argyll and ButeStormhouse South
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 18 miles from Buachaille Etive Mòr
Free 31 Jan – 5 FebStormhouse North, Argyll and ButeStormhouse North
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Appin
  • 18 miles from Buachaille Etive Mòr
Free 1–6 FebSlochd, Argyll and ButeSlochd
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Barcaldine
  • 19 miles from Buachaille Etive Mòr
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in GlencoeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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