Two Buchailles for the price of one with this superb two-day route on the fringes of Glencoe.
Two-Dayer - The Two Shepherds of Etive, Scotland
|
Dalness> Ston na
Cabar > Kingshouse > Ston Dearg >
Dalness
|
|
Average Time: 11 hours 15 mins
*
|
|
Distance: 24.75 miles
(40Km)
|
Height Gain: 11122 ft
(3390m)
|
|
A cracking circular two-dayer taking in both the
shepherds of Etive, Buachaille Etive Mor and Buachaille
Etive Beag.
|
Maps: OS Explorer 384
Online: Streetmap
|
|
Strenuousness: 4
Technicality: 1
Photo Grade: 4
|
Start Point: NN
166 510
|
There's nowhere in the UK that comes close to comparison with
Scotland when it comes to mountains and scenery. This doesn't always
mean, however, that it's simple to set up a two day walk.
The expanse of wilderness itself can be a barrier when trying to
allow for a choice of accommodation options, with camp sites and
settlements often further apart than feasible for if you need to
return to your starting point.
Scott Blair's shot of the two shepherds, small one in front,
biggy
to the rear - from his OM
album
One multi-dayer stands out though, with the perfect combination
of classic and iconic peaks and a traditional resting place at the
halfway point. Anyone travelling to Fort William will immediately
recognise the much photographed Buachaille Etive Mor, which marks the
descent into Glen Coe.
This route takes in not only "The great shepherd of Etive", but
also its smaller sibling Buachaille Etive Beag - "The little Shepherd
of Etive" in a circular route from the South West.
Linking the two peaks you take in a short section of the West
Highland Way, one of the most popular long distance routes in the
country, and an overnight at the Kingshouse on the edge of Rannoch
Moor.
Section 1: Dalness to Stob nan Cabar
|
Distance: 4 miles (6.5Km)
|
Height Gain: 3702 ft (1130m)
|
|
Average Time: 3 hours 30 mins
|
Starting from the car park on the Glen Etive road a short walk
through Dalness leads to a path on the left at the bend in the
road. The path heads up through the trees, following the Allt Gartain
as it climbs towards the obvious ridge lines ahead.
As you exit the trees two options lie ahead, either take the ridge
on your left up directly to the summit of Stob Dubh.
Alternatively continue along the Lairig Gartain to its high point
where a steep path heads directly up to the left to reach the summit.
On top of Stob Dudh with lurking views - Frank
Gehrich
from his OM
album
Once atop this Munro the ridge leads down, initially steeply and
along a narrow arete as you descend towards a col, then climbs again
to the top of Stob Corie Raineach.
Now the rock turns to grass and scree as you continue downhill to
Stob nan Cabar at the end of the ridge, with Glen Coe to your left
and the wide expanse of Rannoch Moor laid out below you.
Section 2: Stob nan Cabar to Kingshouse
|
Distance: 4.5 miles (7.3km)
|
Height Gain: 207 ft (63m)
|
From
Stob nan Cabar the first day is predominantly downhill
towards the edge of Rannoch Moor. The ridge descends to the north
east, where you need to pick your line carefully around the small
crags, then drops to join the northern end of the Lairig Gartain.
The obvious path leads to a small car park on the main Glen Coe
road, where you turn right and follow the road for half a mile to
where it joins the wide path of the West Highland Way.
The going is easier now as you skirt the edge of Rannoch Moor
heading for the obvious isolated building of the famous Kingshouse
Hotel.
Section 3 - Kingshouse to Stob Dearg
|
Distance: 4.7 miles (7.6km)
|
Height Gain: 2589 ft (789m)
|
|
Average time: 3 hours 15 minutes
|
Day two starts from the Kingshouse, but where the West
Highland Way splits from the road carry straight on to the main road.
Cross the road diagonally and take the narrow path on the opposite
side that runs alongside the A82, then sandwiched between the road
and the small River Coupall.
As you approach the bend in the road you can't miss the isolated
cottage at Lagangarbh and the start of the day's climb. A bridge
crosses the River Coupall and heads across the moor into the start of
Coire na Tulaich.
A classic view of Buchaille Etive Mor by Les
McLean - OM
Album
This coire slices through the steep nose of Buachaille Etive Mor
and in one long continuous climb zig zags its way to the summit
ridge. As you clear the headwall of the coire you emerge at a col
with the summit of Stob Dearg just off to the North East.
From here the views across Rannoch Mor, 2000ft below, are truly
stunning. This marks the high point of the walk in every way, with
the 3345ft summit being the highest elevation of the route and a high
level ridge traverse still lying ahead of you.
Section 4 - Stob Dearg to Dalness
|
Distance: 4.8 miles (7.8km)
|
Height Gain: 1223 ft (373m)
|
|
Average time: 2 hours 30 minutes
|
Although you lose the views of Rannoch Mor as you turn around
to commence the ridge ahead, there's plenty ahead to distract the eye
as you head across to Stob na Doire.
On Buchaille Etive Beag - by danmck from his
OM
Album
The ridge skirts Coire na Tulaich before turning left to first
Stob na Doire then Stob Coire Altruim. Beyond Stob Coire Altruim the
ridge eases and the gradients reduce 'til you reach the final top of
Stob na Broige. From here you can descend north west to the
high point of the Lairig Gartain, or take the ridge south west to
reach the same path lower down.
All that remains now is to retrace your steps from the start of
day one through the trees and your starting point at Dalness.
