Stob Ghabhar is the finest of the Black Mount summits, its narrow rocky ridges and steep sides standing out amongst the hills of the southern Highlands. Stob a'Choire Odhair is an easier ascent with a magnificent view over Rannoch Moor. Combining both peaks, this route is a fine expedition for experienced hillwalkers.
Summary
Serious mountain walk including an extremely steep ascent over loose rocks and scree, and a narrow, exposed section of ridge.
Terrain
NN270418
Grid ref
16km/10 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
None to Victoria Bridge
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. There is a car park about three hundred metres before Victoria Bridge on the minor road from Bridge of Orchy. Begin the walk by following the road (which is also part of the West Highland Way) over the bridge almost to the front of Victoria Lodge, owned of the Black Mount estate, then turning left onto the track signposted as a Public Footpath to Loch Etive by Glen Kinglas. Follow this track which sun runs along the north bank of the Abhainn Shira, passing beside a plantation.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. The track passes a green tin hut at Clashgour - this was once the local schoolhouse but is now a mountaineering club hut. Just beyond this and before crossing the stream, turn off onto an excellent path on the right, following the Allt Toaig towards the hills. This path leads very pleasantly uphill towards Coire Toaig, sloping uphill away from the stream a little opposite some slabby crags with a waterfall on the mountain-side opposite. Continue on the path until just after it crosses the Allt Caolinn Duibh. Here an old stalkers path climbs off to the right.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. This path climbs beside the stream at first before leaving it to zig-zag up the ridgeline; it is a little eroded in places and many walkers have short-cut some of the original wide zig-zags which can ease the gradient. Higher up the ridge becomes indistinct and the path fades on the broad slopes. Continue the ascent to reach the cairn marking the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhar, a Munro at 945 metres. The views from here are magnificent in all directions, but particularly stunning is the vast expanse of Rannoch Moor to the north, seemingly as much water as land; this summit is well worthwhile as an easier hillwalk in its own right and less experienced hillwalkers should return the same way from here.
Photo ©Nigel Brown, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. To continue to Stob Ghabhar, leave the summit by following the broad west ridge down to the bealach at 668 metres. From here follow the path that climbs to the west, keeping left at an indistinct fork. The path now ascends WSW for about three hundred metres and appears to continue ahead contouring the upper slopes of Coirein Lochain. The route from here however climbs more directly up the very steep slopes to the south, roughly following the boundary marked on OS maps; there is a path in places but care is needed as the slope is unpleasantly loose with scree and rocks and the view back down towards Coirein Lochain could be intimidating to some; careful navigation is needed. The ridge of Aonach Eagach above is likely to be reached with some relief.
Photo ©David Gruar, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. Turn right along the path on the crest of the ridge; there is one very narrow section but no real difficulties - it is a fine ridge but no counterpart to its more famous namesake the Aonach Eagach in nearby Glencoe. After crossing a notch a short rocky ascent follows before the ridge curves round to reach the final climb up beside a line of fenceposts to the fine summit of Stob Ghabhar at 1087 metres, close to the very edge of the crags plunging down into the corrie.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
6. Return the same way for about five hundred metres before branching off to the right onto the Stob Maol ridge. This is much broader and gives a simpler descent; lower down curve round to the left towards the stream flowing out of Coire na Muic. Cross this stream and follow the far side downhill; soon the ground falls away in the slabby crags of Creag an Steallaire (the crags of the Falls) - a very steep and eroded path descends these close to the stream giving views of the waterfalls. Below this steep section continue down the easier slopes by the stream to reach the Allt Toaig. This needs to be crossed (note this could be difficult in spate) to regain the path used on the outward route. Turn right down this path to retrace your earlier steps back to Victoria Bridge.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
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Route profile
