Known in Gaelic as Sgorr na Ciche, the distinctive Pap is a familiar landmark around lower Glencoe and Loch Leven. It is a fabulous viewpoint and gives a short but steep hillwalk.
Summary
Steep and boggy climb to the ridge; the final ascent of the Pap is rocky.
Terrain
NN103589
Grid ref
8km/5 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Glencoe village (car parking at eastern end)
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
Buses (local and Citilink) to Glencoe village.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Park in the layby at the eastern end of Glencoe village, close to the war memorial. The Pap is unseen from here, and the photo shows it seen from the forest above St Johns Church near Ballachulish. The walk begins along the road out of the village, crossing the bridge over the River Coe. Once across the bridge it is possible to avoid the tarmac for a short distance by following the path along the side of the river (turning right over the bridge), returning to the road just past the electricity substation. Continue on the road until past the end of the forestry plantations. Immediately after passing a gate on the left which is the entrance to 'Laraichean', go through the next gate on the left. This leads to a track and passes straight away through another gate. Continue uphill towards a waterworks.
2. The track climbs up past a bench with a great view up Glencoe. Before reaching the waterworks, turn right on a wide path over a footbridge. This crosses the hillside for some distance before fording a stream. Once across the stream, the path becomes narrower and curves round to the left, heading more directly uphill and coming close to the edge of the gorge above the stream.
3. At one or two flatter sections the path has become very boggy and eroded, but it soon begins climbing once more up stonier terrain, now climbing diagonally to the right away from the stream. At about 430 metres the path swings back left and continues the climb, with more boggy sections but wonderful views over Glencoe village to Ballachulish bridge. Ignore a smaller path that turns off to the right - this is a descent route from the Aonach Eagach - and continue to the col below the Pap.
4. The stony dome of the Pap is now ahead. Continue on the path to its base; from here the going becomes rocky as the path makes the ascent, climbing diagonally to the right up the Pap. There are boulders and rocks en route but no real scrambling is required. As the path passes round to the back of the Pap there are great views over to Kinlochleven.
5. Once behind the Pap the summit comes into view over to the left and the path turns to head up to it. The first, large cairn has a stunning view along Loch Leven backed by the great range over the Mamores, whilst superb views of the Ballachulish narrows and Glencoe can be had by continuing a short distance southwest across the small plateau.
6. Once you've enjoyed the panorama, however, the descent should be made by retracing the outward route to the bealach and back down the path.
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