Stob Ban is rather hidden away behind the much higher peaks of the Grey Corries. However it is a steep and shapely peak that well repays the approach walk, and it has a tiny bothy at its foot.
Summary
Good track for the approach; ridge path is wet lower down and steep higher up
Terrain
NN255788
Grid ref
18km/11.25 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Parking off track at NN255788 beyond Corriechoille
[Map
of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
Users'
rating
None to start; train or bus to Spean Bridge
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. The start of this walk is several kilometres up a very rough track from Corriechoille, itself just beyond the end of a minor road from Spean Bridge. Driving the road requires great care to avoid damage on the many potholes; there is parking where the track reaches the line of the old tramway at NN255788. Continue up the track, which is part of the ancient right of way over the Lairig Leacach, on foot. After passing through a gate the track reaches the Wee Minister - a wooden sculpture who looks out across the glen. Continue on the track through areas of mature and recently felled forestry.
2. The track eventually crosses the Allt Leachdach and continues uphill into a pass between the Grey Corries on the right and the Corbetts of Cruach Innse and Sgurr Innse on the left. After reaching the summit of the Lairig Leacach at 515 metres it then runs gently downhill to end at the tiny Leacach bothy. Stob Ban looks very fine beyond.
3. The bothy is maintained by volunteers from the Mountain Bothy Association - please help them keep the place tidy by carrying out any rubbish you find here, and submit a report on its condition at the bothy webpage when you get home. Cross the new bridge over the Allt a'Chuil Choirean (just up from the track) and pick up a wet and boggy path which begins the ascent towards Stob Ban via its northeast ridge. The gradient eases about half way up with a flat, plateau area.
Photo: IainG
4. The final section of the climb is drier underfoot and the outline of the peak inspires upward progress. The summit cairn and the ground beneath is composed of quartzite and the views in all directions are wild and excellent, though the higher Grey Corries, Aonachs and Ben Nevis close a large section of the horizon.
Photo: IainG
5. The easiest return is back the same way. It is also possible to descend a steep and loose scree slope WNW before turning north to a bealach with a lochan. From here it is possible either to continue up onto the main Grey Corries ridge, or to make a descent into Coire Claurigh over quartzite slabs - with some scrambling - before heading back to the bothy and through the Lairig Leacach.
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