Stob Coir'an Albannaich is a little visited mountain with fine northern corries. This route combines it with neighbouring Meall nan Eun to give an escape from the crowds in Glencoe to the north.
Summary
Very boggy terrain on the lower slopes; higher up the peaks have vast areas of rocky slabs. Steep, craggy terrain is encountered on the descents from both peaks, requiring care and good navigation skills.
Terrain
NN137468
Grid ref
18km/11.25 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Rough parking by start of Coiletir track
[Map of start point, satnav coords and directions]
Start
Maps
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1. Park in the small rough parking area just east of the start of the track leading down to Coiletir. Head down this track (signed 'Hill path') and over the bridge over the picturesque River Etive to reach Coiletir itself. This has been renovated and it is necessary to follow a boggy detour to pass round it. Continue for a short distance to where a boggy path leads off to the left. This soon comes alongside a fence and follows it (do not cross the stile) through extremely boggy terrain before reaching the Allt Meirleach. Keep to the left, well above the stream, and head up the valley. This section has difficult tussocky ground - a faint path quite a distance above the stream is a little help.
2. Soon you'll see a series of waterfalls above the confluence of the Allt Meirleach and the Allt Mheuran, and the going becomes slightly easier. The path eventually comes closer and then runs beside the Allt Mheuran above the gorges. Continue on the path up the valley; there are good views across to Ben Starav and the conical peak of Glas Bheinn Mhor, and waterslides and small falls in the stream add interest on the long ascent to the bealach between Glas Bheinn Mhor and Stob Coir'an Albanaich.
3. Climb the steep slope of grass and stones to the north to reach a flat shoulder. Stob Coir'an Albannaich can now be seen as a gentle dome ahead across a shallow depression; the easiest ascent is to contour round to the left to avoid the dip before ascending the slope to the ridge. At the top of this slope the landscape changes completely as the hill collapses on its northern side into deep, slabby corries. Turn right along the rim of these cliffs to reach the summit. This is the first Munro of the day, at 1044metres; there is a large, old grassy-grown cairn topped by a smaller, newer one, and a grand view of the Glencoe hills.
4. The traverse to the next Munro involves some convoluted route-finding which would be tricky in mist. Descend the initially steep and well-defined eastern ridge to where it begins to level off. The route down to the bealach involves turning left down a rake through the cliffs. There are two such rakes; the first is just before a rocky knobble - do not turn down this one, but continue a little further along the ridge to a second rake. This may be marked by a cairn and has a fair path starting down it; initially the path descends some slabby rocks before bearing left slightly to the descend a grassy gulley to the bealach.
5. From the bealach, ascend the intervening peak of Beinn Tarsuinn, which has large areas of flat rocky slabs. A path descends the far side of Beinn Tarsuinn, winding between steeper slabs, to reach a second bealach. From here, the ascent up onto the broad, grassy dome of Meall nan Eun is more straightforward in good visibility. The summit, which is over to the right, is at 928 metres making it the second Munro of the day; without this status this peak would be little visited. There is a good view towards Loch Tulla and the Bridge of Orchy mountains, though the sprawling plateau robs the view of any depth.
6. Head northwest back across the plateau and continue down the steep slopes of the hill into Coire Riabhach. This slope has many steep crags and finding a safe route down the grass between them requires great care. Further down, continue across the less steep but very rough, tussocky terrain to reach the Allt Ceitlin. There is a very muddy path along the north side of the Allt Ceitlin, churned up by cattle. Continue down this until it eventually reaches a landrover track in Glen Etive. Turn left along this track to a junction with another track; turn right here to head back across the bridge over the River Etive and return to the start.
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