Perfect Day on The Ring of Steall
Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2021 10:35 pmWith the forecast looking excellent for today I decided to tackle The Ring of Steall, and what a great decision that turned out to be!
Leaving the house in the wee small hours I arrived at the Upper Glen Nevis car park to start the walk at 0630.
There was a bit of cloud around to begin with but nowhere near as bad as Glencoe was when I passed through before arriving here. Plenty of people camping on the valley floor as I made my way across the steel-cable bridge and past the Steall Falls to begin the first ascent, An Gearanach.
It was a very ‘zig-zaggy’ climb up the steep slope of An Gearanach, but breaking through the cloud I was rewarded with some incredible views back towards Ben Nevis and I got my first look at part of the Ring of Steall, with Sgùrr a’Mhaim and it’s tops.
The view from An Gearanach summit is superb, with Ben Nevis and it’s neighbours in full view, also the whole Ring of Steall circuit is there to see, and also Binnein Mòr and it’s wee brother Binnein Beag.
Getting to the second Munro, Stob Coire a’Chàirn, required crossing a Munro Top called An Garbhanach. I really enjoyed this rocky scramble which proved to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Stob Coire a’Chàirn itself was a straightforward ascent, probably the easiest of the four Munros.
I didn’t hang around too long on Stob Coire a’Chàirn as the relentless attacks by large flies was a bit much so it was onward to Munro number three, Am Bodach.
Am Bodach is a very steep climb with some minor scrambling but very enjoyable in the conditions. Once again the summit views were breathtaking.
After a bite to eat on Am Bodach the temperature was rising as I began the trek to Sgùrr a’Mhaim, via two Munro Tops and the ‘Devil’s Ridge’. Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean made an appearance to my left as I made the walk across the Tops towards the ridge.
Now to the Devil’s Ridge. Everyone will have their opinion on it but personally I found it pretty straightforward, and a lot shorter than I thought it would be. I was a wee bit disappointed there wasn’t more of a challenge. There is one scramble in the middle but that wasn’t too bad. It’s a minor gripe in an otherwise memorable day.
Reaching the summit of the final Munro and looking back at where I’d been was a real sense of achievement. On a day of incredible weather and amazing views this was probably my best day on the Munros. Now all that was left was the descent of Sgùrr a’Mhaim, a long and steep descent which proved to be very tiring.
Overall this was a magnificent days walking in the Mamores, with views that will live long in the memory. The Ring of Steall is a route with a bit of everything. Steep ascents, ridges, scrambling, well worth checking it out.
Just make sure it’s a clear day
Leaving the house in the wee small hours I arrived at the Upper Glen Nevis car park to start the walk at 0630.
- Here we go then, The Ring of Steall.
- Minutes into the walk and I get this beautiful view down the glen.
There was a bit of cloud around to begin with but nowhere near as bad as Glencoe was when I passed through before arriving here. Plenty of people camping on the valley floor as I made my way across the steel-cable bridge and past the Steall Falls to begin the first ascent, An Gearanach.
- Nice walk along the valley floor.
- What a view back down to the meadows!
It was a very ‘zig-zaggy’ climb up the steep slope of An Gearanach, but breaking through the cloud I was rewarded with some incredible views back towards Ben Nevis and I got my first look at part of the Ring of Steall, with Sgùrr a’Mhaim and it’s tops.
- Fabulous cloud inversion, with Ben Nevis the main attraction!
- Sgùrr a’Mhaim.
The view from An Gearanach summit is superb, with Ben Nevis and it’s neighbours in full view, also the whole Ring of Steall circuit is there to see, and also Binnein Mòr and it’s wee brother Binnein Beag.
- An Gearanach summit view. The next few targets are in view, you can also see a cloudy Glencoe in the distance.
- Binnein Mòr and Binnein Beag as seen from An Gearanach.
Getting to the second Munro, Stob Coire a’Chàirn, required crossing a Munro Top called An Garbhanach. I really enjoyed this rocky scramble which proved to be more difficult than I thought it would be. Stob Coire a’Chàirn itself was a straightforward ascent, probably the easiest of the four Munros.
- Crossing An Garbhanach, with the next Munro, Stob Coire a’Chàirn in sight. You can also see Am Bodach looming large in the distance.
- Stob Coire a’Chàirn summit view, looking back at An Gearanach and it’s Top.
I didn’t hang around too long on Stob Coire a’Chàirn as the relentless attacks by large flies was a bit much so it was onward to Munro number three, Am Bodach.
- Am Bodach.
- What an incredible view!
Am Bodach is a very steep climb with some minor scrambling but very enjoyable in the conditions. Once again the summit views were breathtaking.
- Am Bodach summit, with Sgùrr a’Mhaim and Ben Nevis in the background.
- Beautiful Loch Leven.
- Looking back at where I’d been. it doesn’t get much better than this!
- Zooming in on the CMD Arête.
After a bite to eat on Am Bodach the temperature was rising as I began the trek to Sgùrr a’Mhaim, via two Munro Tops and the ‘Devil’s Ridge’. Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean made an appearance to my left as I made the walk across the Tops towards the ridge.
- Two Tops to cross next, Sgùrr an Iubhair and Stob Choire a’Mhàil.
- Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean looking magnificent!
Now to the Devil’s Ridge. Everyone will have their opinion on it but personally I found it pretty straightforward, and a lot shorter than I thought it would be. I was a wee bit disappointed there wasn’t more of a challenge. There is one scramble in the middle but that wasn’t too bad. It’s a minor gripe in an otherwise memorable day.
- The Devil’s Ridge.
- Final push up Sgùrr a’Mhaim.
- Looking back at the ridge and beyond. Amazing view!
- Sgùrr a’Mhaim summit.
Reaching the summit of the final Munro and looking back at where I’d been was a real sense of achievement. On a day of incredible weather and amazing views this was probably my best day on the Munros. Now all that was left was the descent of Sgùrr a’Mhaim, a long and steep descent which proved to be very tiring.
- Looking back at the Ring of Steall, the Mamores have never looked so good.
- Stunning view down the glen to Fort William.
- Ben Nevis just showing off now.
Overall this was a magnificent days walking in the Mamores, with views that will live long in the memory. The Ring of Steall is a route with a bit of everything. Steep ascents, ridges, scrambling, well worth checking it out.
Just make sure it’s a clear day
