Pap of Glencoe

[steverabone]

There are already plenty of descriptions of this hill but maybe mine will add something different to those already posted.

I climbed this 'Graham' (or as this forum calls them 'Fionas' ) in August 2023. Starting from just 4 metres above sea level at Glencoe village there is a considerable height gain to reach the summit at 742m - much greater than many Munros!

I used the Fort William to Kinlochleven local bus to get to Glencoe but returned on a Citylink service from Glasgow to Fort William.


The first section goes through the village.....


......to cross the river at Bridge of Coe.


Just beyond a path leads off the road to Glencoe Lochan (signposted Glencoe Orbital and Pap of Glencoe) and heads off through the woods......


.....avoiding needing to walk on the road. It's a pleasant start to the day.


After passing a small car park the way to the Pap heads uphill at this gate...


.....and then slowly starts to climb...


...eventually reaching a path junction at a bridge. There is a informal sign here labelled hard route (straight ahead) and easy route (over the bridge).


After crossing the bridge the climb starts in earnest with views of the Glencoe Munros over to the right.


There are some interesting sections over boulders.....


.....but the eye is drawn back to Loch Leven, Glencoe village and the Ballachulish bridge.


Over to the south are the cloud covered Munros of Bidean nan Biam and Sgurr na h-Ulaidh.


The path was very busy with numerous French, Spanish and Germans who I believe were part of a large walking group. Most were not really prepared for what the weather on Scottish hills can be like - no evidence of waterproof clothing for instance!


The track continues towards the distinctive gorge of the Allt a' Mhuilinn....


...before swinging right across the hillside.


Looking back down to Loch Leven again.


The track then swings back to the left as .....


......it traverses across the hillside so as to reduce the steepness of the path.


The summit of the Pap of Glencoe comes into view for the first time and it looks like I will have a view.


As the slope eases slightly the track crosses a stony but peaty area.....


...before reaching a depression with a stream in it.


Beginning the final section of the climb the track steepens and....


....takes a course around the eastern side of the summit....


.....with the steepness of the hillside being obvious here. In the distance is the head of Loch Leven and the pointed summit of the Corbett Garbh Beinn.


Just before the summit is reached there is this superb view looking down to Loch Leven.


The summit cairn on the Pap of Glencoe . It had taken about two and a half hours walk from the start of the walk. In the far distance are the hills of the Ardgour across Loch Linnhe.


A panoramic image looking from the summit. To the left is the neighbouring Munro Sgorr nam Fiannaidh whilst, over to the right, are the two Munros above Ballachulish Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill.


Later in the afternoon the clouds lifted and it became sunnier. The panorama above shows almost the same view as from the summit.


The Pap of Glencoe as seen from Glencoe village in the afternoon sunlight.