The Grey Corries

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Summary

The Grey Corries is the long chain of mountains set to the east of the Nevis Range. Well seen from the popular viewpoint of the Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge, their summits are covered with the quartzite scree that gives these mountains their name. The traverse of the Grey Corries main ridge gives a long and demanding but superb mountain walk. The route as described takes in the main three Munros, leaving a fourth for a separate walk.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

This route traverses rough, rocky and steep mountain ridges, narrow in places. The approach and descent have some pathless going on wet grassy and tussocky slopes.

Public Transport

None to start; train or bus to Spean Bridge.

Start

Parking by track junction at NN252793 beyond Corriechoille. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 21.5km / 13.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 9 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1544m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN252793

Summits Climbed

Munro: Stob Choire Claurigh
Munro: Stob Coire an Laoigh
Munro: Sgùrr Chòinnich Mòr

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (50)

Stage 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 track requires great care. The best place to park is where another track branches right at NN252793. Begin the walk by continuing on the track southeast. It soon passes further parking space where it crosses the line of a now-vanished tramway connected with the Fort William aluminium works. Pass through a gate, soon passing the Wee Minister - a wooden replacement for an old stone statue who looks out back across the glen. Continue ahead past areas of forestry with great views back.

Stage 2

Once the plantation on the right ends, go through the gate, but continue on the track to a second gate to avoid entering the enclosed square of ground on the right. After the second gate turn right across very boggy, pathless terrain, passing around the enclosed area and then steeply uphill with the fence and forest to your right. After passing the steepest lower slopes curve south up the open and grassy but wet slopes leading up to Stob Coire Gaibhre, a long and unremitting ascent. From here, the walk improves dramatically, with views across the corrie on the left with its tiny lochan to the outlying top of Stob Coire na Ceannain. There is a very brief descent before a gradual and then steeper and stonier climb up to point 1121m.

Stage 3

Unless you wish to make a detour out to Stob Coire na Ceannain, ignore the ridge leading off east, instead making a brief steep climb to gain the sharp slabby arête ahead. The crest here is narrow but easily bypassed by paths on the right side. It leads up to a first cairned summit (the photo shows the view back from here); continue along the crest to reach Stob Choire Claurigh. This first Munro of the day is the fifteenth highest mountain in Britain and enjoys a fine panorama. The outlier of the Grey Corries, Stob Ban, is to the south, but most eyes will be on the snaking main ridge leading away to the west.

Stage 4

The ridge leading on is broad and stony initially but there is a worn path that eases the going. It descends at first before a slight climb up to point 1105m. The ridge now curves gracefully and narrows as it descends on grass before a stony pull onto a rocky crest bordered by steep crags on the left side, before continuing to the next minor summit, Stob Coire Cath na Sine.

Stage 5

The ridge now switches direction more to the west, and crosses another area of stones before the ascent up to Caisteal at 1106m. From here there is a great view of the next section of ridge leading to the second Munro, Stob Coire an Laoigh, with steep crags on the right.

Stage 6

From Stob Coire an Laoigh there is a stony descent and climb to the next summit, Stob Coire Easain at 1080 metres. Now, a decision must be made. If you have enough energy, it is well worth continuing along the ridge to take in a third Munro, Sgùrr Chòinnich Mhòr - the most shapely of the Grey Corries, before returning to this point. Those who are already tired will want to omit this part of the walk and continue at paragraph 5. To include the extra peak, head down the well defined ridge to the south southwest to reach the wide Bealach Coire Easain. The next section of ascent is very steep, followed by a fine ridge leading to the summit of the pyramidal peak of Sgùrr Chòinnich Mòr . This is the third Munro of the day at 1094m. Return to the bealach and back up to Stob Coire Easain.

Stage 7

Descend the initially steep and stony slopes to the north northeast. These soon become easier angled and grassy, becoming a better defined ridge with some minor peaks over Beinn na Socaich. There are excellent views back to the main Grey Corries ridge.

Stage 8

Continuing the descent, the slopes become increasingly open and grassy, and finally tussocky and wet in places. Once the edge of the forestry draws close aim for a pedestrian gate in the forest fence. From here an ill-defined path leads through a gap in the young forestry plantation. Continue ahead until a minor hillock; the path improves to lead down to the left of this, emerging on a forest track. Turn right along the track.

Stage 9

The track soon leads over a bridge; ignore the track branching immediately left on the far side, continuing instead up slightly to reach a t-junction. Most guidebooks recommend taking the line of the old tramway back to the start, but much of the route has become extremely boggy and overgrown, and the bridges are missing. Instead turn left and follow the track downhill. At a track junction (with Spean Bridge signed ahead) follow the main track which bends right. Ignore a track off to the left, and at a second junction take the left fork downhill (ignoring the track climbing slightly right). This eventually leads back to the access track from Coirecoille and the start.

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