Stob Ban (Mamores) and Mullach nan Coirean

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Summary

Stob Ban is one of the finest peaks in the Mamores, its quartzite summit giving magnificent views. A very fine ridge traverse links it to its westerly neighbour Mullach nan Coirean, giving an excellent circuit.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Scree and shattered rocky ridges on Stob Ban; easier going on Mullach nan Coirean, with some boggy ground on descent. This is a steep mountain walk, but with good paths for most of the route.

Public Transport

Bus service May to September runs up Glen Nevis to Polldubh car park.

Start

Polldubh car park. 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: 13km / 8 miles
Time (summer conditions): 6 - 8 hours
Ascent: 1155m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN145683

Summits Climbed

Munro: Stob Ban
Munro: Mullach nan Coirean

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (64)

Stage 1

Park in the car park (charge) situated above the Glen Nevis road just before reaching the bridge at Polldubh. It is worth walking over to this bridge before starting the walk to have a good look at the Polldubh Falls (also known as the 'Lower Falls'), usually busy with coach parties - but the walk starts from the nearside of the bridge. Don't take the left hand path leading up beside the River Nevis itself, but instead take the right hand track through a gate. This becomes a path and keeps to the east side of the Allt Coire a'Mhusgain.

Stage 2

The path is muddy in places at first but follows the line of an old stalkers path and improves higher up. It climbs at a steady angle but fairly relentlessly, soon passing through another gate and then beneath the southwest ridge of Sgùrr a Mhaim, and keeping a fair distance above the stream in its deep ravine. The path climbs through some attractively scattered deciduous woodland before passing below a crag and then gaining a good deal of height in a series of zig-zags. It then traverses the east flank of the glen before climbing again in more zig-zags by a fine waterfall.

Stage 3

The path crosses a shallow upper corrie and climbs again to reach a broad bealach. Looking back, there are superb views back down the coire to Glen Nevis. To the east of the bealach is Sgòr an Iubhair (part of the Ring of Steall walk); but our route heads west up the ridge towards the impressive peak of Stob Ban.

Stage 4

The ridge is grassy at first narrowing, with the upper slopes of Stob Ban towering very impressively above. A path helps the ascent of the steep and shattered quartzite slopes above, keeping a little to the left initially on the climb up the final ridge which curves round above the dramatic northeast face of the mountain.

Stage 5

The gradient eases onto the summit of Stob Ban, which is a spectacular viewpoint; Ben Nevis looks its full height above the glen, whilst looking east the other Mamores peaks in view look magnificent. To continue the walk, follow the ridge northwards from the summit - the descent is initially over shattered quartzite rocks. You can either pass over or across the western flank of a rounded rocky knoll - both ways are equally rough underfoot.

Stage 6

Below this the quartzite thankfully relents and a grassier path is reached. It is possible to bypass the next knoll on the ridge - this is the culminating point of the north ridge of Stob Ban that continues for some distance before a precipitous plunge to the glen; rather than following this, our route heads for the 846m bealach to the west. Beyond this the straightforward ridge climbs up to a minor summit with a tiny area of quartzite rocks, and then continues along the ridge.

Stage 7

Further on the ridge narrows dramatically to a rocky crest - this can be traversed or bypassed on the left to reach another bealach. Beyond this the ridge broadens and climbs once more to a wide plateau at point 917m. There is then another short descent before the final rise to the massive cairn that marks the true summit of Mullach nan Coirean at 939m.

Stage 8

This flat-topped peak offers sensational views towards Loch Linnhe. Follow the ridge northwards from the summit before curving right onto the northeast ridge. The crest of the ridge leads down to eventually reach a fence and stile at 642m. Ignore the stile and continue down to the left of the fence. Further down is a second stile - again ignore this and keep left of the fence. The path now becomes very boggy and descends steeply by the fence towards the Allt a' Choire Riabhaich.

Stage 9

Near the bottom cross a stile and follow a thankfully much drier path through some attractive native birchwoods and then through a felled area to gain a forest track. Head right along this, forking left downhill when a junction is reached. At the sharp bend ahead, take the good path which descends more directly through the trees to return to Achriabhach. Turn right along the road to return to the car park at the start.

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