Stob Coire Creagach (Binnein an Fhidhleir), Butterbridge

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Stob Coire Creagach is the highest summit of Binnein an Fhidhleir - the latter being the original name of the whole mountain, although walkers often use it to refer to the lower western summit. The mountain impressively walls in the north side of Glen Kinglas. It gives a short hillwalk but with a truly gruelling and unremittingly steep ascent. The views from the ridge are simply superb.

Terrain

Wet ground at first then drier slopes of grass and rock. The ascent is extremely steep and pathless higher up.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Butterbridge car park, A83. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park in the large Butterbridge car park on the south side of the main road. The old stone arch bridge on the line of the original military road here was built under the direction of Major Caulfeild (General Wade's successor) in 1743. To begin the walk, return to the main road and head very briefly along it to the right, crossing with care and then heading through a gate onto the track that leads up Glen Kinglass. Almost immediately fork left through another gate to start up an initially very boggy path up the right hand side of a fence, climbing through a young plantation of native birches and Scots pines.

Stage 2

Higher up the path veers right away from the fence to reach and cross a ladder stile. From here the path fades out; head uphill towards the crags, aiming for the obvious grassy gully slightly to the right. Climb this and continue up onto the shoulder, where the gradient of ascent thankfully eases a little for a time.

Stage 3

Keep to the indistinct ridge, heading towards a band of crags. These can be breached by a gully which is very steep for a couple of steps - if necessary, this can be avoided by descending slightly to the right before regaining the ridge up an easier grass ramp. The ridge then continues more easily towards an upper band of crags. These are bypassed to the right.

Stage 4

The summit cairn of Stob Coire Creagach is soon reached beyond. The cairn has a splendid position above the crags and offers superb views to the Arrochar Alps, the Paps of Jura and the Isle of Mull.

Stage 5

Although Stob Coire Creagach is the true summit of the Corbett, the whole mountain is also known as Binnein an Fhidhleir, a name which is sometimes applied only to its westerly outlying top. This is well worth the diversion along the undulating ridge, crossing the minor summit of Creag Bhosgain along the way. The OS trig point is built into the cairn and the views down Loch Fyne and across to Beinn an Lochain are wonderful. If making this diversion, retrace your steps back to Stob Coire Creagach.

Stage 6

The usual descent route is to retrace the line of ascent. Another possibility for extending the walk is to head along the ridge to the northeast before descending into Glen Kinglas and returning along the track.

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