NN1971 : The Ben View

Aonach Beag

1,234m Elevation
404m Prominence
Scotland Country
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NN1971 : The Ben View

Adam Ward Photo source

Overview

Aonach Beag by Ben Nevis

This Aonach Beag is DoBIH hill 279 in the Nevis range. Current DoBIH, revised 10 May 2026, gives 1234.2 m, which is used for this page’s height. The original import gave 1234 m; its retained 2012 revision and empty survey field describe that older import. The current primary source lists a Leica RX1250 survey. This is distinct from the Aonach Beag near Ben Alder, DoBIH 347.

A full two-Munro circuit

The route starts and finishes at Glen Nevis road-end car park, NN168691. Walkhighlands gives 16.5 km, 1430 m ascent and 8–10 hours for the whole circuit over Aonach Beag and Aonach Mòr, including the Sgùrr a’ Bhuic and Stob Coire Bhealaich ridge approach.

Follow Steall Gorge into the upper glen, pass the wire-bridge turning without crossing it, and continue to the later footbridge and Steall ruins. Climb beside Allt Coire nan Laogh onto Sgùrr a’ Bhuic, then continue over Stob Coire Bhealaich to Aonach Beag. Descend northwest to the narrow bealach and climb onto Aonach Mòr’s plateau, taking care to locate its summit.

From Aonach Mòr, retrace south briefly before locating the steep western descent to the 830 m bealach. Descend south through boggy Coire Guibhsachan, rejoin the glen path and return through Steall Gorge to the same road-end car park. These figures do not describe a gondola start, a Lower Falls start, a hostel ascent or a single-summit return.

Summit, landscape and name

Aonach Beag’s recorded summit is a small cairn at NN1970971493. It offers views towards Ben Nevis and Càrn Mòr Dearg, with the Grey Corries and other Highland ranges beyond. There is no verified summit shelter in the reviewed record.

The mountain contains metamorphosed sedimentary rocks; the Geological Survey describes schists and limestone in its folded structure. The name means “Small Ridge”, referring to lesser bulk than neighbouring Aonach Mòr rather than lesser height. The Steall ruins on the approach record former settlement in the upper glen.

Serious mountain terrain

The plateaux have precipitous edges, the connecting bealach narrows, and the western descent is exceptionally steep and eroded. Navigation becomes demanding in mist and winter. Lower slopes can be very boggy, while the gorge path is rocky and slippery when wet or icy. Carry appropriate equipment and allow for a long mountain day.

Check current road-end parking signs and path or bridge notices. Toilets are listed at Lower Falls, not at this route’s road-end start. The seasonal bus serves Lower Falls rather than the road end; any extra approach needs separate planning and current timetable checks. The Nevis Range gondola facilities are not facilities on this itinerary.

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Aonach Beag and Aonach Mòr circuit from Glen Nevis road end

Start and finish at the car park at the very end of the Glen Nevis road (NN168691). Follow the rocky Steall Gorge path, ignore the wire-bridge turning, and continue up the glen to the later footbridge and Steall ruins. Climb rough ground beside Allt Coire nan Laogh to Sgùrr a’ Bhuic, then follow the ridge over Stob Coire Bhealaich to Aonach Beag’s small summit cairn at NN1970971493. Descend northwest to the narrow connecting bealach and climb north onto Aonach Mòr, reaching its summit cairn. Retrace south for about 400 m before taking the steep, eroded western descent to the 830 m bealach. Turn south down Coire Guibhsachan, regain the glen path by the footbridge, and return through Steall Gorge to the same car park. Walkhighlands gives 16.5 km, 1430 m ascent and 8–10 hours for this whole two-Munro circuit. The plateau edges are precipitous and the descent is difficult to locate in mist. Lower Falls, hostel and gondola starts are different itineraries.

16.5 km Strenuous mountain circuit
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Munro Simm High Hills of Britain

Elevation

1,234m

4,049 ft

Prominence

404m

Coordinates

56.8000, -4.9541

NN197715

OS Map

41

Explorer: 392

At the Summit

A small cairn marks the recorded summit at NN1970971493. DoBIH lists no alternative summit point in the reviewed row. No substantial shelter or trig point is established by that record.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky gorge path rough and sometimes boggy slopes quartzite ridges a narrow connecting bealach and broad high plateaux. The western descent from Aonach Mòr is extremely steep and eroded.

The Geological Survey’s Ben Nevis memoir describes folded metamorphosed sedimentary rocks around Aonach Beag, including Ballachulish Limestone and Leven Schists. Quartzite occurs on the Sgùrr a’ Bhuic approach. This exact Nevis mountain should not be confused with the Aonach Beag geological sites near Ben Alder.

Views & Scenery

Views towards Ben Nevis and Càrn Mòr Dearg, the Grey Corries and Mamores, with Loch Linnhe and distant western hills visible in clear conditions.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

Aonach Beag means “Small Ridge”. In this Nevis pair, the name refers to its lesser bulk than Aonach Mòr, even though Aonach Beag is higher.

Historical Significance

The Glen Nevis approach passes the ruins of the former Steall settlement, evidence of past habitation in the upper glen. The John Muir Trust now cares for its paths and habitats; a specific connection between this summit and the Jacobite rising was not verified.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

The car park at the very end of the Glen Nevis road (NN168691) is the circuit start and finish. The final road is narrow. Highland Council approved charges here in May 2026; check current payment and overnight restrictions on site. Lower Falls and the Nevis Range gondola car parks are different starts.

Public Transport

Shiel Buses lists a seasonal Fort William service to Glen Nevis Lower Falls, not the road-end car park. Check current operating dates and return services directly with the operator and plan the additional approach separately; it is outside the published circuit figures.

Nearby Facilities

Highland Council lists composting toilets at Lower Falls, farther down Glen Nevis. No café or toilets at the road-end start or on the mountain were verified; arrange supplies and facilities before beginning the circuit. Fort William has wider services.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • The high plateaux have precipitous edges. Accurate navigation is essential, especially in mist, snow or winter conditions.
  • The descent west from Aonach Mòr is extremely steep and badly eroded; the correct exit can be hard to locate in poor visibility.
  • The long lower descent is boggy, while Steall Gorge has rough rocky ground above the river. Wet or icy conditions increase slip risk.
  • This full circuit visits two Munros and intermediate tops. It is not the short waterfall walk and does not use the Steall wire bridge.
  • Follow current path and bridge notices; the John Muir Trust is assessing maintenance needs in upper Glen Nevis.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Aonach Beag?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Aonach Beag through the maps

Are there other walkers around Aonach Beag?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Aonach Beag search or of course create your own walk for Aonach Beag

Can I organise a walk to Aonach Beag?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

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How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Aonach Beag?

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Location

Aonach Beag location map

Grid reference: NN197715

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