Aonach Eagach
Good walks are even better shared.
NN2345 : The Aonach Eagach Ridge of Stob Ghabhar
Iain Lees Photo source
Overview
Aonach Eagach is the 1,000 m subsidiary top of Stob Ghabhar in the Black Mount, at NN235453. DoBIH lists it as a deleted Munro Top with 9 m prominence. This is a different hill from the famous Glencoe ridge. Use Stob Ghabhar mapping and route guidance; the former Glencoe route cards are not applicable here.
Aonach Eagach: the Stob Ghabhar top
Which Aonach Eagach?
This page is for the 1,000 m Aonach Eagach at NN235453, a subsidiary top of Stob Ghabhar in the Black Mount. The Database of British and Irish Hills lists it as hill 247, with 9 m prominence, a cairn and the historical classification Deleted Munro Top (xMT). It is not a current Munro or Munro Top. The database name and location are retained. DoBIH v18.6
The familiar Glencoe traverse over Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh is a different Aonach Eagach. Both Walkhighlands and UKHillwalking explicitly distinguish Stob Ghabhar's ridge from its Glencoe namesake. Confirm the grid reference before choosing a guide or route.
Planning a visit
Use a current map and a guide specifically covering Stob Ghabhar. Walkhighlands describes the Stob Ghabhar and Stob a' Choire Odhair circuit from the car park near Victoria Bridge (NN270418), reached on the road from Bridge of Orchy. That is a substantial two-Munro mountain day, not a measured standalone itinerary to this subsidiary top. Read the complete route
The surrounding mountain terrain includes loose steep slopes, a narrow rocky ridge and route-dependent scrambling. The published circuit has a steep waterfall-side descent and a burn crossing that can be difficult in spate. Do not improvise a descent or assume an easier return. Terrain and route context
Correction to the former route information
The five retained route cards are marked not applicable to this hill because they described the separate Glencoe mountains. Their old distances, times and difficulty labels have been withdrawn. They are not replacement itineraries for Stob Ghabhar.
In particular, the former Clachaig Gully ascent-and-return advice must not be followed: the British Mountaineering Council warns against the old gully-side path, and Glencoe Mountain Rescue documents serious accidents there. The former Devil's Staircase exit also described the wrong location; the official West Highland Way places that pass on its Altnafeadh–Kinlochleven section.
Access and mountain safety
The published Stob Ghabhar route lists no public transport to Victoria Bridge. Check onward transport and current services before setting out; facilities at the start have not been verified. Bring food, water and emergency equipment.
Check mountain weather and, when relevant, avalanche information. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them, allow enough daylight and leave your plan with someone. Snow and ice require suitable winter skills and equipment. In an emergency, call 999 or 112, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Scottish Mountain Rescue advice
Source and scope
Identity checked against DoBIH v18.6 on 15 October 2026. The source record's revision remains 15 August 2012; this is not a new survey. Its high-precision grid and coordinate-derived grid differ slightly and have been preserved as separate source values. Precise summit geology, linked tracks and photograph provenance have not been verified in this review.
Explore routes near Aonach Eagach
Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.
Ben Nevis via Mountain Path
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Banavie to Glen Loy Aqueduct: Neptune’s Staircase Canal Towpath
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Killin: Falls of Dochart, Finlarig and Moirlanich Longhouse
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Beinn Ime from Succoth
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Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.
Not applicable here: Classic Aonach Eagach Ridge Traverse (East to West)
NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS HILL. This former itinerary described Glencoe's Aonach Eagach, not the Stob Ghabhar top at NN235453. Its Devil's Staircase exit was geographically incorrect for the stated east-to-west traverse. Do not use this card for navigation; its distance and time have been withdrawn. Consult a current guide specifically for Stob Ghabhar.
Not applicable here: Aonach Eagach Ridge via Am Bodach and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh (Circular)
NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS HILL. Am Bodach and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh belong to the separate Glencoe ridge. The former southward descent and A82 return did not establish a safe, verified circuit. The itinerary and its metrics are withdrawn; do not use this card to reach the Stob Ghabhar top at NN235453.
Not applicable here: Aonach Eagach Ridge (West to East Traverse)
NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS HILL. This former west-to-east traverse concerned the Glencoe ridge, not Aonach Eagach on Stob Ghabhar at NN235453. Its vague ascent, descent and return instructions are withdrawn, together with the unverified distance and time. This retained card is a correction notice, not a route guide.
Not applicable here: Shorter Aonach Eagach Scramble (Am Bodach to Meall Dearg)
NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS HILL. Am Bodach to Meall Dearg is part of the separate Glencoe ridge. Turning back repeats serious exposed scrambling and is not an easy escape. The former shortened itinerary and its metrics are withdrawn. For the Stob Ghabhar top at NN235453, use a guide and map for that mountain.
Not applicable here: Sgorr nam Fiannaidh via Clachaig Gully (Alternative Ascent)
DO NOT FOLLOW THE FORMER CLACHAIG GULLY ADVICE. This entry described Sgorr nam Fiannaidh in Glencoe, not the Stob Ghabhar top at NN235453. Published mountaineering guidance warns against the dangerous gully-side path. The former ascent, same-way return, difficulty label, distance and time are withdrawn. This is a safety correction, not an alternative ascent.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Photo Gallery
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NN2345 : The Aonach Eagach Ridge of Stob Ghabhar
Iain Lees
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NN2345 : Perfect Conditions on Stob Ghabhar
Iain Lees
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NN2345 : The notch
Nigel Brown
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NN2345 : Stob Ghabhar
Dale Rodgers
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NN2345 : On the Aonach Eagach of Stob Ghabhar
Iain Lees
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NN2345 : Narrow section of the Aonach Eagach ridge
Alan O'Dowd
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NN2345 : High on the Ridge
Adam Ward
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NN2345 : Aonach Eagach
Richard Webb
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NN2345 : The ridge east from Stob Ghabhar
Colin Park
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NN2345 : Eastern ridge of Stob Ghabhar
Steven Brown
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
1,000m
3,281 ft
Prominence
9m
Coordinates
56.5669, -4.8735
NN235453
OS Map
50
Explorer: 377E 384
At the Summit
Cairn, as recorded for DoBIH hill 247.
Terrain & Geology
Precise bedrock at this Stob Ghabhar subsidiary top has not been verified. The former schist description was not substantiated for the location NN235453.
Views & Scenery
The local setting is the Black Mount, beside Stob Ghabhar and its corries. The former Glencoe-ridge panorama description does not establish views from this particular top.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
The name 'Aonach Eagach' translates to 'the notched ridge', which is quite fitting given its serrated profile.
Historical Significance
The Database of British and Irish Hills records this Stob Ghabhar subsidiary top as a deleted Munro Top (xMT). That is a historical classification, not current Munro status. Its source revision date is 15 August 2012, not a documented delisting date.
Getting There & Facilities
Parking
The published Stob Ghabhar route starts at the car park near Victoria Bridge, NN270418, on the minor road from Bridge of Orchy. Confirm access and space on the day; this is not the Glencoe village parking described previously.
Public Transport
The published Stob Ghabhar route lists no public transport to Victoria Bridge. Arrange and check onward travel to that start; Glencoe bus information does not describe access to this hill.
Nearby Facilities
Facilities at the Victoria Bridge start have not been verified in this review. Plan food, water and other needs before setting out; the former Clachaig Inn and Glencoe village facilities text referred to the wrong area.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Confirm NN235453: the Glencoe Aonach Eagach traverse is a different location.
- Steep loose slopes, narrow rocky ground and route-dependent scrambling require competent mountain navigation.
- The published Stob Ghabhar circuit includes a steep waterfall-side descent and a burn crossing that may be difficult in spate.
- Do not follow the former Clachaig Gully or Devil's Staircase instructions on this page.
Seasonal Hazards
Snow, ice, strong wind and low cloud can make the mountain significantly more serious. Check mountain weather and avalanche information; winter conditions require appropriate skills and equipment.
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 Eagach?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Aonach Eagach through the maps
Are there other walkers around Aonach Eagach?
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 Eagach search or of course create your own walk for Aonach Eagach
Can I organise a walk to Aonach Eagach?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Aonach Eagach.
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 Eagach?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Aonach Eagach here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Community Discussion
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Location
Grid reference: NN235453
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