Aonach Mor & Aonach Beag - Nevis Hills - July 2005

Aonach Mor & Aonach Beag Information

Another couple of the biggies and another excellent Nevis range walk at hand.  Aonach Mor has although been scarred on its northern side by the Gondola network.  Although this can act as a nifty shortcut the walk up Aonach Mor is a brilliant climb and its not proper if you get the lift.  Although Aonach Mor translates to big ridge it is actually the smaller of the two hills and not the most exciting,  you could land a 747 on the summit plateau.  Aonach Beag on the other hand is a craggy piece of work and the eastern cliffs are a spectacular site and you don't really want to be wandering off there !  My Munro book quoted 7 -10 hours which is a bit OTT took me 6 hrs and i wasn't exactly beasting it.  Views of course are as to be expected absolutely brilliant with Ben Nevis and the arête the most obvious feature in site.  The Grey Corries are also looking good, next on the hit list!  To the south the Mamores look amazing. Aonach Beag was my 50th Munro there aint no stopping me now ! 

Aonach Mor & Aonach Beag Route

The route starts off at the car park at the head of the Glen Nevis road where in the summer months parking is at a mjor premium so get there fast.  Take the footpath into Glen Nevis proper an excellent area and one which is used frequently for the Mamores.  This walk down through the glen lasts about 40 minutes passing the Steall bridge and Steall Falls.  Once you reach Steall Ruin it is your que to take to the hill, so head north falling the path going to the Carn Mor Dearg bealach.  Its quite a steep climb but enjoyable due to the views of the Mamores.  After about 50 minutes of climbing the path levels out a bit as you continue to follow the stream right up to the bealach.  Looking up is brilliant as you see people walking along the arête.  Once you reach the bealach the extremely steep slopes of Aonach Mor are the last obstacle.  A Line of fence posts show your route up on a very eroded scree-ish path a tough climb and very dangerous if someone is walking behind you i dislodged 2 boulders accidentally and thankfully no one was behind.  you gain the last bit of height very quickly and after about 20 minutes you attain the summit plateau where its now just a short stroll to the summit.  the views of the Grey Corries really open up.  Take in the views of of The Big Yin and and the next part of the walk Aonach Beag, before you head back to the bealach.  Its a steep climb up the craggy slopes of Aonach Beag were you eventually top out right on the summit.  The cliffs on the eastern side of the summit are huge and you would have a pretty sore knapper if you stepped off there.  The descent takes you down the south west ridge passing a few other tops on route.  Once you reach the final part of the shoulder that drops you back into Glen Nevis the path can become very boggy.  keep following the path right along the shoulder and follow the stream back down to Steall Ruin where you walk back along Glen Nevis back to the car park. 

This is a good walk and its always good to climb a "biggy", and any walk that takes you this close to Ben Nevis is never a bad thing, weather was good and defiantly a memorable walk.

Aonach Mor & Aonach Beag Images / Photos / Pictures

             Aonach Mor as seen from the bealach                   Aonach Beag  from Aonach Mor with a wee bit of snow (July !)

    The south west ridge of Aonach Beag with steep cliffs            Sgurr a Mhaim ( Mamores) as seen from Aonach Beag

        Binnein Mor from Aonach Beag           Loch Eil and CMD from Aonach Mor                      Ahh the big yin !