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THE AONACHS

Aonach Mor is a granite mountain, being part of the Outer Granite of Ben Nevis. Aonach Beag is mostly composed of Dalradian schists. There has been extensive geological folding hereabouts. Impressive crags on both the east and west sides of these hills, which have been eroded into a series of deep gullies and scree slopes, limit the lines of escape in bad weather and add to the ‘big mountain’ feel of these tops. The huge bulk of the Ben Nevis horseshoe fills the western horizon.

ROUTE 2

Aonach Mor (1221m), Aonach Beag (1234m)

Start/Finish	footpath from the east end of the car park through Nevis gorge
distance	15km
Ascent	1240m
Difficulty	accurate navigation is essential, and in poor visibility can be notoriously difficult on these hills
Time	7hrs
Maps	OS sheet 41; Explorer map 392; Harvey’s Superwalker map Ben Nevis; Area Map 1
Access	Hillphones, tel: 01397 732362
Parking	car park at the end of Glen Nevis
Hostel	YHA, Glen Nevis; Independent Glen Nevis
B&B/Hotel	Fort William
Camping	Glen Nevis
Pronunciation	Ernoch More; Ernoch Bake
Translation	Big Ridge; Little Ridge

These two grand old men of the Scottish hills have been somewhat humbled by the ski-lift developments on the northern flanks of Aonach Mor, but approached from Glen Nevis they have lost none of their rugged appeal. There is an air of seriousness about them. Like many grand old men they need to be approached with care.

Starting from Glen Nevis, follow the popular walk through the gorge, past the beautiful Steall waterfall, to the little wooden bridge over the Allt Coire Giubhsachan. Turn north just before the bridge and climb steeply alongside the burn with its attractive waterfalls to reach a huge open corrie. One side of this great amphitheatre is hemmed in by the southeastern edge of the Ben Nevis/Carn Mor Dearg horseshoe, whilst on the other side looms the great bulk of Aonach Mor and the craggy southwest ridge of Aonach Beag. Follow the path to the head of the corrie, where it climbs to a small col between Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Mor 18715 72078 (2hrs 40mins).

Head east up a steep spur to arrive on easier ground at the southern end of Aonach Mor’s broad plateau, then head north up the gentle incline of the plateau to Aonach Mor’s summit cairn at 19310 72942 (3hrs 50mins). There is little difficulty in finding the right line onto the plateau in ascent, but (for anyone using this as an escape route) finding the right descent line in poor visibility is not nearly so easy. An error in navigation could lead to dangerous ground if you try to descend either too far to the north or too far to the south. Start the descent at 19243 72210 and keep a close eye on the aspect of slope to make sure you aren’t being lured off the right line.

From the summit of Aonach Mor, head south along the plateau, then south-southeast to cross the col between the two Aonachs. A glimpse over the edge to the east here will often reveal patches of snow that have stayed in the shelter of these gullies right through the summer. There is some wonderful mountain scenery to admire on both sides. Climb the stony ridge to the summit of Aonach Beag, which despite its name is actually the bigger of the two hills. The cairn is some way back at 19713 71487 (4hrs 50mins).

Glen Nevis

Aonach Beag from Sgurr Choinnich Mor

The summit of Aonach Beag is dome shaped, and the whereabouts of the southwest ridge is not immediately clear from the top. Trusting your compass bearing, however, will soon bring the ridge into view. A path leads down, occasionally dodging round obstacles and always staying well to the left (east) of the main cliffs. It returns, steeply at times but without difficulty, past the old ruin to the little wooden bridge at Steall. From here it is plain sailing along the tourist path back to the car park.