Hiking the Loch Leven summits, Central Highlands

The Mamores
The mountains are the highest covered on this page. The Mamores comprise of ten munros - most of them linked together by high ridges. This makes it possible to walk all of them in one very long day - something that's best done on the long summer days. The most scenic approaches are from the north from Glen Nevis where deep corries and crags are more abundant. The approaches from the Kinlochleven side tend to tackle long steep heather slopes. The paths on the Mamores are, however, very well constructed - there's no bog trotting here.

The Desolate Blackwater reservior

Stob Ban - one of the Mamore summits

Most of the ridge can be tackled without encountering too much exposure. There are, however, two outlying summits - Sgurr a' Mhaim and an Gearanach - off the main ridge that are linked by two narrow ridges. Sgurr a Mhaim is linked by the devils ridge and by and large it's not difficult - though there is a 10ft rock step to negotiate. I can't make comment about the other ridge.

The main summits on the Mamores are popular but for more peace and quiet head for the summits around Blackwater - here you're unlikely to see anyone and they offer interesting perspectives on the Glen Coe peaks. The Mamores don't, however, show their dramatic features from this angle.

Garbh Bheinn
This is a Corbett that provides an easy half days walk. It's a shapely peak with a nice ridge rising up from Loch Leven that provides an uncomplicated traverse of the mountain and can be started at Kinlochleven if you're based there. The summit can also be linked reasonably easily with the Aonach Eagach ridge - though resist the temptation to head due south from the summit to reach it as it's a very steep descent. A diversion east for ½ km before heading south is a less steep route to take.

Garbh Beinn seen from the south
on the bealach connecting it to
the Aonach Eagach Ridge

Garbh Beinn seen on the
road beside Loch Leven

The Pap of Glen Coe
This summit is a classic landmark that appears in many post cards. It appears as a shapely summit from most angles and it's a very popular summit too. There's a well worn path that goes up to it's summit and starts as a track ~1km north of the Youth Hostel. The lower slopes comprise of steep heather. The final slopes are quite rocky with some scrambling potential - though stick to the path and it'll take you the easy way up.

The Pap of Glen Coe and Loch Leven

Mam na Gualainn seen from the Mamores

Mam na Gualainn
This mountain is a long very broad ridge about 5km in length and reaches a height of 796m. The start of the ridge is about 2km west of Kinlochleven of the north shore of Loch Leven. There are numerous false summits and it's entire traverse can easily be done in one day. For those who just want the top, the steep south facing slopes can be tackled anywhere to give a short ascent.