Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach

Aiming uphill from Loch Achtriochtan

The start point is at the western end of Glencoe, just beyond Loch Achtrioachtran where there's a large parking area on the south side of the A82 by the bridge to Achnambeithach cottage.

If you have two vehicles, then leave one of them at the finish point, the Three Sisters car-park, around 4km east up Glencoe. This will avoid an hour or so of walk along the A82, which can be fairly unpleasant in the holiday season or busy weekends.

Approaching Bidean nam Bian's summit from the north-west

From the car-park, head west and cross the bridge over the River Coe. Go through a gate and start walking southwards on a well constructed path that keeps above the west bank of the Allt Coire nam Beithach.

The path heads uphill towards a waterfall (fine photo-opportunity) beyond which the ascent steepens.

Into Coire nam Beitheach and sticking to the west side of the burn, the path reaches some scree and zig-zags up to the crest of the northern arm of Bidean nam Bian where views dramatically open up.

Now on the crest, follow a path southwards along this ridge as it gradually rises. There are some easy rocky sections and boulder to clamber over before Stob Coire nam Beith is reached - a minor top on Bidean nam Bian.

After a slight drop and one final push while sticking to a path, the two heights of Bidean nam Bian are reached. The summit is the easterly top , on which a small pile of boulders make a cairn. Being the highest point in Argyll, views from Bidean nam Bian's summit are amazing on a clear day.

Descending Bidean nam Bian towards Stob Coire Sgreamhach

Leave Bidean nam Bian's summit and head south-east along a ridge following a path. Narrow at first, and with some easy scrambling, the crest widens further on as height is lost.

Reach the bealach between Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach and since this is where you'll return to, this might be a good place to drop-off rucksacks. There views from here are impressive, particulary down the Lost Valley to the Aonach Eagach.

On an obvious path, head up more bouldery ground eastwards, taking care not to be drawn by some lose paths too far northwards. Not before long ascent easies and it's onto Stob Coire Sgreamhach's crest, and then the summit cairn .

Crossing the Allt Coire Gabhail at the foot of the 'Lost Valley'

Return to the bealach , then with care, head down Coire Gabhail - loose steep ground higher up leads to boulder-field, then a constructed path lower down. The path is initially quite steep, but levels out giving fine walking/running is enjoyed down a gradual gradient crossing occasion burns. The Allt Coire Gabhail is crossed and you're into the Lost Valley - a strange but wonderful place where the river disappears into the ground.

The path continues down the east side of the glen and further down, the river needs to be crossed - if in spate, retreat back up the glen a bit, into the trees where the crossing is easier. Once over, remain on the path on the west side of the river, there are several points with drops into the gorge below, so take care ! Reach a gate through a deer-fence and follow the path through regenerated woodland down to cross the River Coe via an army constructed bridge over the deep and narrow gorge.

If you've not organised transport, follow the remains of the old road, then the Millenium Path aside the A82 back to the start-point.