The Wee Buachaille walk - 6
miles if full circular completed
Rough going over some sections, good navigation required in poor vis.
Gaelic= 'Small Shepherd of Glen Etive'
Care required in winter especially in
avalanche conditions.
2 Munros. Dangerous crags if you leave usual route.
QTVR Panoramic View
Description:
 Length: about 6 mile circular route
Start: Car park just beyond Lairig Eilde NN182563
Surface: Rough track, ill defined in places, scree, boulder fields
Hazardous if you leave the track.
Navigation: Easy in clear weather. Can be difficult in poor visibility.
Buachaille Etive Beag is often neglected as the little brother of the big Buachaille
but is in reality a worthwhile walk with extensive views into Glencoe and to Sgreamhach
and Bidean nam Bian with its extensive complex of ridges and corries. On the map to the
right is is seen to the east of Buachaille Etive Mor and is a shorter walk - ideal when
the days are shorter.
The ridge comprises 2 Munroes, Stob Coire Raineach (3030ft) and Stob
Dubh (3100ft), with a lesser peak of 2900ft on the ridge between these two. Stob nan Cabar
at the northeast end of the ridge is really a shoulder of Stob Coire Raineach but if time
permits it is worth a visit for the view down into Glencoe.  Route
From the carpark walk back up the hill to the signposted footpath leading over Lairig
Eilde to Glen Etive. Follow the footpath for about 500 yds and watch for a likely looking
track to the left before the main track drops down to cross the burn. Head SSE up
grassy/heather slopes and make for the col NN188545 at the centre of the ridge.
At the col (2450 ft) turn NE to climb about 500 ft up the boulder littered slopes
to Stob Coire Raineach.
From here you can extend your walk down to Stob nan Cabar for the view down Glencoe but
must return here to continue as a direct descent from Stob nan Cabar is hazardous.
Return to the col and continue past the small peak to the
final - tricky when icy - climb up to Stob Dubh.
 A stone (un-roofed) refuge here gives a little shelter from the often biting winter
winds whilst you admire the view down Glen Etive to Loch Etive in the distance.
To the west is Stob Coire Sgreamhach with its magnificent ridges, one of which leads
further west to Bidean nam Bian, probably the most complex series of the Glencoe
mountains. See the panoramic view below.
The only safe return without serious dificulty is to return to the col and descend
either the way you came up, or down the opposite side of the ridge to Laraig Gartain -
though this will extend the walk by almost two miles.
|
