Bidean nan Bian

This is in the editors opinion the most majestic peak in Glen Coe. It has many deep corries and fine ridges making it a very complex mountain. It's also a serious mountain with most approaches (either via the ridges or corries) being steep. The mountain provides numerous route finding problems in the mist where some exit routes follow a precise line among the craggy bluffs.

The finest ridge approach is via the summit of Beinn Fhada - pretty narrow including a small scramble on the final pull to the main summit ridge. You need to follow quite an intricate route to reach it to the Glen Coe valley. Another ridge walk worth following is that over Stob Coire an Lochan after ascending the corrie of Coire an Lochan. This sees both cliff scenery from below and from Above.

There are two fine corries worth ascending. One is called "The Hidden Valley" or Coire Gabhail and is appropriately named - after ascending up beside the waterfall at Glen Coe, you move over massive boulders and finally descend into the valley floor behind - perfectly hidden from view. The views are stunning - super steep super big walls on three sides. This valley is also very well sheltered from storms - 130mph winds can scream across the ridges wile all is calm in this valley. The other corrie is Coire nan Bieth - a higher corrie and feels very arctic during the winter with eerie cliffs.

Under snow, it's safer to stick to the ridges to get on and off the mountain - the corrie headwalls are particularly prone to avalanche.

This mountain lies largely hidden from the Glen Coe road - it's further back than the other summits and the bulky ridge of Aonach Dubh a' Ghlinne gets in the way (though impressive in it's own right). The easiest route is to ascend the side of the aforementioned ridge, via long, steep and unrelenting slopes to reach its broad back. The rest of the route is kinder on the lungs.

The popular descent route is towards the Corbett of Meall Lighiche. It's very steep in places - following the fence posts up there will gaurantee that. Before you encounter these crags, you will find easier passage by trending west and here the descent to the bealach should be uncomplicated.

This munro could also be linked in with Bidean nan Bian via Beinn Maol Chaluim though the route is very steep in places - the west slope of Beinn Maol Chaluim particularly so as well as the south west slopes beneath the summit of Bidean nan Bian.