The Glen Etive Mountains

Ben Starav and the South Glen Etive ridge Ben Starav is the boldest mountain seen from Glen Etive - it throws out great north ridge that plunges from 1078m to sea level in 2 ½ km. Between that ridge and the east ridge a high hanging corrie lies backed by granite crags. The north ridge only relents in two places - one 550m high and the other at 850m up. The upper part of the ridge becomes progressively more rocky and narrow until it suddenly arrives at the summit. It's east north east ridge is regarded as being the finest part of the traverse as you scramble over castellated granite blocks (easily circumvented on the south side). The scramble is pretty short lasting only 100m. The ridge continues easily over Glas Bheinn Mhor - more a ridge mountain than a solitary lump - to Stob Coir an Albannaich. Most of the route is on easy inclined ground. There is also the munro of Beinn nan Aighenam that is off the main ridge and demands a two hour round trip from the main ridge.

The summit of Stob Coir an Albannaich is more graceful than Ben Starav - though less dramatic. Its summit is fringed by a 200m high escarpment and has a beautiful east summit ridge. An easy ramp leads north from the east ridge 100m off the summit to take you to the next bealach before the broad slopes to the final summit dome of Meall nan Eun.

Beinn Trilleachan and the other Corbetts of Glen Etive

This is another famous mountain in Glen Etive famous for the Etive Slabs. The ascent of the summit goes right above these slabs giving some sense of exposure. The views down Loch Etive are said to be superb from this summit.