How long does Buachaille Etive Beag take?

Most walkers take 4–5 hours for the 7.6 km route, which has 1,080 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.

Where does the walk start, and where can I park?

It starts at Lairig Eilde car park, A82 (grid reference NN 182 563). Free roadside car park; small.

Can I get there by public transport?

Citylink buses on the A82 stop at Glencoe village (request stops by arrangement).

Which hills does it climb?

Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag) (957 m, Munro); Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag) (925 m, Munro).

Two walkers on the ridge of Buachaille Etive Beag

Cat Bassano · Unsplash

Glen Coe Hard

Buachaille Etive Beag

2 Munros Out and back Car-free

Two Munros on the 'little shepherd of Etive', with superb views into Glen Coe and down Glen Etive.

Distance: 7.6 km
Ascent: 1080 m
Time: 4–5 h
Grade: Hard
Route: Out and back
High point: 957 m

Drag along the profile to see where you are on the map.

Download GPX Print route card

Offline navigation is coming in the TRXO app. Hear when it launches.

Route mapped on 20 Oct 2026 from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on 19 Oct 2026. For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.

About this walk

Buachaille Etive Beag is a hard 7.6 km out-and-back walk with 1,080 m of ascent, taking 4 to 5 hours. It starts at Lairig Eilde car park, A82 (grid reference NN 182 563). It climbs 2 listed hills, the highest Stob Dubh at 957 m. The start can be reached by public transport.

Buachaille Etive Beag is the smaller sister of the famous Buachaille Etive Mòr, but it gives a shorter, outstanding ridge day with two Munros. The climb to the central bealach is steep and rough, after which both summits are short out-and-back walks along the ridge.

Great views Ridge Reachable by public transport

Route

1
To the bealach

Follow the path south from the car park, then climb steeply on a rebuilt path to the bealach between the two summits.
2
Stob Coire Raineach

Turn north-east for a short climb to the first Munro, then return to the bealach.
3
Stob Dubh

Follow the ridge south-west over a minor top to Stob Dubh, then return the same way to the bealach and descend.

Summits

Stob Dubh

957 m

“Black peak”

Say it: stop DOO

Munro Marilyn

Stob Coire Raineach

925 m

“Peak of the bracken corrie”

Say it: stop korra RAN-yach

Munro Marilyn

Other routes up these hills

Plan your day

Start Pace Day

Time needed: 4 h 16 min
Back by: 13:16
Sunset: …
Turn back by: …

Based on Naismith's rule plus short breaks. Allow extra in winter or poor weather.

A link with the route, your start time and when you expect to be back, to send to someone at home.

Summit forecast

–

Forecast at Stob Dubh summit (957 m). Always check a mountain forecast too.

Getting there

Start: Lairig Eilde car park, A82
Grid ref: NN 182 563
Parking: Free roadside car park; small.
Transport: Citylink buses on the A82 stop at Glencoe village (request stops by arrangement).

Directions to start

Terrain

Steep rough path to the bealach, then a rocky ridge. Some easy hands-on ground near Stob Dubh.

Bog factor

Not recommended for dogs.

Access & seasonal notes

Deer stalking takes place on surrounding estates from July to October. The main path is unaffected, but check Heading for the Scottish Hills before leaving it.

Land and access

This walk crosses land looked after by National Trust for Scotland. The conservation charity that looks after some of Scotland's best-known mountain estates, including Glencoe, Ben Lawers, Torridon, Kintail, Mar Lodge and Goatfell.

Many of its car parks charge non-members, and the money helps pay for path repairs on the hill.
Ranger notices at the start explain any path works, closures or ground-nesting restrictions.

In Scotland you have a right of responsible access to most land, including the hills, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Take responsibility for your own actions, and respect people's privacy and peace of mind.
Help land managers do their job: follow reasonable advice about lambing, deer stalking, tree felling and shooting.
Keep dogs under proper control, on a short lead near livestock and in the bird breeding season (April to July).
Leave no trace: take all your litter home.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

What to take

A serious mountain day. Weather on the tops can be far worse than in the valley, and navigation is hard in cloud. Expect winter conditions from October to May.

Nothing out of the ordinary, so the usual kit below.

✓Map and compass (and know how to use them)
✓Waterproof jacket and trousers
✓Warm layer, hat and gloves, even in summer
✓Food, water and a head torch
✓Charged phone; register for emergency SMS (text 'register' to 999)

Hill safety guide

Questions about this walk

How long does Buachaille Etive Beag take?: Most walkers take 4–5 hours for the 7.6 km route, which has 1,080 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
Where does the walk start, and where can I park?: It starts at Lairig Eilde car park, A82 (grid reference NN 182 563). Free roadside car park; small.
Can I get there by public transport?: Citylink buses on the A82 stop at Glencoe village (request stops by arrangement).
How hard is it?: It's graded hard. Steep rough path to the bealach, then a rocky ridge. Some easy hands-on ground near Stob Dubh.
Which hills does it climb?: Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag) (957 m, Munro); Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag) (925 m, Munro).
Can I take my dog?: It isn't recommended for dogs. Before you go: Deer stalking takes place on surrounding estates from July to October. The main path is unaffected, but check Heading for the Scottish Hills before leaving it.

Walked this? Tell the next walker

No reviews, condition reports, walkers' photos or trip reports for this walk yet. Yours would be the first.

Write a review

Add a report

Add photos

Write a trip report

Walks nearby

All walks near Kinlochleven

View northeast from Stob Dubh Looking along the main part of the Buachaille Etive Beag's long ridge, as far as the other Munro of Stob Coire

Hard · New

Stob Dubh from Lairig Eilde car park

Lairig Eilde car park

6.3 km · 880 m · 3–4 h

Moderate · New

Stob Coire Raineach from Lairig Eilde car park