Aonach Eagach ridge – Guided Traverse of the Aonach Eagach

Join West Coast Mountain Guides for a guided traverse of the mighty Aonach Eagach, Glencoe

Full day traverse of Aonach Eagach ridge & its 2 Munros
Confidently tackle grade 2 scrambling
All guiding & instruction included
Maximum 1:2 guide-to-hiker ratio

5 Stars - Based on 915 User Reviews

For booking please contact us directly at matt@westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk

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Spend a Day on the Classic Aonach Eagach Ridge Route

Experience One of the Classic Mountain Scrambles in Scotland on Aonach Eagach & Bag 2 Munros

About Aonach Eagach & Our Aonach Eagach Traverse

West Coast Mountain Guides offers you the opportunity to take your hiking in the Scottish Highlands up a notch with possibly the most famous ridge challenge in mainland Britain. The traverse along the ‘Notched Ridge’ (Aonach Eagach) covers 10 km and includes 2 Munros; Meall Dearg and Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh. The ridge dominates the landscape and offers outstanding views across the Glencoe area in this beautiful part of Scotland.

The traverse along this Glencoe ridge offers some of the best scrambles in Scotland. Attempting this with one of Mountain Leader trained guides will provide you with the support and instruction needed to maximise your chances of a successful traverse. Our Aonach Eagach guides are knowledgeable, with extensive experience of completing the traverse in a variety of conditions. The traverse includes some tricky, exposed scrambling, but is accessible to anyone with a head for heights however new to scrambling they are.

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Dates and Booking

Dates & Booking:

For booking please contact us directly at matt@westcoast-mountainguides.co.uk

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Customer Reviews

Winter mountaineering course Fantastic course led by Dave and David. Some brilliant routes completed (Aonach Eagach, Dorsal Arête and Beinn a Chaorainn) and plenty learnt! The two guides were both super friendly, knowledgeable and able to tailor to the specific needs of each of the clients on the course. Would definitely recommend this for anyone looking to foray into winter mountaineering.
Johnny 02 Jan 2023

Great day out on Aonach Eagach, which I have wanted to do for years! Dave was very experienced, knowledgable and friendly and his guidance allowed me to thoroughly enjoy the day. Would thoroughly recommend and I will be back for some more adventures on my next winter visit to Scotland!
Jonathan A. 02 Dec 2022

Great day on Aonach Eagach Great day out on Aonach Eagach, which I have wanted to do for years! Dave was very experienced, knowledgable and friendly and his guidance allowed me to thoroughly enjoy the day. Would thoroughly recommend and I will be back for some more adventures on my next winter visit to Scotland!
Jonathan A. 01 Dec 2022
Aonach Eagach group traverse Had a great day on the Aonach Eagach guided by Mark. Great company and nice to have the reassurance and company of Mark and the other client. Definitely made for a more relaxed and enjoyable day. I've been out with West Coast on the Cullin before this and would highly recommend West Coast.
Alex d. 22 Sep 2022

Aonach Eagach group traverse Had a great day on the Aonach Eagach guided by Mark. Great company and nice to have the reassurance and company of Mark and the other client. Definitely made for a more relaxed and enjoyable day.
I've been out with West Coast on the Cullin before this and would highly recommend West Coast.
alexdO6830UB 22 Sep 2022

Aonach Eagach Ridge was incredible! My partner and I did a guided hike with Chris on the Aonach Eagach ridge (outside of Glencoe) and it was amazing!! The trip lasted all day (8am - 4pm) and included hiking and scrabbling. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and made us very comfortable and safe. This was just enough outside of our comfort zone that we would have never done it alone--getting a guide was so worth it. There... read more read less
emmaeR1425VA 16 Sep 2022
Aonach Eagach Ridge was incredible! My partner and I did a guided hike with Chris on the Aonach Eagach ridge (outside of Glencoe) and it was amazing!! The trip lasted all day (8am - 4pm) and included hiking and scrabbling. Chris was extremely knowledgeable and made us very comfortable and safe. This was just enough outside of our comfort zone that we would have never done it alone--getting a guide was so worth it. There... read more read less
Emma E. 16 Sep 2022

Aonach Eagach Ridge Traverse An excellent day out on the Aonach Eagach. Ali was an excellent guide: calm, patient and knowledgable and we both felt completely safe. Even the Glencoe weather played ball!
ekahoutek 23 Aug 2022

Aonach Eagach ridge traverse Great day out on the Aonach Eagach ridge with West Coast Mountain Guides.
My 12 year old and I had little scrambling experience and certainly no experience on an exposed ridge but we felt confident and in safe hands so thanks Mike for a great day out.
Venture10701509888 16 Aug 2022
Aonach Eagach ridge traverse Great day out on the Aonach Eagach ridge with West Coast Mountain Guides.My 12 year old and I had little scrambling experience and certainly no experience on an exposed ridge but we felt confident and in safe hands so thanks Mike for a great day out.
steve 16 Aug 2022

Aonach Eagach Thoroughly enjoyed the experience of traversing the Aonach Eagach ridge with our excellent guide Ali who was friendly and very helpful at getting us across safely. The day went without a hitch and is a day I'll always remember and my fellow climber on the day was also good company. It was good to have the re-assurance of others on the day as the bulk of my walking... read more read less
Walter H. 28 Jul 2022

Finally got round to climbing Aonach Eagach ridge and decided to use West Coast Mountain Guides. As a solo walker it's usually too expensive to hire a guide unless it's with others. I was delighted with the arrangement to be paired up with someone else making it affordable. WCM arranged the logistics of this and it wasnt a problem for them. The day itself was a fantastic experience. We went... read more read less
andrew k. 25 Jul 2022

Full Description

Whether you’ve always wanted to conquer a Traverse of the Aonach Eagach, want to take part in some more demanding Munro bagging or are looking for something a little more challenging to do on a Scottish Highlands holiday, this day long guided hike is for you.

Typically we begin the day with a steep walk up the South East Spur of Am Bodach. From the summit, the real scale of the challenge is laid out before you with truly amazing views along the ridge and out towards Loch Leven, Ballachulish Bridge and the hills of Ardgour. The initial challenge of descending a short steep chimney sets the mood for the day, after which only a few exposed sections lead to the summit of your first Munro – Meall Dearg. The ground between the two Munros is what the Aonach Eagach is famous for: exposed but amenable scrambling up short chimneys, along picturesque arêtes and around the formidable ‘Crazy Pinnacles’ before basking in the glory atop the second and final Munro, Sgorr nam Fiannaidh.

The descent from the Aonach Eagach gets a fearsome reputation and rightly so given that taking the wrong turn can lead you into very steep and potentially dangerous ground. Having spent the day with your guide they will be able to assess the best and most enjoyable way for you and your partner to safely descend.

If you are new to scrambling or anxious about using technical climbing equipment, please don’t worry we are here to help. Throughout your time with West Coast Mountain Guides we will be on hand to teach you the technical skills needed to traverse the Aonach Eagach. Your guide will instil confidence in your equipment and manage all of the ropework in ascent and descent allowing you to enjoy this exciting and unique experience.

Experience needed

You don’t need scrambling experience to take part in this guided traverse, but you should be fit – as you will be out for up to 9 hours – with a good head for heights. We will provide instruction when necessary, and this can be a great way to go beyond more straightforward Glencoe hiking.

Course ratio 1:2

The maximum guide-to-participant ratio for this course is 1:2. This is because the ridge traverse involves grade 2 scrambling, including in descent. At times this is exposed and technical, and maintaining this ratio makes it more likely that all clients will complete the traverse successfully.

Costs & equipment

The price includes guiding and instruction and use of harnesses and helmets. Accommodation is not included but we can recommend suitable places to stay whilst visiting Glencoe.

Kit Requirements

Kit Ideally in a 20-45ltr Rucksack

Rucsac –A medium volume sac (20 -45 litres) is best. Use a strong plastic rucsac liner to keep the contents dry. External Rucsack covers have a habit of blowing away and don’t work as well as an internal liner. Everything needs to fit inside your sac.

Bivvy Bag –A large person sized poly or foil survival bag is the minimum requirement, essential.

Meals –Lunch, snacks and spare food.

Waterbottle –1 to 2 litres, maybe more during hot weather.

Head Torch –Even in summer it’s good practise to carry a small headtorch.

Insulated jakcet – Down jacket or synthetic/primaloft for emergencies

Regular scrambling kit on your body

Socks –Go for a medium to thick pair of synthetic or wool/synthetic blend socks (no need for spares)

Boots –For scrambling we recommend Mid Top Approach shoes, for general Munro hiking away from the Cuillin something more waterproof like a leather boot is recommended.

Long Sleeve Thermal/Base Layers –A thermal or wicking top is far better than cotton.

Midlayer Synthetic or Fleeces –At least one mid layer for your upper body. If you get cold easily perhaps add a fleece gilet/vest to your layering. Having an extra fleece top or synthetic layer in a waterproof liner at the bottom of your rucksack is useful for the bivi in the evening.

Windshirt or lightweight softshell jacket –Ideal for dry conditions.

Walking trousers –Polycotton, polyester or softshell is ideal.

Warm Hat & Gloves –A warm hat can still be very useful even in summer. For Skye, leather work or gardening gloves, which are cheap and durable are ideal. Remember that even in the height of summer, with a bit of rain and wind, it will still be quite chilly.

Waterproof jacket and over trousers ( Outer shell clothing) –The trousers should have at least a knee length zip enabling them to be fitted over boots. Lightweight waterproofs are ok.

Trekking Poles -These are optional, but useful particularly in descent. To keep weight down, consider taking only one, that can be either compressed or collapsed to fit inside your pack when not in use.

Climbing Equipment (We can supply all items below)

Helmet –Please bring one along if you can.

Harness –Please make sure the harness fits over all clothing and can be put on over boots and crampons. Adjustable leg-loops are preferable for ease of fitting.

Belay device, two HMS Carabiners –We can provide you with these if you don’t have your own.

Programme Outline

Enquiry Form

This is the enquiry form for questions about the Guided Traverse of the Aonach Eagach course.

Most common enquiries are dealt with in our FAQs – try there first.

If your question isn’t answered there, please complete the form , we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Private Guiding

If the dates or contents of a course are not exactly what you are after, we also offer private guiding, which makes up a large part of our working year. Private guiding can be arranged on dates to suit you, and we can tailor the course or guiding to match you needs and aspirations. There are no limits for the number of participants on privately guided day, so whether you are an individual after 1:1 guiding or tuition, or a group or club looking to develop their collective skills or reach a particular summit, please get in touch.

Find out more about Private Guiding