Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh
Stob Dubh (957m) — "black peak" — is the higher of the two Munros on Buachaille Etive Beag, "the small herdsman of Etive" — the smaller, slightly lower companion of the more famous Buachaille Etive Mòr across the Lairig Gartain pass. The hill is a fine sustained ridge walk and one of the best short days in Glen Coe, with easier going than its bigger neighbour. The summit views span the Glen Coe peaks to the north-west and Rannoch Moor to the east.
Gaelic: “small, pointed peak, black” · Pronunciation: buachaille etive bek stob doo
Quick facts
- Height
- 956.7m/ 3139ft
- Prominence
- 468 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 842 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN179535
- Parking
- NN188561
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 22km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
Lairig Gartain path 30% · Open hillside 30% · Summit ridge 40%
Park at the small lay-by on the A82 between the two Buachailles, where the Lairig Gartain path heads in from the road. Climb the steep stalkers' path up to the bealach between Stob Dubh and Stob Coire Raineach, then turn south-west and climb the long undulating ridge to Stob Dubh. Most parties also take in Stob Coire Raineach (the second Munro) on the return for a short two-Munro round. Around 8km return with 920m of ascent for the pair.
Terrain
The Lairig Gartain stalkers' path is firm well-built track climbing to the bealach. Above the bealach the ridge towards Stob Dubh is broad mossy turf with rocky outcrops — easy walking with a single brief scrambly step near the top. A small rocky platform holds the summit cairn. The ridge to Stob Coire Raineach involves a short steep climb with a rocky step.
In winter
A serious Glencoe winter Munro pair. The Lairig Gartain bealach gathers wind-loaded snow during westerly storms. Cornicing on the north sides of both summits is consistent. The A82 corridor stays gritted and the Glencoe car parks are reliable. SAIS Glencoe applies. Mobile reception absent above 700m.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 4m
- Edinburgh3h 51m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: No bars above 700m. The A82 at the Glencoe car parks has occasional signal. Have maps ready before entering the Glencoe Pass.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:03
- Sunset
- 21:49
- Civil dawn
- 04:09
- Civil dusk
- 22:44
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh.
Around Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Bridge of Orchy station
Black Mount; Beinn Dorain, Beinn an Dothaidh, Beinn Achaladair, Beinn a Chreachain
18km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
23km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh — common questions
- Is Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh a hard climb?
- Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 842m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Lairig Gartain stalkers' path is firm well-built track climbing to the bealach.
- How prominent is Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh?
- Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh has 468m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh?
- Standard parking is at NN188561. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh?
- The standard good-weather months for Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh are May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh?
- No bars above 700m. The A82 at the Glencoe car parks has occasional signal. Have maps ready before entering the Glencoe Pass.
- Is Buachaille Etive Beag - Stob Dubh safe in winter?
- A serious Glencoe winter Munro pair. The Lairig Gartain bealach gathers wind-loaded snow during westerly storms. Cornicing on the north sides of both summits is consistent. The A82 corridor stays gritted and the Glencoe car parks are reliable. SAIS Glencoe applies. Mobile reception absent above 700m.
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