Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Stob Choire Claurigh
Stob Choire Claurigh is the highest of the Grey Corries — the long, pale, quartzite-capped ridge that runs east from the Aonachs above Glen Spean. At 1178m the cairn-and-shelter summit is one of the great viewpoints of Lochaber, looking south to Ben Nevis and west along the full sweep of the ridge to Stob Coire Easain and Stob Ban. The pale broken quartzite that crowns most of the Grey Corries gives the range its name — visible as a continuous grey backbone from the A82 along Glen Spean.
Gaelic: “pointed peak, corrie” · Pronunciation: stob chor-a claurigh
Quick facts
- Height
- 1178.3m/ 3866ft
- Distance
- 19 km
- Ascent
- 1037 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN261738
- Parking
- NN255810
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Forest track 25% · Open hillside 30% · Quartzite ridge 45%
The standard line starts from Corriechoille east of Spean Bridge and follows the Lairig Leacach landrover track south. After roughly 4km, climb steep grass and rock north-east onto the long west ridge of Stob Choire Claurigh. Around 19km return with 1037m of ascent for the single summit; most parties traverse the whole Grey Corries ridge east over Stob a' Choire Lèith, Caisteal, Stob Coire an Laoigh and Sgurr Choinnich Mor for one of the great Lochaber long ridge days.
Terrain
The Lairig Leacach track is firm gravel. Off the track the climb is on steep grass with rocky outcrops; the quartzite of the upper ridge is pale, blocky and grippy in dry conditions, slippery when wet. The summit ridge is broken stones with the cairn/shelter visible from afar. Long ridge traverses involve modest up-and-down between bumps but no scrambling proper.
In winter
A major Lochaber winter ridge. Quartzite under verglas is treacherous; cornices form on the north sides of all the Grey Corries summits. Avalanche risk on the north-facing corries is significant after westerly storms. The full ridge in winter is a serious mountaineering undertaking; even single-summit ascents need axe, crampons and full kit. SAIS Lochaber applies.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 25m
- Edinburgh3h 0m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: Limited signal at Corriechoille car park on the B8004. Signal drops out above 700m in the Grey Corries. Download offline maps.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:30
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:26
- Civil dusk
- 23:10
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Stob Choire Claurigh.
Around Stob Choire Claurigh on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Roy Bridge station
Glen Roy; Grey Corries (Stob Choire Claurigh, Sgurr Choinnich Mor)
8km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
16km 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
14km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Stob Choire Claurigh — common questions
- How hard is Stob Choire Claurigh?
- Stob Choire Claurigh is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 19km with 1037m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Lairig Leacach track is firm gravel.
- Where do I park for Stob Choire Claurigh?
- Standard parking is at NN255810 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Stob Choire Claurigh?
- The standard good-weather months for Stob Choire Claurigh 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 Stob Choire Claurigh?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Stob Choire Claurigh?
- Limited signal at Corriechoille car park on the B8004. Signal drops out above 700m in the Grey Corries. Download offline maps.
- Is Stob Choire Claurigh safe in winter?
- A major Lochaber winter ridge. Quartzite under verglas is treacherous; cornices form on the north sides of all the Grey Corries summits. Avalanche risk on the north-facing corries is significant after westerly storms. The full ridge in winter is a serious mountaineering undertaking; even single-summit ascents need axe, crampons and full kit. SAIS Lochaber applies.
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