Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Stob Coire an Laoigh
Stob Coire an Laoigh is the 1116m central peak of the Grey Corries chain east of Ben Nevis, midway along the long quartzite ridge that links the Aonachs with Stob Choire Claurigh above Glen Spean. The summit is a circular stone windshelter at the high point of one of the most photogenic ridges in Britain: a continuous 5km of pale quartzite blocks that gives the range its name. Almost always climbed as part of the Grey Corries ridge traverse, not as a standalone summit.
Gaelic: “pointed peak, corrie, the, calf” · Pronunciation: stob kor-a an laoigh
Quick facts
- Height
- 1116.7m/ 3664ft
- Prominence
- 74 m
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 983 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN239725
- Parking
- NN255810
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 13km
- 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
Forest track 25% · Open hillside 30% · Quartzite ridge 45%
The standard line is from Corriechoille east of Spean Bridge, following the Lairig Leacach track south for around 5km then climbing west onto the Grey Corries ridge. Stob Coire an Laoigh sits roughly in the middle of the ridge — most parties traverse east from Stob Choire Claurigh and continue west to Sgurr Choinnich Mor for a major three-Munro day. The 18km/983m figures are for a single-summit out-and-back.
Terrain
The Lairig Leacach track is firm gravel. The climb up onto the ridge is steep grass and rocky steps. The Grey Corries ridge itself is pale broken quartzite with a generally good path along the crest; the rock grips well in dry conditions, becomes glassy when wet. The summit windshelter is unmistakable in clear weather. Long ridge with modest re-ascent between tops.
In winter
A serious winter ridge traverse. Verglas-coated quartzite is unforgiving and cornicing on the north corrie rims is consistent through the season. The Lairig Leacach approach gives some shelter but the ridge above is fully exposed. Avalanche risk on the north corries after westerly storms. SAIS Lochaber applies — full kit and competence essential.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 24m
- Edinburgh3h 1m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: Zero signal above 900m anywhere in the Grey Corries. Spean Bridge has good 4G. The Lairig Leacach bothy approach has no signal from the forest edge onwards.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:02
- Sunset
- 21:50
- Civil dawn
- 04:07
- Civil dusk
- 22:45
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Stob Coire an Laoigh.
Around Stob Coire an Laoigh 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)
10km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
13km 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
12km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Stob Coire an Laoigh — common questions
- What difficulty is Stob Coire an Laoigh?
- On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Stob Coire an Laoigh comes in at 4/5 — challenging. Expect roughly 18km and 983m of ascent on the usual route — 6-9 hours for most parties. Underfoot: The Lairig Leacach track is firm gravel.
- What is Stob Coire an Laoigh's prominence?
- 74m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Stob Coire an Laoigh to the next higher ground.
- Where do I park for Stob Coire an Laoigh?
- Most walkers start from NN255810. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Stob Coire an Laoigh?
- May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Stob Coire an Laoigh. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
- Is Stob Coire an Laoigh dog-friendly?
- 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 Coire an Laoigh?
- Zero signal above 900m anywhere in the Grey Corries. Spean Bridge has good 4G. The Lairig Leacach bothy approach has no signal from the forest edge onwards.
- Is Stob Coire an Laoigh safe in winter?
- A serious winter ridge traverse. Verglas-coated quartzite is unforgiving and cornicing on the north corrie rims is consistent through the season. The Lairig Leacach approach gives some shelter but the ridge above is fully exposed. Avalanche risk on the north corries after westerly storms. SAIS Lochaber applies — full kit and competence essential.
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