Munro · Glen Coe & Lochaber
Stob Ghabhar
Stob Ghabhar — "peak of the goats" — is the 1090m Munro at the heart of the Black Mount, the most shapely peak in the range west of Rannoch Moor. The summit is a cairn on a small rocky platform above the great north-east corrie, Coireach a' Bha. The corrie holds the famous Stob Ghabhar climbs, including the classic Upper Couloir, and the view east across Rannoch Moor to Ben Alder is one of the broadest in the western Highlands.
Quick facts
- Height
- 1089.2m/ 3573ft
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 958 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN230455
- Parking
- NN271423
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Lochside / glen path 40% · Open hillside 35% · Summit ridge 25%
The classic line is from Victoria Bridge on the A82 north of Bridge of Orchy, taking the track through Forest Lodge then climbing the long south-east ridge over Aonach Eagach (a smaller subsidiary, not the Glen Coe ridge of the same name) to the summit. Around 18km return with 958m of ascent. Often combined with Stob a' Choire Odhair via the high col for a two-Munro Black Mount day.
Terrain
The Forest Lodge track is firm gravel through Caledonian pine remnants. The south-east ridge of Stob Ghabhar is steep grass and rock with a clear stalkers path; the upper section is broken rocky ground. The summit cairn sits close to the corrie rim — keep clear of the edge above Coireach a' Bha. The connection to Stob a' Choire Odhair via the high col is broad walking.
In winter
A major Black Mount winter venue. The north-east face of Stob Ghabhar holds Grade III-V winter climbs including the Upper Couloir classic. Cornicing on the corrie rim is severe. Avalanche risk on the north-east slopes after westerly storms. The A82 corridor is gritted. SAIS Glencoe 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 52m
- Edinburgh3h 39m
OS maps: OS Landranger 50
Mobile signal: Limited signal at Bridge of Orchy. No signal at Victoria Bridge or above on the approach.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 22:05
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Stob Ghabhar.
On a long-distance route
Stob Ghabhar sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Stob Ghabhar 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
9km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
31km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
Stob Ghabhar — common questions
- How hard is Stob Ghabhar?
- Stob Ghabhar is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 18km with 958m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Forest Lodge track is firm gravel through Caledonian pine remnants.
- Where do I park for Stob Ghabhar?
- Standard parking is at NN271423 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 Ghabhar?
- The standard good-weather months for Stob Ghabhar 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 Ghabhar?
- 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 Ghabhar?
- Limited signal at Bridge of Orchy. No signal at Victoria Bridge or above on the approach.
- Is Stob Ghabhar safe in winter?
- A major Black Mount winter venue. The north-east face of Stob Ghabhar holds Grade III-V winter climbs including the Upper Couloir classic. Cornicing on the corrie rim is severe. Avalanche risk on the north-east slopes after westerly storms. The A82 corridor is gritted. SAIS Glencoe applies.
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