4,049 ft · Central Highlands, Scotland
Aonach Beag
Aonach Beag is a 4,049 ft peak in the Central Highlands, Scotland. The standard route is the Glen Nevis Round via Steall: 10 mi, 4,690 ft of gain, Class 2.
Aonach Beag at a glance
- Elevation4,049 ft1,234 m
- RouteGlen Nevis Round via SteallClass 2
- Distance10 mi4,690 ft gain
- Time7 – 9 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Sep
- RangeCentral HighlandsScotland
Climbing the Glen Nevis Round via Steall
From Fort William, drive the Glen Nevis road off the A82 to the Upper Falls car park at the road end. Walk through the Nevis Gorge to the Steall ruins, then strike steeply up pathless slopes past Sgurr a' Bhuic and along the crest over Stob Coire Bhealaich to the great summit dome. Class 2. Most continue to Aonach Mor and descend its steep west spur into Coire Giubhsachan. A shorter option rides the Nevis Range gondola from Torlundy and crosses the Aonach Mor plateau. The summit cairn sits near a corniced cliff edge, and cloud makes navigation serious.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Low visibility
- Route-finding difficulty
- Cornices
- Steep exposure
- High winds
Quests with Aonach Beag
MunrosPeaks near Aonach Beag
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Aonach Beag?
Aonach Beag is 4,049 feet (1,234 m) tall. It is in the Central Highlands, Scotland.
How does Aonach Beag rank among the Munros?
At 4,049 feet, Aonach Beag is the 7th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.
How hard is it to hike Aonach Beag?
The Glen Nevis Round via Steall is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 10 miles with 4,690 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Aonach Beag?
Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Glen Nevis Round via Steall, covering 10 miles with 4,690 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Can a beginner hike Aonach Beag?
The Glen Nevis Round via Steall needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 10 miles with 4,690 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
When is the best time to hike Aonach Beag?
The usual hiking window is June to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Aonach Beag with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list