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4,006 ft · Central Highlands, Scotland

Aonach Mòr

Aonach Mòr is a 4,006 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 Mòr in the Central Highlands, Scotland

Aonach Mòr at a glance

  • Elevation4,006 ft1,221 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 the gorge path to the Steall ruins, climb pathless slopes past Sgurr a' Bhuic onto the ridge and cross Aonach Beag, then descend north to the col and rise gently across the vast plateau to the summit cairn. Class 2. Descend the steep, eroded west spur to the Carn Mor Dearg bealach and return down Coire Giubhsachan. A shorter option rides the Nevis Range gondola from Torlundy. The plateau is featureless in cloud and edged by corniced cliffs into early summer.

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 Mòr

Peaks near Aonach Mòr

  1. Aonach Beag

    Aonach Beag

    4,049 ft · 0.9 mi away

  2. Càrn Mòr Dearg

    Càrn Mòr Dearg

    4,003 ft · 1.1 mi away

  3. Ben Nevis

    Ben Nevis

    4,411 ft · 1.9 mi away

  4. Sgùrr Choinnich Mòr

    Sgùrr Choinnich Mòr

    3,589 ft · 2.3 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Aonach Mòr?

Aonach Mòr is 4,006 feet (1,221 m) tall. It is in the Central Highlands, Scotland.

How does Aonach Mòr rank among the Munros?

At 4,006 feet, Aonach Mòr is the 8th highest of the 282 Munros. The highest is Ben Nevis.

How hard is it to hike Aonach Mòr?

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 Mòr?

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 Mòr?

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 Mòr?

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 Mòr 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