Aonach Eagach
_british_hills_double | hill_name=Aonach Eagach | image=
| image_text=The Aonach Eagach above the A82, looking up Glen Coe | country=Scotland | area=
Glen Coe |summit1=Sgor nam Fiannaidh |translation1=Rocky peak of Fian's warriors | language1=(
Gaelic)| height1_m=967 | height1_ft=3173 | rel_ht1=
c. 622 |grid_ref1=NN141583 | maps1=41 | listing1=
Munro,
Marilyn |pro1=/sgʌɹ næm fiænɛɪ/|summit2=Meall Dearg |translation2=Red hill | language2=(
Gaelic) | height2_m=951 | height2_ft=3120 |rel_ht2=
c. 118| grid_ref2=NN161583 | maps2=41 | listing2=
Munro |pro2=/miɜl dʒɛɹæk/|}}
The
Aonach Eagach is a rocky ridge lying to the north of
Glen Coe in the
Scottish Highlands, boasting two
Munro summits. The name is
pronounced and means
notched ridge in
Gaelic. It is sometimes known by the somewhat tongue-in-cheek name "Aggy Ridge".
In length the full ridge continues for 10
km from the
Pap of Glencoe at the east to the western end at the
Devil's Staircase. The central section, some 2 km in length, is very rocky and the route along it requires
scrambling ability. The Aonach Eagach is usually regarded as the most difficult 'scrambling' ridge in mainland
Scotland, though it vies with
Liathach, and in winter
An Teallach, for this title.
The Aonach Eagach is normally tackled from the Glen Coe (south) side. The most common route is from
east to
west, initially ascending to the ridge just east of
Meall Dearg by way of the watercourse of the Allt-na-righ. The summit of
Sgorr nam Fiannaidh lies only two
km to the west, however a number of pinnacles must be scrambled over, and it is not uncommon for parties to take more than two
hours to cross this seemingly short distance. There are a couple of sections where the use of a
rope may prove prudent.
From Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, the simplest descent is to head south by southwest, down a steep zig-zag
path leading by the side of Clachaig
gully. This 'path' is extremely loose in places,and has many small rock steps; it approaches close to the main gully in several places and so is potentially dangerous in poor visibility. A gentler alternative is to continue along the ridge, until reaching the
bealach between Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and the
Pap of Glencoe. From here a track heads down the hillside, ending on the road just outside
Glencoe village.
Alternatively, the two Munros may be bagged individually by simply descending by the route of ascent. However it is for the
traverse that the Aonach Eagach is best known.
In winter, the ridge is a fine expedition, though considerably harder than in summer (Scottish Winter Grade I/II), and many parties will go roped for some sections. Because of the short winter days, benightment on the ridge or its approaches is also not infrequent.
A path known as the
Devil's Staircase crosses the range about 6 km east of Meall Dearg. Today, as part of the
West Highland Way, it is used primarily by walkers and mountain bikers travelling between
Kinlochleven and
Glencoe. However, in
1692, it was the approach route for the (apparently delayed) troops coming from Kinlochleven to provide reinforcements for the
Massacre of Glencoe.
