Nevis Range via Aonach Mor up Aonach Beag (Highland): route map, distance and time
1,234 m · Highland
Aonach Beag is a 1234m Munro east of Ben Nevis, the higher partner of Aonach Mor, often reached from the Nevis Range gondola.
From the top of the gondola you climb beside the ski area to the Aonach Mor plateau and follow the broad ridge south to Aonach Beag.
Nevis Range via Aonach Mor at a glance
| Distance | 8.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,261 m |
| Time up | 3h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Nevis Range gondola base station (Torlundy) |
| Start grid reference | NN 173 774 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 197 715 |
Nevis Range via Aonach Mor map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Nevis Range via Aonach Mor takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 45m | 5h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 35m | 6h 35m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:10. Start by 11:50 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08. Start by 11:48 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Aonach Beag summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Clear sky, up to 3°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 10 mph gusting 22 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:10.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Mostly dry, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 29 mph gusting 36 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for Nevis Range via Aonach Mor: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 22 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 68% (Good), best around 07:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Aonach Beag forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Aonach Beag?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Lochaber avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Aonach Beag
Aonach Beag is a 1234m Munro east of Ben Nevis, the higher partner of Aonach Mor, often reached from the Nevis Range gondola. More about Aonach Beag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob Coire Bhealaich (1,101 m), 0.8 km south-east
- Aonach Mor (1,220 m), 1.5 km north
- Sgurr a' Bhuic (963 m), 1.5 km south-east
- Stob an Chul-Choire (1,070 m), 1.7 km north
- Carn Mor Dearg (1,220 m), 2.1 km west
- Carn Dearg Meadhonach (1,179 m), 2.4 km north-west
Challenges that include Aonach Beag
More walks from Nevis Range gondola base station
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nevis Range gondola and ski area up Aonach Mor
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 173 774, the summit at NN 197 715), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Nevis Range via Aonach Mor: questions and answers
How far is Nevis Range via Aonach Mor?
Nevis Range via Aonach Mor is 8.1 km one way to the summit of Aonach Beag, with 1,261 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.2 km.
How long does Nevis Range via Aonach Mor take?
About 3h 45m to the summit of Aonach Beag and 5h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 6h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Nevis Range via Aonach Mor?
Nevis Range via Aonach Mor starts from Nevis Range gondola base station (Torlundy). The grid reference is NN 173 774.
Is Nevis Range via Aonach Mor suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first.
What time should I start Nevis Range via Aonach Mor today?
By 11:50 at the latest. Sunset on Aonach Beag today is 18:10, Nevis Range via Aonach Mor takes about 5h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Nevis Range via Aonach Mor?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).