Curved Ridge up Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg: route map, distance and time
1,021 m · Highland
Stob Dearg is the iconic rocky peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, guarding the entrance to Glen Coe and Glen Etive from Rannoch Moor.
A grade three scramble up the rocky face of Stob Dearg, for experienced scramblers.
Curved Ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Grade | Scramble |
| Start | Altnafeadh car park |
| Start grid reference | NN 222 562 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 222 542 |
Curved Ridge 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
Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg summit weather for this route
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Poor Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 46 mph gusting 58 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:20, sunset 16:46.
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Marginal Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 38 mph gusting 48 mph, 2% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:22, sunset 16:44.
Best day of the next seven for the Curved Ridge: Sunday 1 November, with summit gusts around 10 mph and a 27% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Glen Coe avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 58 mph.
- 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 Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg
Stob Dearg is the iconic rocky peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, guarding the entrance to Glen Coe and Glen Etive from Rannoch Moor. More about Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob na Doire (1,011 m), 1.8 km south-west
- Stob Coire Altruim (939 m), 2.8 km south-west
Challenges that include Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg
Other routes up Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altnafeadh via Coire na Tulaich | 3.6 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 222 562, the summit at NN 222 542), 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.
Curved Ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Curved Ridge?
The Curved Ridge is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Buachaille Etive Mor - Stob Dearg. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
Where do you park for the Curved Ridge?
The Curved Ridge starts from Altnafeadh car park. The grid reference is NN 222 562.
Is the Curved Ridge suitable for beginners?
No. It is a scramble: you use your hands on rock, often with big drops below. Go with someone experienced, on a dry and calm day.
Is there a GPX for the Curved Ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).