Stob Choire Claurigh

Stob Choire Claurigh is a mountain in the Grey Corries range in Lochaber, Highland. It stands about 16 kilometres east of Fort William and reaches 1,177 metres. The Grey Corries stretch eight kilometres along a ridge that never drops below 800 metres, with twelve summits including four Munros. The upper slopes are made of pale grey quartzite rocks and scree, visible from villages like Spean Bridge and Roybridge. The mountain’s Gaelic name means ‘peak of the brawling corrie’, possibly referring to the sound of stags during the breeding season. It sits near Ben Nevis, one of Scotland’s most famous peaks. The mountain is recognised as one of the best ridge walks on the Scottish mainland. Four ridges radiate from its summit, linking to other Munros such as Stob Ban and Stob Coire an Laoigh. The northern ridge descends two kilometres to the Munro top of Stob Coire Gaibhre before reaching Leanachan Forest. A spur on the northern ridge leads to Stob Coire na Ceannain, offering easy scrambling. The south ridge connects to Stob Ban over a col at 803 metres, while the south-west ridge continues for three kilometres to Stob Coire an Laoigh. A common route starts at Corriechoille farm near Spean Bridge, following a track through Leanachan Forest. The path leaves the forest and climbs steep slopes to the north-east ridge, passing Stob Coire Gaibhre and Coire na Ceannain. The summit is marked by a pile of quartzite boulders, with views over the Grey Corries ridge and towards Ben Nevis. The circular lochan in Coire na Ceannain and the switchbacks of the ridge add to the dramatic scenery. Walkers often continue along the ridge, descending eventually to the forest and back to Corriechoille.