Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag)

Stob Dubh, at 958 metres, is the higher of two Munro summits on Buachaille Etive Beag — "the little herdsman of Etive" — the smaller and quieter sibling of the famous Buachaille Etive Mòr across the Lairig Gartain, offering a gentler introduction to Glen Coe's mountains.

The route starts from parking areas along the A82 between The Study and Altnafeadh. A path climbs at a gentle gradient south-west before forking; the left branch (the right leads through the Lairig Èilde to Glen Etive) continues uphill, well-constructed though eroded in places, crossing a burn before a steeper 200-metre pull and a further, easier stretch to the bealach between the two summits. From here, a very obvious path climbs south-west over grassy and occasionally loose gravel ground, levelling out around 900 metres before the final approach to Stob Dubh narrows to a scrambly crest — it's worth continuing a short distance beyond the summit cairn to a second cairn with a sensational view down Glen Etive to Loch Etive, Ben Starav prominent across the water, and the Paps of Jura visible in perfect conditions.

Most walkers also take in the second Munro, Stob Coire Raineach, from the bealach — a rough but relatively short climb through scree and small boulders.

The combined round taking in both Munros from the A82 is around 5-5.5 hours, considerably shorter and gentler than the neighbouring Buachaille Etive Mòr, and often recommended as one of the easier and more family-friendly Munro days in Glen Coe.

The final approach to Stob Dubh includes a short scrambly section, and the descent on short grass can become genuinely slippery when wet — otherwise this is a straightforward, well-pathed route suitable for confident walkers of most experience levels.

Parking along the A82 near Altnafeadh is free but can be very busy in summer and at weekends; Citylink buses between Fort William and Glasgow stop at Altnafeadh.