Stob Coire an Laoigh

Stob Coire an Laoigh, at 1,116 metres, sits roughly halfway along the classic Grey Corries ridge — a long chain of quartzite peaks east of Ben Nevis, their pale scree slopes giving the range its name, well seen from the Commando Memorial near Spean Bridge.

The route starts from a rough track junction beyond Corriechoille, itself just past the end of a minor road from Spean Bridge. A good track leads through felled forestry, past the Wee Minister — a wooden sculpture with a Lochaber Mountain Rescue collection box — and on towards Lairig Leacach bothy below Stob Bàn. From the bothy area, the route climbs onto the main ridge, most commonly via Stob Choire Claurigh first, the highest of the range's Munros, before an undulating, broad, stony ridge — eased by a worn path — leads west over several minor summits including Stob Coire Cath na Sine, with large flat rocks like coffee tables strewn across sections of the crest. A straightforward pull leads to Stob Coire an Laoigh's cairn.

From here, a stony descent and climb leads over chunky rocks to the Munro Top of Stob Coire Easain, before a decision point: energetic parties continue south-west down a well-defined ridge to the Bealach Coire Easain and a steep climb to Sgùrr Chòinnich Mòr, the most shapely peak of the range, before returning to this point; others descend more directly.

The full traverse of the main three Munros — Stob Choire Claurigh, Stob Coire an Laoigh, and Sgùrr Chòinnich Mòr — from Corriechoille is around 20-24 kilometres with substantial ascent, typically eight to ten hours; a fourth Munro, Stob Bàn, can be added via a separate south ridge approach for the exceptionally fit.

This is rough, rocky, and exposed ridge terrain, narrow in places, with pathless sections of wet grassy and tussocky ground on the approach and descent — full navigation and sustained fitness are essential given the length and remoteness of this classic traverse.

Parking at Corriechoille is free but limited; there is no public transport directly to the start, though Spean Bridge has both rail and bus connections.