Stob Dearg (Buachaille Etive Mòr)

Stob Dearg, at 1,022 metres, is the highest point of Buachaille Etive Mòr — "the great herdsman of Etive" — and one of the most photographed mountains in Scotland, its pyramidal profile instantly recognisable from the A82 across Rannoch Moor.

The standard route starts from the layby at Altnafeadh, following a track across a footbridge over the River Coupall to the white cottage of Lagangarbh, a well-known mountaineering hut. Beyond the cottage the path forks; the right branch climbs steadily into Coire na Tulaich, crossing the Allt Coire na Tulaich and steepening as it threads through boulderfields to the right of the central scree chute, before cutting back left up a rocky rib to reach the bealach. Turning left here leads along a broad, bouldery ridge that narrows as the summit cairn is approached.

Most walkers continue along the ridge to take in the mountain's second Munro, Stob na Bròige, passing the subsidiary tops of Stob na Doire and Stob Coire Altruim, before descending via Coire Altruim to the path through the Lairig Gartain and back to Altnafeadh.

The full ridge traverse taking in both Munros is around 13 kilometres with 1,100 metres of ascent, typically seven to nine hours for a fit party.

The ascent gully of Coire na Tulaich is a well-documented avalanche blackspot — three climbers died here in an avalanche in January 2009, two more the following year, and the mountain has seen further fatalities from falls and exposure in the years since. This route should not be underestimated: the initial scree gully is steep and rough, the ridge itself has significant exposure in places, and full winter skills are essential whenever snow is present.

Parking at Altnafeadh is free but limited; the nearest bus stop is at the Kingshouse Hotel, around 3 miles east.