Aonach Beag (Nevis Range)

Aonach Beag, at 1,234 metres, is the seventh highest mountain in Britain, one of Ben Nevis's closest neighbours and almost always climbed together with its twin, Aonach Mòr.

The classic on-foot route starts from the car park at the head of Glen Nevis, following the popular path through the Nevis Gorge to Steall Falls before climbing steeply via Stob Coire Bhealaich onto the broad ridge, then along to Aonach Beag's summit. A faster but less purist alternative rides the Nevis Range gondola from Torlundy to around 650 metres, then climbs on foot across the plateau of Aonach Mòr and over to Aonach Beag.

The summit cairn sits close to the edge of a huge east-facing cliff, and the ground between the two Aonachs — although only around a mile — is largely pathless and can be genuinely difficult to navigate in poor visibility, with a serious drop to the east.

The full route from Glen Nevis is a long day of around 18 kilometres with significant ascent, typically seven to nine hours; the gondola-assisted route is considerably shorter, around 10 kilometres.

The plateau is vast, largely featureless, and highly exposed — full navigation skills are essential in mist, and a large cornice can build above the eastern cliffs in winter, close to where walkers stand at the summit.

Parking is free at the Glen Nevis road end; the Nevis Range gondola station has a charge for both parking and the cable car.