Na Gruagaichean

Na Gruagaichean, at 1,056 metres, is a fine peak on the main ridge of the Mamores with excellent views down over Kinlochleven, its summit actually a pair of tops separated by a steep little bealach.

Almost all walkers reach this summit from neighbouring Binnein Mòr, following the ridge as it narrows south-west — grassy at first, then shattered rock — down to a bealach before a modest reascent, initially grassy and becoming increasingly rocky, to the summit cairn, without any real technical difficulties despite the rougher terrain. The best part of the view is to the north-west, where the main Mamores ridge drops steeply and reascends even more dramatically to Na Gruagaichean's own north-west top, with Ben Nevis providing a spectacular backdrop.

The straightforward return follows the easier south ridge, sweeping down over the minor cairned top of Leachd na h-Aire with fine views down Loch Leven, before pathless but generally manageable grassy slopes lead down to rejoin the vehicle track towards Mamore Lodge and back into Kinlochleven — though several regular visitors report this final descent as notably tiring, boggy, and steep in stretches, with no clear path for long sections.

The route could be extended to take in further Mamores summits, Stob Coire a' Chàirn and Am Bodach, while still returning to Kinlochleven — the classic epic challenge for exceptionally fit walkers is a full traverse of the entire Mamores ridge, eight Munros on or close to the main spine plus two eastern outliers, in a single very long day.

Combined with Binnein Mòr, the round trip from Kinlochleven is typically eight to nine hours.

The rocky final approach to the summit and the boulder-strewn bealach both demand care, and route-finding here could be genuinely tricky in poor visibility — the unrelenting, pathless descent back to Kinlochleven should not be underestimated on tired legs at the end of a long day.

Parking at Kinlochleven is free; buses serve the village from Fort William and Glencoe.