The Devil's Staircase

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The Highlands have many tracks which used to be normal routes from one place to another. One such is the Devils Staircase, which provided a short route from Kinlochleven to the road south over Rannoch Moor. It is another of the old military roads, and is now part of the West Highland way. The steepest section is a series of zigzags hence the modern name, though some walkers take short cuts which lead to serious erosion problems when it rains - which is often! There are stories of the Kinlochleven aluminium smelter construction workers using this path to go drinking at the Kingshouse, and of some dying on their way back when it was dark and cold and they were drunk.

Park at Altnafeadh (GR 221563) and take the track leading north by the small patch of forest. After about 1½ kilometres you will come to the Staircase itself. Please resist the temptation to cut the corners, and instead appreciate the skill of the men who originally built the road. This section is fairly short and you will soon be at the summit of the pass. From here I usually walked up the left side to Stob Mhic Mhartuin (706m, GR 208576). I have been here several times as I used to stop here on my way home for a last walk. The time I remember most was misty. As I sat facing south I was thinking that this was the sort of conditions where a Brocken Spectre might be seen. I turned around - and there mine was!

You can walk along the ridge as far as the Pap of Glencoe if you have the inclination, but I used to spend time sitting admiring the view to the high mountains to the south. Once away from the Staircase I found this to be a splendid deserted place where I could forget the rest of the world.