The Ring of Steall

Great Nevis Routes · Routebook · Home

The Ring of Steall was one of the walks I did on my first visit to the area, and it was a stunner done in fantastic weather. This is yet another walk involving an approach through the Glen Nevis Gorge, and this was the one and only time I have crossed the suspension bridge. It was quite a drop to the water below, and as the wires swayed and I worked my way across I decided it would be better to get wet feet on my way back than scare myself again!

My route was derived from a book of scrambles in Lochaber, and involved some very determined work to struggle up a very steep and wooded slope to the south of the JMC hut. A more usual approach is from Polldubh, up the NE ridge of Sgurr a'Mhaim, but this is a very long slog and the route I took was far more entertaining - not to mention 'entertaining'. Early on I had severe problems with my heels - I had blisters that had become infected. However I stopped, gave them a very good clean and put some tape on which sorted the problem for the day. Having got to the top of the steep bit I found myself in a side-corrie, and the route took a cunning route up a natural shelf at it's back to a ridge, which I followed right to the top.

The sun was out, no-one was around - it was time for a bit of topless sun-bathing. However some puffing alerted me to others reaching the top, so modesty was swiftly restored. I rested and chatted, and some years later found I had been chatting to someone who was then one of my parents neighbours! The world is a surprisingly small place....

The ridge down to Sgorr an Iubhair is known as the Devils Ridge, and apparetly can be quite tricky in winter. However on a warm sunny May day there were no problems, and I continued on round the circuit onto Am Bodach and Stob Coire a'Chairn. I found the last bit over An Garbhanach the most entertaining, and was careful to follow the prescribed route for my final descent into Glen Nevis. As I started down the steepest section a yellow rescue helicopter flew up the valley below me. I idly wondered if the B&B landlady had got worried about me, but happily that was not the case.

When I finally got back down to the valley I remembered the horrors of the wire bridge, and found a wide shallow spot to ford the river. Then it was back down through the glen to the car and back to have supper and put my feet up. This was one of the most splendid days I've ever had out on the hills. It was also the last serious walk on this trip, in part due to the blisters which took some time to finish healing, and in part due to it being nearly the end of my holiday.