Bidean Nam Bian is a group of mountains located on the southern edge of the iconic pass of Glencoe. The massif consists of several mountains and high peaks, two of them classified as a ‘Munro’. Despite being located in spot of legendary beauty and along one of Scottish most famous road stretches, Bidean Nam Bian isn’t as popular a hiking destination as the iconic Buachaille Etive Mor or its lower sibling Buachaille Etive Beag, and that’s for a couple of reasons.
First, the high peaks of the Bidean Nam Bian group present a great challenge to climb and some areas can be snow-covered by most of the year; secondly, to venture on a hike to Bidean Nam Bian and to tackle its tops is a long and hard day out, such hike can only be completed by experienced walkers and in good shape. The route, complex terrain and great altitude gain make a hike to Bidean Nam Bian a 9-11 hours challenge! Therefore the demanding hike is most often undertaken by local walkers who regard climbing the ‘Bidean’ as kind of rite of passage, having completed the two ‘Buachailles’ first.
By no means we’re discouraging you from exploring Bidean Nam Bian peaks, however to tackle such route and to enjoy a fine walking experience in area of exceptional beauty one has to be prepared and anticipate potential issues and hardship. Along the route we’re recommending in this blog post you’ll climb 3 main peaks of the massif; these are: Stob Coire Nan Lochan, Bidean Nam Bian, Stob Coire Sgreamhach, all three over 1000 metres high!
In this article we’re sharing a guide to climbing the high peaks of Bidean Nam Bian massif, with a detailed route and potentially troublesome sections explained. Follow our footsteps to enjoy an amazing day hiking to the highest peaks of Glencoe area, that will take your breath away with views and scenery along the way.
Take this opportunity to prepare yourselves for what’s awaiting you along the trail and how to complete the hike safely!
Bidean Nam Bian- hike to the highest peaks of Glencoe
- Height: Stob Coire Nan Lochan 1115 masl, Bidean Nam Bian 1150 masl, Stob Coire Sgreamhach 1072 masl
- Total time: 9-11 hours in summer conditions
- Total distance: 12 km
- Parking: Three Sisters car park along A82, alternatively: car park 300 metres further along A82
- Level of difficulty: 4/5 long and demanding hill walk with scrambling involved, over complex terrain, very steep sections, but straightforward navigation (summer)
- Bidean Nam Bian weather: weather forecast for Bidean Nam Bian
- Which map: Ordnance Survey Explorer 384 Glencoe
How to get to Bidean Nam Bian trailhead
The easiest way to get to Bidean Nam Bian is driving, however the trailhead can also be accessed by public transport from Fort William (nearest town).
Take Scottish CityLink bus number 914, 915 or 915 from Fort William Bus Station, remember to ask the driver to let you out near the Three Sisters car park.
Those of you that decide to drive to Glencoe to conquer Bidean Nam Bian will be pleased to know that the two car parks to be used for the hike are relatively large. Indeed, the Three Sisters car park is extremely busy during the day with tourists stopping for a photo of the incredibly beautiful mountains of Glencoe, but to attempt the hike you should arrive early in the morning, before the main tourist ‘road trip traffic’ reaches Glencoe.
Where to park for Bidean Nam Bian
Two car parks are especially handy for hiking to Bidean Nam Bian, the main one –Three Sisters car park is quite large (but please refrain from parking on a nearby helipad, as it is used in case of emergencies), alternatively you can park on the Hidden Valley car park some 300 metres further along the road, as the mountain trail connects to both locations.
Hiking trail to Bidean Nam Bian
To make the route easier to follow we divided the hike to Bidean Nam Bian into 4 stages. Each stage covers different terrain and faces its own challenges. You can trust our directions and advice with confidence as all information and recommendations are based on our own experience!
Stage 1, hike from car park to Coire Nan Lochan
Despite hiking over complex terrain you’ll be pleased to know that most of the route we describe in this article follows paths and trails, with only a short section of pathless ground (pathless but straight forward)
Let’s start then. Having arrived to one of the car parks you’ll face the magnificent peaks that make Bidean Nam Bian massif, the view will be very similar to the photo above. For now you can disregard the craggy cones at the glen edge, but shift your focus a bit further, to a top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan -its wall visible farther, at the end of a narrow glen you’ll be hiking thru, and your first destination along the hike.
Initially, having left the car park, the trail gently descents, crosses river Coe over wooden bridge only to finally start climbing along the slopes of Gear Aonach (look at the photo above and you’ll see a path climbing at the right side of the hill in shade). Although the path follows grassy slopes of Gear Aonach at first, soon you’ll discover that it actually tends to stick to the stream and follows is closely while traversing to the higher end of a narrow glen.
It’s perfectly safe to drink water from the stream, so you’re welcome to refill your bottles to ensure you have enough drink for the remaining part of the hike! Cold mountain stream is also a great opportunity to refresh or cool yourself.
Keep to the same path and soon you’ll come to a coire, a bowl-shaped end of the narrow glen. You’ll be amazed to discover that the glen opens at the higher ground and the coire is very spacious as it homes several small lochans.
Well done, you have completed Stage 1!
Stage 2, hike from Coire Nan Lochan to the top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan and farther to Bidean Nam Bian
Some guides mention that the hike from Coire Nan Lochan should be continued to the right, and climb to the higher grounds at the far side of Pinnacle Buttress, however we propose another, shorter route. We tested the route during our outing to Bidean Nam Bian and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t follow our footsteps 🙂
We suggest that standing at Coire Nan Lochan (and seeing exactly the same view as photo above) you should continue to the left, up a grassy slope to the ridge and then follow the ridge (again, as photographed above) to the top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan. The short climb over grassy slope (as pictured) is the only pathless section of the route, and easily manageable! The ridge, however, offers a good path and is very easy to follow.
During our hike to Bidean Nam Bian we picked this route rather than the longer way around Pinnacle Buttress; based on the detailed Ordnance Survey map we came to conclusion that the ‘left’ route is shorter and perfectly manageable. Hiking along the ridge to the top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan was easy and even shorter than we anticipated, we conquered the top without difficulty! We hardly even used our hands while climbing to the top, the scrambling was only brief (and easy)
Top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan is covered by mid-size scree and a good viewpoint, especially to its higher sibling ‘Bidean’ as well as to the mighty Aonach Eagach ridge on the other side of Pass of Glencoe.
Standing on the top of Stob Coire Nan Lochan you can feel very proud of your achievement! You’re only a few steps away from the mighty Bidean Nam Bian, and further climb is quite easy. Simply follow the well visible path from Stob Coire Nan Lochan to the dip between the two tops and in no time you’ll be on your way up Bidean Nam Bian (middle photo above)
Final leg of the trail to the summit of Bidean Nam Bian is neither hard, nor particularly steep. When you reach the top of ‘Bidean’ you’ll probably think ‘what?? already??’
Make sure to take a break at the summit, enjoy the view to majestic Glencoe mountains. You’ve just climbed the highest one in the area; it does feel fantastic, doesn’t it?
Stage 3, hike from Bidean Nam Bian to Stop Coire Sgreamhach
Well done again, but you shouldn’t pat yourself on the back just yet, as the way down is long! To ensure you’ll have a chance to admire the ‘crown of Glencoe’ (the highest and most majestic peaks in the area) we recommend to continue the hike and climb yet another peak! But before you head further, take a look at the stunning Glen Etive at the other side of Bidean Nam Bian, an amazing fairy-tale glen known for its beauty and a population of ever hungry roe deer.
Once you’re rested and satisfied with the views start a long descent from Bidean Nam Bian. The path will take you towards the third peak we recommend to climb along the way- Stob Coire Sgreamhach. Although climbing this Munro is optional, we can’t encourage you enough to include it in your Bidean Nam Bian itinerary!
But before you conquer Stob Coire Sgreamhach you’ll have endless chances to admire the beauty of Glencoe mountains and Glen Etive as you descent along the gentle path from ‘Bidean’. When you reach the lowest point along the ridge, just before the trail rises again to take you to Stob Coire Sgreamhach pay attention to an eroded gully on the northern side of the saddle (Bealach Dearg) as this will be your way down.
The climb to Stob Coire Sgreamhach is rather brief, 15-20 mins at most and well worth the effort. Not only you’ll be able to tick off another stunning mountaintop of the list and add another Munro to your achievements, but you’ll finally see Biden Nam Bian and Stob Ciure Nan Lochan in their full glory, from the distance. Incredible that you’ve just climbed these giants!
Stage 4, hike from Stob Coire Sgreamhach via Lost Valley to the car park
From the top of Stob Coire Sgreamhach retrace your steps to the saddle below and focus on the steep sandy gully you’ve already seen. This is your way down.
As impossible as is seems when looking from afar, indeed this is the best way down, beside being steep it’s totally manageable. Just mind your step; take small, stable steps and the steepest section of the route will pass quite quickly.
Then, you will finally realise the view before your eyes, the iconic Lost Valley. Looking at the photo you’ll struggle to comprehend how it’s even possible to descent such a steep section, I mean, it looks almost vertical! Indeed, this section is very steep, however it doesn’t present much difficulty nor danger to a careful walker (believe me, ‘I’ve been there & done that’)
As soon as you get to the lower ground you’ll enjoy a near-flat path that soon arrives at the sandy end of the Lost Valley and a woodland.
Despite a path present, finding your way thru woodland and its boulders can be tricky, but a trained eye will pick the trodden vegetation and polished stones. The woodland is the last section before coming to the spacious Pass of Glencoe and final walk to the car park.
I admit, I was completely knackered when we finally emerged from the trees and I saw the car park in the distance. Hike to Bidean Nam Bian was one of the hardest I completed in Scotland, one that I will remember forever!
In fact I would love to retake it in near future!
Bidean Nam Bian hiking map
Camping at Bidean Nam Bian, and nearby accommodation
As you can probably imagine from the description of the terrain along the route to Bidean Nam Bian, there aren’t many ideal spots for camping along the trail. In fact you’d find it easy to pitch the tent in Coire Nan Lochan, and possibly find an odd suitable spot on the descent from Bidean Nam Bian and in Lost Valley. Due to the terrain and amount of rock/scree the mountain tops are not perfect overnight spots.
We discourage you from wild camping at lower ground, in Pass of Glencoe. The dedicated car parks are incredibly busy from sunrise to evening, hence, please refrain from parking a campervan or staying in a camper at Glencoe car parks along the road A82.
If you’re not keen to drive home after a 10 hour hike you may want to consider booking cosy accommodation in Glencoe village or Ballachullish, less than 5 miles away.
We especially recommend staying at iconic Clachaig Inn, lodge and hostel -very popular with Scottish walkers.
The walkers’ tradition is to end any hike in Glencoe in Clachaig Inn hikers pub (recommended for local beers and ales, and good hearty food!), a perfect place to finish your hiking day!
Other accommodation near Glencoe (our top picks and previous stays):
| Accommodation | Rating | Comment |
| Ballachullish Hotel | 7.8 /10 | clean, comfortable, great food! Loch view! |
| Loch Leven Hotel and Distillery | 8.1 /10 | a chance to visit a local distillery during your stay! |
| Isles of Glencoe Hotel | 8.6 /10 | located just over Loch Leven |
| Beech Chalet | new! | mountain views, live fire! |
Best time to climb Bidean Nam Bian
The best time of the year to climb Bidean Nam Bian is late spring to early autumn. Mind you, at the beginning of the season you may still come across some snow patches and cornices at the high ridges hence winter gear (crampons an ice axe) and the knowledge/experience of using them is required.
In early autumn the days are still long enough to complete such a long hike in daylight, however we recommend taking a good head torch, should you be delayed or slowed down for some reason.
The absolute best time to climb Bidean Nam Bian is summer, however even in July and August you should expect sudden dramatic weather changes and the highest sections of the route can become rather chilly (prepare for wind, rain and low temperatures), ensure to gear yourself with warm clothing.
What we loved about hiking to Bidean Nam Bian
To cut the long story short we loved the challenge, the scenery and a fine hiking experience! If you’d prefer to hear the ‘long story’ refer back to the text above, hopefully we managed to pass the enthusiasm and passion for Glencoe mountains in every sentence! Hike to Bidean Nam Bian is long, hard and very psychically demanding, but the reward is much greater than the effort. It’s a great achievement to complete such route! One that you should not ignore if you’re psychically capable!
*Level of difficulty explained: 1– easy walk, mostly flat 2-easy hillwalk, good path 3-moderate, possible some steep sections 4-long hillwalk, possibly some scrambling involved, possibly pathless 5-difficult, possibly pathless, long, requires technical skills
