Between the majesty of Glencoe and the grandeur of the Nevis range is a mountain group that is beloved by hillwalkers and first favourite with many. This is The Mamores. Towering, corrie-bitten peaks with long, narrow ridges and classic mountain architecture make these some of the finest in the Western Highlands, with no less than ten Munros in the range. Ancient stalkers paths provide easy access and with Kinlochleven to the south and Glen Nevis to the north, there are a plethora of route options to keep the Highland wanderer coming back time and time again. The hiking here is challenging but never nerve-shredding and in winter it is a high mountain arena with plenty of classic introductory climbs fit for burgeoning mountaineers. It is no wonder The Mamores are popular.

 

Of all the myriad of routes here, one comes with an extra special reputation. A route starts deep in the jaws of Glen Nevis and squeezes through the immense Nevis gorge before opening into a lush alpine meadow. At the far end, An Steall waterfall crashes down and a wire bridge crosses the river. The route then climbs onto An Gearanach, the first Munro, before traversing the exciting, narrow rocky spine of An Garbhanach. Two more Munros are climbed in Stob Corie a'Chairn and Am Bodach before the route makes its way towards the star performer. Leading to the mighty bulk of Sgurr a'Mhaim is The Devil's Ridge, a classic mountain arete that offers some fantastic, airy, grade one scrambling.

 

This sublime route is the Ring of Steall, one of the classic horseshoes on the British Isles. I would mention the incredible vistas that open up on the circuit but on the day of my traverse the cloud clung to the summits and higher ridges, making it a ghostly, atmospheric journey. I'll be back to The Mamores for the views another time, perhaps quite soon. After all, winter is coming...