The Ring of Steall (Very Hard)

The Ring of Steall is one of the greatest, most exciting, and most exposed ridge walks in the UK! Our plan is to follow the WalkHighlands route in the reverse direction. We will climb steeply up into the Mamore mountains, and spend the day traversing along a roller-coaster of four Munros, several Munro tops, knife-edge ridges and exhilarating scrambles. The highlight of the day comes as we cross the Devil’s Ridge, the crux of the route and a wild and airy scramble. We complete the circuit by descending back down into Glen Nevis by the spectacular Steall Falls (which Harry Potter fans will recognise as the dramatic backdrop to several scenes from the films) and cross the famous wire cable bridge over the roaring Water of Nevis to complete our loop.

10 miles (16 km) with 1676m of ascent

We plan to set off at 08.30 from the car park at the end of Glen Nevis. As parking is quite limited there, it would be a good idea to car share, particularly if a number of members are staying nearby overnight in or around Fort William. Grid Ref of the car park is: NN168691.

Please note that this is a long day in the hills with 5500 feet of ascent, so a good level of fitness is required (for comparison, the standard route on Ben Nevis is around 4400 feet of ascent). The route also has stretches of exposed Grade 1 scrambling. You should have a good head for heights – if you have done Striding Edge, or similar, you will be fine! If in doubt, message the event leader.
We also have another classic ridge traverse planned for Saturday 16th July - Ben Nevis via the CMD Arête- why not make a weekend of it and join us for both? If doing so, you should make your own accommodation arrangements. There are various accommodation options in and around Fort William, including Glen Nevis YH, Independent Hostels and AirBnbs.

What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres in a water bottle, or better still, a hydration bladder
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day Rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Waterproof bags: keep spare clothing, electronics and anything else dry even when your rucksack leaks by using Ziploc type food bags or, better still, outdoor activity waterproof bags
Boots: waterproof and breathable hiking boots with good ankle support. Trainers not allowed.
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters, and carry a spare, dry pair
Walking Poles: always optional, love them or hate them, but give them a try and decide for yourself
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain.
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Emergency equipment: the walk leader will bring any emergency equipment required for the group, but you are welcome to bring any that you have, such as additional high energy food, a survival bag, a whistle, a medical kit, a torch and something to make fire (either storm proof matches or a firelighter
Map and compass: the walk leader will have these, but if you like map reading or want to develop your skills, bring yours along
Mobile Phone: keep it in a waterproof bag for use in emergencies, and a spare battery/charger is a good idea

### Food & drink
You’ll need to bring lunch with you and snacks to keep your energy levels up. Don't forget to eat breakfast!! :)
Make sure you have plenty of water & fluids. A flask of something hot is always good on a cold day.
Good Mountain Foods
• Chocolate of course!
• Sunflower seeds
• Banana’s
• Nuts & dried fruit
• Energy bars (especially the ones with oats)

Meeting & times
Event start date and time
Saturday 16th July 08:30
Event end date and time
Saturday 16th July 18:30