The Aonach Eagach Ridge: Why It Should Not Be Underestimated

The Aonach Eagach Ridge is one of the most dramatic and talked-about ridge hikes in Scotland. With a knife-edge route over pinnacles and chimneys, and no easy way to back out once you get to a certain level, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a thrilling challenge with jaw-dropping views, but it should not be attempted on a whim. 

However, it can be hard to gauge just how dangerous and difficult the Aonach Eagach Ridge walk is. Its reputation tends to go before it, and if you search online or ask around mountain walking communities, you are probably going to get a different opinion from everybody. 

One of the best ways to get a realistic picture of what’s involved is to have a chat with a local mountain guide, who will have experience of taking people of varying skill and ability levels over the ridge. They will also understand how the challenge changes over the year in different weather conditions. 

Understanding the risks

Some people may underestimate the risks involved in taking on the Aonach Eagach Ridge, because it’s officially rated as a Grade 2 scramble, rather than a climbing route. However, some of the scrambling sections involve very physically demanding upward and downward manoeuvres with sheer drops on each side.

Therefore it’s essential to have some previous experience of scrambling (using your hands and feet to navigate steep rocky terrain). It’s technically possible to traverse the ridge without the aid of ropes and harnesses, but even many experienced scramblers prefer to use safety equipment on the steepest sections where a fall could be fatal. 

Being mentally and physically prepared

Although the ridge is only about six miles long, the scrambling is intense and sustained, and once you’ve committed, there’s no point of safe return. Therefore you need to have a reasonably good level of physical fitness, with sufficient strength, stamina and flexibility to take on the route. 

The challenge is also a mental one: you will certainly need to have a good head for heights and the resilience to make it through the trickiest stages. If you are taking on the route without a guide, you’ll need to remain vigilant at all times to navigate, and continually assess the best foot placements and handholds to use. 

Exposure and weather conditions

The weather conditions are the real game-changer on the Aonach Eagach ridge: no matter how confident and experienced you are, it is extremely dangerous to attempt the ridge in very wet, windy or icy conditions, or on days with poor visibility. The majority of the route is very exposed with highly dangerous sheer drops to either side.

The rocks can become very slippery when they are wet, and at the high altitude even a moderate wind can feel very strong and add to the danger. Therefore you should follow the weather forecast carefully, and only attempt the traverse on a calm dry day with good visibility. Allow yourself plenty of time to safely get off the ridge in daylight.