Fells/Am Bodach
Scotland

Am Bodach

942M
3090FT
Rank
43rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Nearest Town
Kinlochleven

About Am Bodach

Situated in the heart of the Mamores, this rugged Munro offers a central vantage point over the Ring of Steall. The ascent from Kinlochleven is steep and relentless, but the reward is a rocky, narrow summit ridge with commanding views across the Nevis Range and down to the sea at Loch Leven.

Key Statistics

Rank
43rd Highest in Region
Parent Range
The Grampians
Nearest Town
Kinlochleven
Prominence
?
74.5m
Geology
You are walking over ancient layers of volcanic lava and rocky debris. These formations are pierced by narrow veins of cooled magma that hardened deep underground.

Did You Know?

  • The name is Scottish Gaelic for 'The Old Man'. In Highland folklore, peaks named 'Am Bodach' are often associated with local legends of guardian spirits or paired with nearby 'Cailleach' (Old Woman) peaks, though here it stands as a solitary figure overlooking the Glen Nevis gorge.
  • It serves as a pivotal point on the Ring of Steall, one of Scotland’s most celebrated high-level ridge walks. Reaching the summit usually involves a steep climb from the stalkers' path out of Kinlochleven or a technical traverse from the neighbouring Sgùrr an Iubhair.
  • The summit provides one of the best perspectives in the Highlands for gauging the scale of Ben Nevis; you look directly across the glen at the mountain's massive southern flanks and the entire length of the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête.
  • The mountain is largely composed of quartzite and schist, which gives the upper slopes a pale, shattered appearance. This terrain makes the final approach feel particularly alpine, with the path weaving through light-coloured scree and small rocky outcrops.
  • Despite being named 'The Old Man,' the relentless 900-metre climb from sea level at Kinlochleven is likely to make even the fittest walker feel twice their actual age by the time they reach the summit cairn.

Find It

OS Grid Reference
NN168580
Latitude
56.6779°N
Longitude
4.9915°W

Explore Further

Scotland Guide
Editorial guide for this region
TrailTrack map showing the location of Am Bodach
TrailTrack location
NN168580

Have you walked this?

Log it now to add it to your Summit Log.

You need an account before you can track your trails.

Create AccountAlready have an account? Log In
TrailTrack terrain preview for Am Bodach

3D Flyover

Load the interactive 3D terrain only when you want to explore Am Bodach.

Feed
My Trails
Explore
Map