Ben More and A' Chioch on Mull

By Dhiseig, looking up to Ben More

Ferries to Isle of Mull run from Oban, Lochaline and Ardnamurchan, arriving at Craignure, Fishnish or Tobermory.

At the junction in the village, the B8035 is taken south-west for around 12km. This is a narrow single-track road with passing places.

A small parking area is reached by the shore, just east of the track leading to Dhiseig.

Waterfalls on the Abhainn na h-Uamha in Gleann na Beinne Fada

The route begins around 2km north-east of Dhiseig, by a bridge over the Abhainn na h-Uamha near a small white building.

Two options give access to the ridge:

• For a more direct line to Beinn Fhada, faint ATV tracks are followed south-east from the northern side of the bridge. These lead onto grassy slopes - turning more eastwards - where some scree is encountered and a few crags are avoided to gain Beinn Fhada’s north-west spur. Once on the crest, an obvious path is followed south-east to Beinn Fhada's summit , with some boulders underfoot and a small lochan passed below the final pull, but no real difficulties.
  
  
  

  On A' Chioch

  From the summit, the route turns south-west, descending over further scree and boulders to reach the grassy col between Beinn Fhada and A' Chioch.


• Alternatively, to aim directly for the col, worn paths are followed on either side of the Abhainn na h-Uamha into Gleann na Beinne Fada. Attractive waterfalls , are passed en route, and the burn is crossed higher up without difficulty. From the col , a short there-and-back detour can be made to Beinn Fhada if desired.

On A' Chioch

Just above the col, heading up Ben More

From A' Chioch, the route continues west along a narrowing crest. The terrain becomes rougher and more bouldery, but a clear path descends to the grassy col below Ben More.

Passing an interesting little notch, the ascent of Ben More follows its east shoulder. A path weaves upwards with sections of easy scrambling, becoming more sustained higher up but never technically difficult. The line generally keeps just left of the crest.

Heading up Ben More's eastern ridge, looking back over A' Chioch

Heading up Ben More's eastern ridge, looking back over A' Chioch

Looking along the north-western shoulder

The 'tourist route' is the easiest and most commonly used descent, following a clear and straightforward line. The north-west shoulder is a rougher alternative, with little in the way of paths.

• Tourist route - An obvious path descends westwards through scree before easing onto grassy slopes. Lower down the Abhainn Dhiseig is crossed , and the route then continues past waterfalls before skirting around Dhiseig and returning to the road around 1.5km from the start.





Descending the 'tourist route'

• North-west shoulder - From the summit, the north-west ridge is followed, keeping above the edge of Ben More's northern coire. The descent is initially steep and bouldery, becoming increasingly rough underfoot, with little in the way of a defined path. Lower down, the terrain eases onto grassier ground. A large cairn on An Gearna provides a fine viewpoint, from where a faint path leads across occasionally wet ground to rejoin the 'tourist route' to follow down to the roadside.

Descending the 'tourist route'