Ben More and A' Chioch on Mull

Ferries to Isle of Mull run from Oban, Lochaline on the southern tip of Morven and Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, arriving at Craignure, Fishnish and Tobermory respectively.

Around halfway between Tobermory and Craignure is the village of Salen, where at the main road junction, 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 under the heights of Ben More, just east of the track leading to Dhiseig - this is the route end point, or the start of the direct there-and-back 'tourist route' to Ben More.

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.

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.

From the grassy col, the route turns south and climbs steadily on grass. The terrain gradually becomes rockier and looser with height, though in summer conditions there are no real difficulties. A faint path can be followed all the way to the summit of A’ Chioch , marked by a small cairn.

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.

The summit is reached at a well-built cairn set within a stone circle. As the only Munro on Mull, Ben More commands extensive views in all directions across the Inner Hebrides and beyond.

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.

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.