Ben More via A' Chioch

Difficulty : HardDuration : 6.5 HrsDistance : 12.5 Km

Known as the most remote of all Scotland's Munro mountains Ben More and the mystical and truly unique Isle Of Mull are well worth the effort. The walk is not one for those who are bothered by height exposure but one for those who enjoy the adrenaline rush of scrambling up fine ridges with all-round breathtaking views. The walk starts at the sea level shores of Loch Na Keal and heads steadily up the valley of Gleann na Beinne Fada to the col between Beinn Fhada and A' Choich. The ridge scrambling then starts with the ascent of A' Choich and then drops down to the col of Ben More's north eastern ridge before ascending its rocky ridge crest to the huge 966M high summit. A gentle and slow ascent is then taken back down Ben More's easier north western side back down to the road at the shores of Loch Na Keal. It is a huge bulk of a mountain with an unbelievable 360 panoramic view across sea and mountains and this route up it is by far the most exciting. The Isle Of Mull is one of Britain's most beautiful and wildlife abundant places.

Full route description for this walk

The start of the walk is on the B8035 road at the shores of Loch Na Keal. On the map a car park symbol can be seen near the holiday cottage of Dhiseig, there isn't an actual car park here but small sections of leveled grass on the side of the road. Loch Na Keal is a great place for wildlife with sea birds including large Grey Herons and small animals like Otters and Stoats playing and hunting on the shoreline all day and night. The small island in the middle of the loch is known as Eorsa, this tiny unpopulated island is the fictional setting of Nigel Tranter's 1952 novel The Bridal Path, which was made into a motion picture 1959.

Ben More from Treshnish

Abhainn na h-Uamha views

From the starting point walk along the road in an easterly direction for just under a mile until you reach the small bridge that crosses the outflow of the Abhainn na h-Uamha. Turn right onto the grassy bank and follow the faint path that follows the Abhainn na h-Uamha up into the valley above. After ascending the grassy hill just under another mile you will reach the waterfalls from the platform of which you have a panoramic view over Loch Na Keal to the small island of Ulva. Ulva is a populated and accessible island with a resident population of just over a dozen. Its impressive geology, wildlife and untouched wild landscape make it an intruiging destination for those exploring Mull. It has a few famous past residents including Lachan Macquarrie, the founder of modern Australia and chief of the Clan Macquarrie.

Abhainn na h-Uamha falls

Abhainn na h-Uamha

Continue along the path from the waterfall that heads south east along the floor of the Gleann na Beinne Fada. Follow the line of the Abhainn na h-Uamha for a mile or so and then head up towards the obvious col between Beinn Fhada on the left and A' Chioch on the right. Once at the col you will see in front of you the drop to the remote valley of Glen Clachaig and the mountains of Cruachan Dearg and Corra Bheinn behind. Turn right and you will see the profile of the exciting route ahead, up the A' Chioch north ridge. The way ahead is now an exciting but serious scramble up the narrow ridge with no alternative side paths, it seems to narrow the higher you get and eventually tops out on a small summit which acts as a viewing platform for the huge bulk of the more impressive neighbour, Ben More.

Views over Loch Na Keal

Views behind Beinn Fhada

Follow the clear path down the easier south side of A' Chioch to the rocky and narrow col between A'Chioch and Ben More. The obstacle of Ben More's north east ridge seems to be very similar to A' Choich but is slightly easier due to an alternative yet also often unclear path that hugs its left side, I would advise this be used in bad weather. After scrambling up the rocky spine of Ben More you will soon reach the boulder strewn summit.

A'Chioch Ridge

A'Chioch Gully

The summit has a circular boulder shelter of sorts but no trig point which is no sad loss to be honest. Your experience of this lofty summit will of course be dependant on the weather conditions, but if like me your first time at this lofty summit is fortunately in near perfect conditions then the views sea bound and highland bound are quite simply awe-inspiring! The 360 panorama takes in the North Atlantic Ocean and includes Ben Nevis to the north east, the Skye Cullins to the north and the Paps Of Jura to the south.

Paps of Jura from Ben More

Ben More summit at sunset

After taking in the summit views head off the mountain in an absolute north west direction. This north western ridge has a much less dramatic profile and is an easy descent over stone and scree. Follow the ridge into the Coire nam Fuaran where a path develops heading downhill hugging the left hand side of the Abhainn Dhiseig. Follow the path on the left side until a point a mile on where the stream narrows, at this point a safe crossing should be made to the now clearer path on the right hand side of the stream. Follow this path down to the Dhiseig holiday cottage and down the track back to the starting point on the B8035 road at the shores of Loch Na Keal.