Ben More
966 m
United Kingdom
Also known as Ben More (Mull), Beinn MhòrAlso known as
Ben More (Mull) · Beinn Mhòr
- Elevation
- 966 m
- Prominence
- 966 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- May–Jun
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2The standard and easiest way up Mull's only Munro: from the shore of Loch na Keal at Dhiseig, up beside the Abhainn Dhiseig and its waterfalls, then a stony, eroded path zigzagging up scree onto the north-west ridge and along it to the summit shelter. 9.25 km return, 945 m of ascent from sea level, 5–6.5 hours. No scrambling.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 4.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +962 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 967 m
- Time Up
- 3h 47m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 31m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
Park on the grass on the shore side of the B8035 opposite the track to Dhiseig, west of Knock (grid reference NM494359). Walk up the track, keep straight on past the house onto a footpath and go through a gate, then follow the Abhainn Dhiseig as it tumbles down a small gorge. At a fence bear left to a gate; two worn lines converge higher up, the one by the stream being less boggy. Ignore the branch towards An Gearna, pass the stone piles of ruined buildings and cross the stream at an easy spot. Above a series of waterfalls the path becomes increasingly stony and eroded. As the ridge becomes defined, small cairns mark the route, which climbs scree in short zigzags until the gradient eases on the summit ridge. Follow the ridge south-east to the large summit shelter and the stumps of the old trig point; the A' Chioch ridge comes into view on the left. Descend the same way. The lower slopes are boggy (Walkhighlands rates the route 4/5 for bog). In mist, take care with the compass: magnetic rock near the summit can deflect the needle.
Start
Dhiseig3 m
- None to the start. CalMac ferries run from Oban to Craignure and from Lochaline to Fishnish; Dhiseig is about 30 km from Craignure by road.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhiseig → Ben More | 4.7 | 962 | 0 | 3h 47m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Dhiseig3 m
Grass parking on the shore side of the road; grid reference NM494359
- Summit: Ben More966 m
Key Passages
- Abhainn Dhiseig waterfalls and stream crossing
- Stony zigzags up the scree onto the north-west ridge
Equipment
0/4 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest point of Mull (966 m) and the only Munro on a Scottish island other than Skye: a rocky remnant of a 60-million-year-old volcano rising straight from Loch na Keal, climbed from sea level on a rough path, or by the scrambling A' Chioch ridge.
Ben More (Beinn Mhòr, 'great mountain') stands near the centre of the Isle of Mull above the south shore of Loch na Keal. It is the eroded core of a volcano that was active around 60 million years ago, in the same period that produced the basalt columns of Staffa and Ulva. As an island high point its prominence equals its height.
Every ascent starts near sea level. The usual route climbs beside the Abhainn Dhiseig and up the stony north-west ridge: 945 m of ascent and 5–6.5 hours, with no scrambling but boggy lower slopes and loose upper ground. The A' Chioch ridge to the east is one of the finest easy scrambles in the Hebrides, ending with a steep, loose climb to the summit.
On a clear day the summit view takes in the Sound of Mull, Ulva, Staffa, the Ross of Mull and Iona, and mainland summits such as Ben Cruachan. The summit has a large circular stone shelter. Magnetic rock near the top can upset compasses.
Climbing Notes
The Dhiseig route suits any fit hillwalker with good boots and waterproofs: allow 5–6.5 hours and expect bog low down and scree high up. In mist, rely on GPS or check compass bearings away from the summit rocks, which can be magnetic. The A' Chioch ridge (8–9 hours with Beinn Fhada) needs a head for heights and confidence on exposed easy scrambling and very loose ground; it is better climbed than descended. In winter the mountain often carries snow above about 600 m: take an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them. Plan around the ferry timetable from Oban, and in the stalking season (mainly early September to 20 October, not Sundays) keep to the main ridges or check with the estates.
History
The mountain is the remnant of a volcano active around 60 million years ago; the lava flows of this period, rich in silica, also built Staffa and the columns of The Castles on Ulva. A circular stone shelter and the stumps of a trig point mark the summit.
Season
Best May–Jun- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Good
- May: Best (best window)
- June: Best (best window)
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Good
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter conditions possible; short days; ice axe and crampons when snow-covered
- Feb
- Winter conditions possible
- Mar
- Snow possible on the upper mountain
- Apr
- Lengthening days; late snow on the summit ridge some years
- May
- Long days, usually before the worst of the midges
- Jun
- Long days; midges low down
- Jul
- Midges and wetter weather
- Aug
- Midges; stalking may begin on the Benmore Estate
- Sep
- Deer stalking (not Sundays): keep to the main ridges or check with the estates
- Oct
- Stalking until 20 October; shorter days
- Nov
- Short days; early winter conditions
- Dec
- Short days; winter conditions possible
Access & Permits
- Rules
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code applies
- Deer stalking on the Ardmeanach, Benmore and Rossal & Ardvergnish estates, mainly from early September to 20 October (Benmore Estate from August); never on Sundays. Routes following the main ridges are always fine; phone 01680 300229 (Benmore), 01681 705229 (Ardmeanach) or 01681 704252 (Rossal & Ardvergnish) for dates
- Getting There
Salen (Isle of Mull); Tobermory for more services
Glasgow Airport (GLA)
- Ferry: CalMac from Oban to Craignure, or Lochaline to Fishnish
- Car: from Craignure via Salen and the B8035 along Loch na Keal to the parking opposite the Dhiseig track, west of Knock
- Public transport: none to the start
Hazards
- Weather
- Exposure
- Rockfall