📌 Gruline, Isle of Mull
★★★★
Ben More is the highest peak on the Isle of Mull – and what a peak! Sharp ridges separate at least three great coires, with a scree-girt summit standing proud in the middle of it all. One easier side (to the west) provides a popular “tourist route” to the top, but misses out on the most dramatic profiles of the hill. Instead, experienced walkers can approach by this eventful ridge route taking in Beinn Fhada and A’ Chìoch on the intimidating north side of Ben More, saving the other path for the descent. Route finding higher up requires care, but stick to the easiest line and any scrambling is simpler than it looks from Beinn Fhada, at least if the ground is dry. Views are fantastic in clear weather, with the only downsides being the road walk to start (or end) the day and an energy-sapping initial ascent.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Start by following the scenic coast road 
Lower slopes of Beinn Fhada (right) from the coast road 
Views from the coast road 
Head of Loch na Keal from the ascent of Beinn Fhada 
Beinn a’ Ghraig from Beinn Fhada’s ridge 
View along the ridge to Beinn Fhada 
Looking back along Beinn Fhada’s northwest ridge 
Ben More from Beinn Fhada’s northwest ridge 
Beinn Fhada summit 
Mull’s interior from Beinn Fhada 
Glen Clachaig 
A’ Chìoch ridge 
Looking back from A’ Chìoch 
Golden eagle above the ridge 
Ridge to Ben More from A’ Chìoch 
Looking back to the descent off A’ Chìoch 
Final ascent to Ben More – easier than it looks 
Ben More summit 
Summit views (just!) 
Start of the descent from Ben More 
Approaching the Abhainn Dhiseig 
Fainter, wetter paths lower down
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on B8035 at Dhiseig, Isle of Mull
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NM 494360
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.449092,-6.067516
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Verge parking – or various spots along road to east, during first 2 mi of walk route
📝 Key info
▶ 15 km / 9 mi | ▲ 1260 m | ⌛ 7.5-8.5 hr
Features: △ Beinn Fhada (702 m, “Torbett”); △ A’ Chìoch (867 m); △ Ben More (966 m, Munro)
⬤ Tough | 2 mi of road walking at start. Intermittent, rough paths to & beyond Beinn Fhada with some awkward / wet ground but also easy ridge walking. Clear paths with some easy scrambling over A’ Chìoch. Path braids on ascent of Ben More; scrambling is easy on the easiest line – often just to the left of the crest. Wide, clear path for descent, though fainter and wetter as it braids low down.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – leave road at Scarisdale River – foot of Beinn Fhada northwest ridge – Beinn Fhada – A’ Chìoch – Ben More – Abhainn Dhiseig – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Seals and cows on coastal road section, sheep and lambs throughout. A golden eagle, a mouse and some midges on A’ Chìoch.
Weather: Dry and mostly sunny lower down with light winds, but a little hill fog. Temperature in high teens at the base; single figures on the summit.
July 2017
