📌 Carsaig, Isle of Mull
★★★
Mull’s southern coastline at Carsaig is nothing short of stunning. While most people head west from the pier to visit the better-known Carsaig Arches, the cliffs to the east are equally amazing. Gnarly old trees and lush ferns grow between basalt rock formations, unexpected waterfalls, contorted caves and stranded sea stacks, giving a wilderness feel which wouldn’t seem out of place in Jurassic Park. A walking time (for us) of over 5 hours for 7 miles tells you something about the terrain; an old coast path hugs the base of the cliffs on raised beaches, but certainly doesn’t guarantee swift passage. And you have to return the same way – unless you can leave a second car at Lochbuie, a couple of miles further on. On the plus side, once away from the start you’re more likely to see an eagle than another walker.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Carsaig Pier at the start 
The path begins promisingly… 
…but soon deteriorates with frequent boggy sections 
View back towards Carsaig 
Basalt cliffs east of Carsaig 
Cave & cliffs 
Waterfalls cascade down the cliffs 
Coastal scenery 
Raised beach 
Rock stack – the small cave has a bench inside 
Burn to ford – keeping feet dry could be tricky when in spate 
Wilderness feel 
View along the coast towards Glenbyre & Lochbuie 
Rocky shoreline 
Waterfall on the remote middle section 
A rope aids ascent off this tidal beach 
Eagle 
Good view of the Garvellachs (pictured) & Paps of Jura 
Pebble beach 
Rock stack 
Beach at Glenbyre… 
…but a final burn has to be crossed to reach the farmhouse 
Abandoned farmhouse at Glenbyre 
Sheep on the beach
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at minor road end, Carsaig Pier, Isle of Mull
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NM 545214
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.320663,-5.971609
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Car park – very rough, with risk of grounding for vehicles with low ground clearance
📝 Key info
▶ 11 km / 7 mi | ▲ 120 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr
Features: 🌊 Carsaig to Glenbyre coastline, waterfalls & caves
⬤ Tough | Path throughout is usually clear to follow but very rough and often boggy. Many boggy sections can however be bypassed on the rocky shore; stones and planks help with other sections. A couple of very short sections near the far end are just below the high tide mark. A rope helps with an easy scramble up a rock lip; a couple of burn crossings require a leap of faith or wet feet.
Download file for GPS➡️ Out-and-back walk: start & Carsaig Pier – Glenbyre farmhouse by coast path – return by outward route
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: At least one eagle soaring above the cliffs; sheep and lambs, tadpoles and tiny frogs.
Weather: Surprisingly dry and mostly sunny with fairly light winds, despite forecast!
July 2017
We intend to hike this route as the start of our hike through Glen More and Glen Forsa to Glenforsa in April of 2022. We completed Fionnfort to Carsaig in 2018.
Good luck with your 2022 trip, Neil!