Walk: Northern Iona – closer to heaven

📌 Baile Mòr, Isle of Iona
★★★

Iona is sometimes described as a “thin place”: where the distance between heaven and earth suddenly seems much less. If that’s true, then perhaps the island’s high point at Dùn I (fort of Iona) is the closest to paradise you can get, with wonderful views across the entire island, Mull, Staffa and the Treshnish Isles from the windswept summit, free from the crowds which can interrupt the tranquility of the abbey below. Continue to the island’s pristine northern beaches and you might think you’ve been transported to the Caribbean instead, especially if you happen to catch the white sands at low tide.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at main jetty, Baile Mòr, Isle of Iona

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NM 287240

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.330323,-6.392162

🚢 Frequent ferry from Fionnphort, Isle of Mull (which has infrequent onward bus connection)

🚗 Street parking (some with charge) in Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, then take ferry

📝 Key info

▶ 7 km / 4 mi | ▲ 140 m | ⌛ 2-2.5 hr

Features: 🏠 Baile Mòr; ⛪ Iona religious sites ★★★★; 🏛️ Iona Heritage Centre ★★; △ Dùn I (101 m); 🏖️ Traigh an t-Suidhe ★★★

⬤⬤ Easy to Moderate | Mostly tarmac road (very few cars), track & sandy path to beaches. Ascent to Dùn I is on a steep, grassy path – could be omitted to reduce grade to ⬤ Easy.

➡️ Out-and-back route with detour to Dùn I: start & Baile Mòr – Iona religious sites & Heritage Centre – Auchabhaich – Dùn I – return to Auchabhaich – Tràigh an t-Suidhe – return by outward route, omitting Dùn I (minor variant possible near finish)

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Cows and sheep; small fish, limpets and anemones in the beach rock pools.

Weather: Very changeable with sunshine and heavy showers after early rain. Windy.

July 2017

Traigh an t-Suidhe (Iona) ★★★