Get Lost Mountaineering

Ben More via Tourist Path from Dhiseig

Start/Finish

Rough grass verge parking on B8035 near start of track to Dhiseig. There is a bridge over the Abhainn Dhiseig next to the start of the track which is about 4 miles south of Gruline at NM 494 359. There is a large sign saying “Ben More Footpath” a little way up the track.

Distance/Time

9 km.     About 6 hours.

Peaks

Ben More, 966 m, NM 525 330.     OS sheet 48: Iona, Ulva & West Mull.

Introduction

Ben More is the highest mountain on Mull and the only island Munro outside of Skye. Many choose it as their final Munro. On a clear day, it, obviously, offers excellent views including to some mainland hills which means it can also be seen from some mainland hills. This route ascends and descends by the so called Tourist Path which is the easiest way to the summit. It is wise to check the state of the stream before setting off as it can be difficult to cross if in spate.

Route

(1) Walk up the track, leaving it just before Dhiseig. Follow the grassy path up by the side of the Abhainn Dhiseig to reach a waterfall. Continue on the side of the stream which has to be crossed further up. If the stream is in spate then ascend from the road, through the gate, on its other side. This is mainly pathless but the ground is good. Higher up there is a short tributary gorge which can easily be detoured around. Further up still, the main path on the other bank crosses over. Soon after, the path starts to climb. It can be muddy to start with but soon becomes more stony and is easily ascended. After a long ascent, nowhere really steep, on a path which is usually very obvious with many cairns, the path reaches the summit crest of Ben More and passes a medium cairn which some mistake for the summit in thick mist. The actual summit is a little further. Continue along the crest to reach a very large, round shelter cairn with a medium cairn inside. This is Ben More, 966 m. Note that there is no trig point despite being shown on some maps.

(2) Retrace to the medium cairn then follow the tourist path back down the NW flank.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 10^th April, 1994. Ben More was ascended in a horseshoe walk which took in Beinn Fhada and A' Chioch on 18^th February, 2007. Ben More was ascended via An Gearna and descended by the “tourist” path from Dhiseig on 10^th April, 1994.