Ben Resipol is the westernmost of the big Highland peaks; it's position between Loch Shiel and Loch Sunart, looking out over Ardnamurchan and a wide sweep of sea and islands, makes it a classic viewpoint.
Summary
The path is indistinct in places and towards the summit fades completely. Most of the route is very boggy and rough; rocky near the top.
Terrain
NM722639
Grid ref
11.5km/7 miles
Distance
Grade
NB. Hillwalking when there is snow on the hills requires an ice-axe, crampons and winter skills and experience.
Users'
rating
Public transport
1. Park just inside entrance to the Resipole camping and caravan park. Beinn Resipol is not in view from here - nor until much later in the walk - the photo shows the hill from the shoreside west of Salen. Begin the walk from just behind the campsite reception, following the 'Dog Walk' into the oakwoods. After a hundred metres or so take the right hand path, over a small metal bridge, through a kissing gate and turn left when you meet a good path a short distance further on.
Photo ©Richard Webb, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
2. The path now runs high above a stream, through beautiful oak woodlands. The oaks give way to birches as the walk progresses. Further up, the path crosses a small stream before passing through more birchwoods.
3. Soon the path crosses a more open area. The going is very boggy; pass through a gap in a fence. Beyond this, where the way is slightly indistinct, take the left option, with more birchwoods closer to the stream. Soon the ground ahead becomes much steeper and barer; the stream flows down through a ravine and the path climbs the open hillside to the right of this. It cuts across the slope above some small waterfalls. Above this the going levels off once more, and there follows a flat, boggy section.
4. The ridges of Ben Resipol are now in view at last; the path (such as it is) climbs the Clac Garbh valley between the westernmost hillock and the rocky peak of Ben Resipol itself. The path fades as height is gained and the going becomes a little tougher, but the views back down Loch Sunart improve all the time. Continue right to the top of the Clac Garbh where the stream finally peters out in a bog - more direct routes towards Beinn Resipol are likely to involve much rock-scrambling. From this point, it is easy to head southwards, aiming for the summit ridge to the east of the summit itself. The slope is no steeper or rockier than the rest of the ascent. Once on the well-defined summit ridge, turn right.
5. The ridge is rocky but the summit should only be a short distance along it. Immediately before the summit the route is blocked by a line of easy crags; these can be circumvented to the right. Beyond is the huge cairn at 845 metres, making Beinn Resipol a Corbett, and next to it is the stunted remains of a former trig point, the top half of which is lying by the cairn. The views are absolutely stunning; a long section of Loch Shiel can be seen, then a wide sweep of sea encircles the whole of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Loch Sunart looks particularly fine, whilst further out to sea are the islands; in good weather you can see Mull, Coll, Muck, Rum and Eigg. When we ascended to take photos for this page, the clouds rolled in - so we wish you better luck. The return is best made the same way, perhaps picking up an ice-cream from the campsite on the way!
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