Gallanach and Druim Mor, Oban

Summary

Beginning with a climb to the fine viewpoint of Pulpit Hill above Oban, this walk explores the countryside immediately to the south of the town. The return is along a low grassy ridge with superb views. Note that this walk crosses land with livestock - cattle are grazed here. Please keep gates closed and any dogs are requested to be kept on a lead.

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Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good paths with one boggy section on outward route; return over Druim Mor on grassy tracks, one more boggy section.

Getting there

Start

Oban town centre.

Public Transport

Buses/trains to Oban.

Start Grid Ref

NM858298

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.4km / 4.5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 260m (Profile)

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Explorer 359 - Oban

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

WARNING

We've reports that there is currently construction work ongoing at the house at Stage 4. The track here is recognised in planning as an important access route that must be maintained to a 2m width at all times. If you have any problems passing through on this section, please report them to the Argyll & Bute council Access Manager.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

The walk begins from the centre of Oban. From the main roundabout at the southern end of the seafront, close to the train station, take Albany Street, signed for Gallanach. Keep straight on, passing the library and ignoring a turn off right. When the main road bends right leave it, signed for 'Pulpit Hill', and head up the steep 'Haggarts Brae' path beside Maridon House B&B. When this emerges on a tarmac road, keep ahead, taking the next right which short-cuts a wide zig-zag in the road to rejoin further up. When it rejoins the road again ignore a road off right but take the next footpath on the right, signed for 'Pulpit Hill'.

Stage 2

The footpath leads up steps - ignore a turning on the right and continue ahead; it bends left to emerge in a grassy park-like area. Bear right up the grass slope to reach the viewpoint and benches of Pulpit Hill, a fine viewpoint over the town and harbour of Oban, with ferry boats endlessly coming and going down below. Leave the viewpoint via the car parking and following the lane to the right of the toilets.

Stage 3

Walk down the street passing the bungalows, ignoring the next turn on the left. Turn left at the t-junction and then right onto Pulpit Drive. Finally take a footpath off to the left up a track signed for 'Kerrera Ferry'. The clear path runs through some woods and continues behind the gardens of several houses. Eventually it goes through a gate and continues ahead. There are a couple of slightly boggy patches; at a fork ignore a path off left (which heads up Druim Mor) to stay on the main path. Later the path comes alongside a fence on your right, and there is another brief boggy section. Beyond this a fork is reached; the right hand branch heads to the Kerrera Ferry and provides a fine approach from Oban to the walks on that island, but to continue our circular route take the left branch, heading to a large iron gate in a deer fence.

Stage 4

Pass through this and then follow the track that keeps to the left of the modern house and its garden ground - please respect privacy. Beyond this, there are good views over to the Isle of Kerrera through a gap in the hills, with the mountains of Mull rising behind it if the weather is clear. The track now descends alongside a fence with Gallanach campsite visible beyond.

Stage 5

The track eventually meets a minor road. Turn left here, then after 150m or so turn left again up a tarred track towards the mast. Almost immediately fork right through a gate to gain a grassy track that climbs up onto the hill behind the mast. The track has superb views back over the Sound of Kerrera, passing a wooden bench.

Stage 6

Continue following it up the ridge, passing between some rounded summits. Eventually the track becomes a little fainter - continue along it to reach and pass through an iron gate. On the far side the track bends left and then back right, becoming a rougher path with a few boggy patches as it continues towards another mast. There are sensational views towards Ben Cruachan as well as over the environs of Oban.

Stage 7

When the mast is reached pass to the left of it to gain the access track, then follow this as it winds downhill. Pass through a gate, reaching the first houses. The track swings left then bears right to reach a t-junction with a street - turn right down this. This rejoins the outward route; retrace your steps from here, going straight ahead at the next junction to rejoin Haggarts Brae and head back down into Oban.

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