Beinn Resipol from Resipole campsite

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Summary

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.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

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.

Public Transport

Very infrequent bus service.

Start

Parking at Resipole campsite. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 827m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM724638

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Resipol

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (10)

Stage 1

Park just inside entrance to the Resipole Holiday Park - the campsite kindly lets walkers park here but if there is not much space or you have a number of cars check at reception. 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 signed 'To the Beinn' path into the oakwoods. After a hundred metres or so, at a crossroads of paths, 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.

Stage 2

The path narrows and runs high above the Allt Mhic Chiarain, 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. Soon the path crosses a more open area. The going is very boggy; pass through a gap in a fence (the old gate now being used to help cross the bog).

Stage 3

Beyond this, where the way is slightly indistinct, take the left option into more more birchwoods, crossing another stream. Beyond the trees, as the the ground ahead becomes much steeper and barer, bear right to reach a gate in the fence and then immediately after the gate bear left to return to the path. The path keeps to the south of the stream which now 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.

Stage 4

The ridges of Ben Resipol are now in view at last; the path crosses the stream coming down from Lochan Bac an Lochain and climbs the Clac Garbh valley between the westernmost hillock and the rocky peak of Beinn Resipol itself. The path is indistinct in places but keeps to the east (right) side of the stream as it climbs, with 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 (right), 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 (WSW).

Stage 5

The ridge is rocky but with a path and the summit should only be a short distance along it. Immediately before the summit the route is blocked by a line of easy crags which are easily scrambled up. 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 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.

Stage 6

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. Unless transport has been arranged (in which case you can traverse Beinn Resipol to Aruindle), the return is best made the same way, perhaps picking up an ice-cream from the campsite on the way.

Route Profile

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