Beinn Resipol from Resipole

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.

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Grade

Bog Factor

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.

Getting there

Start

Parking at Resipole Farm Holiday Park.

Public Transport

Very infrequent bus service.

Start Grid Ref

NM724638

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 11.5km / 7.25 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 827m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Resipol

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Explorer 390 - Ardnamurchan

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Walk Description

User reports (11)

Stage 1

Park just inside entrance to the Resipole Holiday Park - the operator 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. Soon the path swings left, then back right at a junction, over a small metal bridge, through a kissing gate and turn left when you meet a good path just beyond the woods.

Stage 2

After around 600m the path joins a track coming up from the far end of the holiday park. This keeps well above the Allt Mhic Chiarain, through beautiful oak woodlands, passing through two gates. The oaks give way to birches as the walk progresses. Eventually the track fades; cross a small burn and continue above the tree-clad Allt Mhic Chiarain.

Stage 3

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 burn coming down from Lochan Bac an Lochain and climbs up the Clac Garbh burn. The path does not head up the ridge, but keeps to the SE bank of the right fork of the burn as it climbs, with the views back down Loch Sunart improve all the time. The path continues up the Clac Garbh unitl burn finally peters out in a bog to the north of the summit (more direct routes towards Beinn Resipol are likely to involve rock-scrambling). From here it is easy to head southwards, aiming for the summit ridge just 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.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Ardnamurchan Hotels

Ardnamurchan B&B

Ardnamurchan cottages

Ardnamurchan hostels

Glamping and Camping

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