The Paps of Jura

Summary

The round of the Paps of Jura is a bona fide Scottish classic hillwalk. These three great cones of rock and scree give a challenging walk with views that are - on a clear day - unforgettable.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Very boggy approach, then steep mountain terrain with loose scree and boulders; no continuous path but paths do help on many sections.

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.

Getting there

Start

Parking area on north side of the Three Arch Bridge over the Corran River.

Public Transport

Infrequent Jura bus service runs between Feolin Ferry and Ardlussa.

Start Grid Ref

NR544720

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.5km / 10.25 miles
Time (summer conditions): 9 - 10 hours
Ascent: 1401m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn an Oir
Fiona: Beinn Shiantaidh
Fiona: Beinn a' Chaolais

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Walk Description

User reports (13)

Stage 1

There is a parking area on the north side of the old bridge over the Corran river. Begin the walk by crossing the bridge and then immediately turning right down a path and over a stile across a deer fence. The path soon leads to a larger one; turn left along this. There are many ATV tracks across the moor ahead, but the line of the main path is usually clear to follow, though it is extremely boggy in places. It rises high above the river on the first section before contouring the slopes to eventually reach the stepping stones at the outflow of Loch an t-Siob.

Stage 2

Cross the stepping stones. The first objective - Beinn Shianntaidh - looks daunting and quite formidable. Various paths contour above Loch an t-Siob, but soon leave them and instead head up the steep moorland slope to the north to reach the foot of the east ridge of Beinn Shianntaidh. As you approach the nose of the mountain a path is picked up at the foot of the first substantial screes. This climbs round to the left, onto the steep southern face of the mountain.

Stage 3

The path forks and becomes less distinct - leave it and head more directly up the heather. Soon the steep, very loose scree becomes unavoidable - battling up this is as tough as the going anywhere on the route. Higher up there is a patch of heather seen in distant views of the mountain, with a steep path of sorts heading up it. The upper screes are less steep, and the summit ridge is eventually reached. Head left along this to reach the cairn.

Stage 4

From here the easier ascent route on the next Pap, Beinn an Oir can be seen heading up the ramp from left to right. First though is a very rough descent; continue over boulders initially, soon dropping steeply to a shoulder. There is then a further steep descent to a marginally grassier shoulder. At this point - before the next rocky descent all the way down to the bealach - the best route is to turn right for a short distance to pick up traces of a path that lead into a rake, then turn left down this rake - with a path - that greatly eases the steepest part of the descent. Finally continue down more open slopes to the bealach.

Stage 5

The bealach is pathless, but cross it to the southwest to reach the start of a fairly clear path that leads up onto the ramp that begins to the left side of the flank of Beinn an Oir. Once on the ramp the path curves right to follow it on a heathery climb, free of scree. Higher up the path begins to peter out, near the scant remains of a stone building; leave the ramp here to climb more steeply up the slope to the left where there is a gap in the wall of scree. Climb up this to reach the summit ridge, near to the remains of more stone buildings. These date from the 19th century and were a 'Colby Camp' used by the Ordnance Survey in their mapping of the Highlands and Islands.

Stage 6

Turn SW up the summit ridge, following a constructed route through the stones made by those early OS surveyors. Soon the summit is reached; the highest of the Paps is marked by a trig point in a shelter cairn, with a further cairn just beyond. The views of the sea and islands all around are - as might be expected - breathtaking. From a few paces further along the final Pap - Beinn a' Chaolais - looks very intimidating indeed with a hair-raisingly steep scree path - but don't worry as this can be avoided. The descent from here, however, is again very rough and requires care; begin along the rocky crest of the south ridge.

Stage 7

There are sensational views down into a gully on the right side. Continue along the ridge crest - mostly of small boulders - until it widens and a steeper section is reached. Here, aided by a sketchy zig-zag path - descend steeply to the right towards the SSW shoulder seen below. The zig-zags soon lead down to steep, loose scree which is descended to the shoulder. Cross the grassier ground of the shoulder itself, where again a path may be picked up that aids the main part of the descent, a long and winding route that avoids the crags and descends a further patch of scree. Eventually it leads down to the bealach. Continue towards Beinn a' Chaolais, but when just below the extensive curtains of scree leave the path (that leads to the prominent steep scree chute) to instead make a rising traverse to reach the ESE side of the mountain. There are great views back to the two Paps already climbed.

Stage 8

From here traces of a path lead steeply uphill to the west; further on this path contours left to reach a tongue of heather between two wide slopes of steep scree. Head up the heather and continue steeply uphill; the upper slopes again have more scree (the direct scree path soon joins in from the right) but the gradient is less steep and a path is of some help. Eventually the summit is reached with quite stupendous views back to the other two Paps - Beinn an Oir looking particularly fine from here.

Stage 9

Retrace your steps back down off Beinn a' Chaolais, then descend into the glen of the Abhainn Gleann an t-Siob. There is boggy, pathless going until the loch is reached, then a rough path heads round the south side of the loch. At the far end the outward route is rejoined; follow this back across the moors to return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Islay, Jura & Colonsay Hotels

Islay, Jura & Colonsay B&B

Islay, Jura & Colonsay cottages

Islay, Jura & Colonsay hostels

Glamping and Camping

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