Ben More via A' Chioch and Beinn Fhada

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Summary

The A' Chioch ridge provides the classic approach to Ben More for scramblers, revealing the finest features of the mountain. Adding Beinn Fhada as well makes for a full mountain day. The final slope up Ben More is unpleasantly loose and steep with tricky route finding.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Boggy to start. Rocky mountain ridges with exposed easy scrambling. Great care required on final ascent up very steep slope with loose, broken rocks and tricky route finding.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Parking area on B8035 near Rubha na Moine. 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: 14.5km / 9 miles
Time (summer conditions): 8 - 9 hours
Ascent: 1255m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM510371

Summits Climbed

Munro: Ben More (Mull)
Fiona: Benn Fhada

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Walk Description

User reports (14)

Stage 1

Most walkers attempting the A' Chioch ridge start up the north bank of the Abhainn na h-Uamha to gain the bealach between A' Chioch and Beinn Fhada. This way has good views of Ben More along the way but is rather boggy; a better route is to start by ascending Beinn Fhada. There is a sizeable area for parking on the north side of the B8035 about half way between the bridge over the Abhainn na h-Uamha and the bridge over the Scarisdale river. Start here and walk east along the road to the latter bridge. Do not cross but instead head southeast up the initially boggy moorland above the river.

Stage 2

After about a kilometre break south to head up the end of the ridge that leads to Beinn Fhada. It is steep in places but without any obstacles as it ascends to reach a minor summit at 563m. From here the ridge leads on southeast towards Beinn Fhada itself; rocky and undulating, it has a real rugged, mountain character. After passing above a tiny lochan the ridge ascends steeply - this may have looked difficult from point 563m but a path leads easily up it.

Stage 3

The ridge then becomes broader and grassy for a time until reaching the foot of the summit cone of Beinn Fhada. Head up the nose end of this and continue to the small cairn which marks the summit - a Fiona at 702m. From here it is best to retrace your steps back the way you came from the summit area before heading S to a small lochan; there are craggy slopes barring a more direct start towards A' Chioch. From the east side of the lochan the next part of the descent is more straightforward on a broad slope of stones and grass. Further down there are crags seemingly barring the route ahead, but these can be descended via easy ledges slightly to the left. Continue down to the reach the bealach, with both A' Chioch and Ben More looking very impressive ahead.

Stage 4

The lower slopes of A' Chioch are broad though rocky in parts but higher up the ridge narrows dramatically towards an intimidating-looking peak. There is some straightforward scrambling before a rock tower provides a slightly trickier obstacle; keen scramblers may tackle this direct or slightly to the right. There is also a bypass path across a very exposed grass slope on the left side, starting slightly further back down the ridge; this regains the crest further on by turning up an easy grassy rake. A more obvious path now continues up some loose ground to reach the summit of A' Chioch.

Stage 5

From here there is a stunning view of Ben More; the route to it looks very formidable with a pinnacled ridge leading by an extremely steep final ascent. Descend easily at first; the final section down to the bealach is very rocky but there is a clear path. The next section of the ridge is riven into pinnacles with precipitous cliffs on the right hand side; a bypass path cuts across the left flank of this part of the ridge before regaining the crest as the ridge line begins to climb more steeply. From here to the summit the ridge itself rises very steeply. Again paths on the left side can aid the ascent, though there is a great deal of loose, rocky and very steep ground that requires care. Route finding in particular can be difficult with so many trods in the scree; remember you need to keep gaining height to keep within reasonable distance of the ridge itself. The ridge can be regained above a steep, narrow gully.

Photo: Graham Lewis

Stage 6

Continue up to emerge with relief at the summit of Ben More - possibly populated by carefree walkers munching their sandwiches having arrived here the easy way! The views, as might be expected, are superb - a great sweep of mountains and sea, with the sharp peak of A' Chioch really catching the eye from here. Begin along the northwest ridge, following the stony path that then descends the left arm of Coire nam Fuaran. The path eventually comes close to the Abhainn Dhiseig and then switches to the opposite bank.

Stage 7

Continue down; on the lower slopes the ground is boggier and the path is sometimes indistinct. Eventually join a track on the left of the cottage at Dhiseig, and head down this to reach the road. All that remains now is a walk of around 2km back to the start point - with great evening views of Ben More and A' Chioch.

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