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Traigh Gheal and Tireragan

Traigh Gheal is one of the most beautiful and secluded sandy beaches on Mull. The walk to it, however, through the Tireragan nature reserve, is overgrown and boggy, an Indiana Jones-style yomp requiring determination and perserverance. The area is owned by a charity who are encouraging its ecological restoration.

Terrain

The path becomes extremely boggy and overgrown as the walk progresses.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Knockvologan. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 182m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM314203

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Tireragan estate is accessed by driving around 4km south from Fionnphort, passing Fidden Farm. There is off-road parking on the left around 100m past a white house at Knockvologan. Begin the walk by continuing along the road to a group of barns, one of which has an information board about walks on Tireragan. The walk begins by heading through the gate on the left between the barns, adjacent to the board, and heading along an initially grassy track that soon becomes stony. It ends at another gate.

Stage 2

Pass through the gate and then follow a path which bears right across the heathery moorland, running parallel to a ditch on your right. The path has boards to improve the going underfoot, and soon leads to a footbridge and then another gate and stile - this is the entrance to the Tireragan Nature Reserve. Inside, the vegetation may be regenerating but the paths have unfortunately become very boggy and overgrown. Immediately the route forks, take the left branch that climbs up onto Tor Fada with great views back over the beaches to Erraid and Iona with its abbey.

Stage 3

The path continues along the ridge and after a brief descent is joined by another path coming in from the right (this can be used on the return walk). Continue ahead, crossing an area of flat and soggy moorland before descending towards a depression. Here there is a stone waymarker which indicates another path coming in from the right (this route also leads back to the start through the scrubby woodland but has become very overgrown). Instead continue ahead, soon crossing a wooden footbridge. The path heads left near a burn to reach another stone marker. Here you can follow the left path - over another footbridge - to make a very rough detour to the ruins of Tir Fheargain village; otherwise take the right hand fork.

Stage 4

The route passes through a boggy area and is overgrown with hazel and willow as it heads southeast, soon passing below the ruins of a second settlement, Breac-achadh. It then continues down a shallow glen towards the sea, keeping to the right hand side of the glen for much of the way. This section is extremely boggy and overgrown in places.

Stage 5

The reward is your arrival at Traigh Gheal beach. This spectacular stretch of sand is usually deserted, unless called on by a boat trip. If the weather is warm you could even wash some of that mud off in the sea - but there is no alternative but to return the same way.

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