6 days ago
The Scottish island walk that was named country's 'best hike' by experts
The Daily Record is back with another Walk of the Week. For the latest edition of our regular series, which highlights Scotland's best hikes and beauty spots, we are heading to the Hebrides.
Ben More is the highest mountain—and only Munro—on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. It is also the highest peak in the Scottish Isles aside from those on the Isle of Skye.
The Munro was previously named the "best hike in Scotland" by Much Better Adventures. It topped the experts' country-wide list, triumphing over beauty spots such as the Uath Lochans in the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis.
According to Much Better Adventures, Ben More is a moderate-to-challenging hike. This makes it ideal for those looking for more of a challenge as we approach the end of summer.
The walk is approximately six miles in length, and should take between six and seven hours to complete. It starts from and finishes at the Ben More Car Park.
From the car park, the route is "fairly apparent" according to the experts. Climbers will pass by streams, rock pools, and waterfalls as they make their way up Ben More, as well as "the ruins of some ancient houses".
While the walk up to the top isn't easy, the views will be well worth it. On a clear day, the vistas stretch all across Mull.
Much Better Adventures wrote: "The island of Mull is easily accessed on the ferry from Oban, and it's an island made for adventure. Follow the rolling roads—ideal for cycling—over to the west coast of the island, which is particularly scenic, with Loch Na Keal (a sea loch) providing a beautiful combination of Atlantic coastal beauty and Highland mountain drama.
"The biggest mountain of all here in Ben More. At 966m (3,169ft), it's the only Munro on Mull, and indeed, the only Munro on any Scottish island that isn't Skye. It's also a beauty of a walk—and on a sunny day, it's not overly demanding, and provides sensational views from the summit over all of Mull and out to Ulva, the majesty of Staffa, Lunga and the Treshnish Isles beyond."
See below for some photographs that showcase why Ben More is a great hiking destination. Meanwhile, the full list of the 26 "best hikes in Scotland" can be found on the Much Better Adventures website.
For more travel inspiration, some of the Daily Record's past Walks of the Week can be found below:
