How hard is Beinn Chreagach?

We grade Beinn Chreagach at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Wide basalt plateau with shallow peat patches and short heather.

What is Beinn Chreagach's prominence?

Beinn Chreagach's prominence is its full height — 313m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Beinn Chreagach?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Chreagach. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Beinn Chreagach dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How do I get the ferry to Beinn Chreagach?

Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Argyll & Bute

Beinn Chreagach

This Beinn Chreagach is the 313m basalt summit between Calgary Bay and Dervaig on the north arm of Mull, distinct from its higher namesake on the Ross. The hill is a low plateau with steep flanks dropping toward the Sound of Mull and gives a fine view across to the Treshnish Isles.

Quick facts

Height: 313m/ 1027ft
Prominence: 313 m
Difficulty: 1 / 5Easy
Grid ref: NM 40349 40197
Nearest city: Oban· 47km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

basalt plateau 45% · rough grassland 35% · heather 20%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

Park near the road end at Treshnish Farm and head south-east up the broad heather slope. The going is short and steady, with the plateau gained in about 45 minutes. Round trip is around 2.5 hours.

Terrain

Wide basalt plateau with shallow peat patches and short heather. Drier than the equivalent inland Mull tops thanks to free-draining slabs.

In winter

A reliable winter walk with very little snow accumulation. The exposed plateau funnels wind from the Atlantic so dress for the gust speeds rather than the lapse rate.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Chreagach. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS West Highlands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow5h 20m
Edinburgh8h 57m

Ferry access

Oban → Craignure

Crossing time45 min
Summer sailingsUp to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailings4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead7 days
Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — sailings run until ~21:00 in peak summer

Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.

Book on CalMac ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 47, OS Landranger 48, OS Explorer 374E, OS Explorer 374W, OS Explorer 375W

Mobile signal: Poor. North Mull; intermittent EE near Tobermory.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

16h 50mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 05:50
Sunset: 21:10
Civil dawn: 05:05
Civil dusk: 21:55

NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 August 2026

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Around Beinn Chreagach on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Oban station

Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections

46km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Tobermory

Mull base — Ben More, Treshnish, ferry to Iona

18km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Tobermory

Mull — colourful harbour-front distillery making both unpeated and peated (Ledaig) whisky

18km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Beinn Chreagach — common questions

How hard is Beinn Chreagach?: We grade Beinn Chreagach at 1/5, which puts it in easy territory. Underfoot: Wide basalt plateau with shallow peat patches and short heather.
What is Beinn Chreagach's prominence?: Beinn Chreagach's prominence is its full height — 313m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Beinn Chreagach?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Chreagach. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Beinn Chreagach dog-friendly?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Beinn Chreagach?: Poor. North Mull; intermittent EE near Tobermory.
How do I get the ferry to Beinn Chreagach?: Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
Is Beinn Chreagach safe in winter?: A reliable winter walk with very little snow accumulation. The exposed plateau funnels wind from the Atlantic so dress for the gust speeds rather than the lapse rate.

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