Argyll
Walks Near Oban
102 hills within 45km — 34 Munros, 30 Corbetts, 38 Grahams. Sorted by straight-line distance.
Oban is surrounded by Argyll hills and is the ferry gateway to Mull, Lismore, Colonsay and the outer islands. Ben Cruachan (the hollow mountain) rises above Loch Awe to the east. The Appin and Ardnamurchan hills are within day-trip range. Oban's west-coast position brings plenty of rain — the hills here are dramatic and green, with Atlantic light that rewards photographers in all seasons.
ScotRail runs from Glasgow Queen Street via Crianlarich, and Scottish Citylink coaches run from Glasgow. The CalMac ferry terminal in the town serves Mull, Lismore and Colonsay; the small Kerrera ferry leaves from Gallanach, south of the town. Local buses serve Connel and Taynuilt. A car is needed for most hill walks — the A85 east to Crianlarich gives access to Ben Cruachan and the southern Highlands.
Top walks near Oban
Ben Cruachan
The Hollow Mountain — a 1,127m Munro above Loch Awe, east of Oban on the A85. The traverse from Cruachan to Stob Daimh is one of Argyll's finest hill days. The power station inside the mountain is visited separately.
21km from Oban, straight line
Beinn Lora (Benderloch)
Small local hill (308m) above Benderloch — excellent views over Loch Etive and the Sound of Mull, from the Forestry and Land Scotland car park in the village. A good short walk or warm-up for the area.
10km from Oban, straight line
When to go
Oban's west-coast position means plenty of rain, but it also creates exceptional scenery, and the hills are dramatic in any weather. May–June often gives the most settled weather and long evenings. July–August is the peak season for ferry travel and island walking. September is excellent for lower midge numbers and autumn light. Winter island ferry services are reduced — check CalMac schedules. Ben Cruachan is a serious winter undertaking if snow lies.
Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Donalds within 45km of Oban
Distance is straight-line (as the crow flies) from the centre of Oban — not drive or walk distance. Radius: 45km. Marilyns are not included in this list; a hill on two lists appears once. Top-walk distances above are measured the same way, to the summit, car park or spot each card links to.
Current conditions near Oban
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:27
- Sunset
- 16:44
- Civil dawn
- 06:47
- Civil dusk
- 17:24
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best walk from Oban without a car?
- The island of Kerrera is the standout — the small ferry leaves from Gallanach, about 3km south of Oban town (a walk or a taxi), for a short crossing, and the island has quiet tracks, castle ruins and Hebridean views. McCaig's Tower above the town gives an easy viewpoint walk from the centre.
- Is Ben Cruachan accessible from Oban by public transport?
- Partly. The Oban line has a halt at Falls of Cruachan, beside the start of the path, but it is a request stop and National Rail says it is open only from April to October each year. Check the timetable before relying on it; outside that season the nearest station is Taynuilt.
- What islands can I visit for walking from Oban?
- CalMac sails from Oban to Mull (Craignure — Ben More is the island's Munro), Lismore (coastal walking) and Colonsay (excellent walking). Islay is reached from Kennacraig on Kintyre, not from Oban. Day trips to Mull for Ben More are popular with Munro baggers.
- How far is Glencoe from Oban?
- Glencoe is north of Oban on the A828 via Appin and the Ballachulish bridge. That makes Oban a viable base for Glencoe hill days, though most walkers prefer to stay closer to the glen.
Eat, drink and stay in Oban
The SCOT network covering the same town — travel context, food and drink, and non-hill alternatives.
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