The Best Munros Near Oban

Oban, the "Gateway to the Isles", is best known as a ferry port — but it's also a fine and underrated base for Munro bagging. The mountains of Argyll rise just inland, from one of Scotland's most spectacular horseshoes to a cluster of shapely peaks above Tyndrum, and a ferry even puts the only island Munro outside Skye within reach. Here are the best Munros near Oban.

The great one: Ben Cruachan

Ben Cruachan (1,126m) is the jewel of Argyll — a magnificent, steep-sided mountain rising straight from Loch Awe, about 40 minutes from Oban. The classic Cruachan Horseshoe links its two Munros (Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh) around a high, rocky ridge with some easy scrambling and superb views out to the west coast. It's one of the best rounds in the Southern Highlands and the obvious highlight of the area. See our guide to how to climb Ben Cruachan.

The Tyndrum and Dalmally hills

• Ben Lui and its neighbours. East towards Tyndrum, the beautiful Ben Lui group (Ben Lui, Beinn a' Chleibh, Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhchraig) offers a fine cluster of Munros — Ben Lui's shapely twin-topped cone is one of the most admired hills in the region.
• Beinn a' Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich. A quieter pair north of Loch Awe, easily combined into a good day.

The island Munro: Ben More on Mull

From Oban you can take the ferry to Mull to climb Ben More (966m) — the only Munro on an island other than Skye, and a proper expedition combining a ferry crossing with a fine, steep hill. It's a memorable day out and a distinctive tick, though it needs planning around ferry times.

Using Oban as a base

Oban suits a relaxed hill trip: a good range of accommodation, a railway station, plenty of places to eat, and the mountains of Argyll on the doorstep, with the added novelty of an island Munro by ferry. It's less of a pure high-mountain hub than Fort William, but for variety — big horseshoes, shapely peaks and a seaside base — it's hard to beat. For the biggest concentration of hills, compare the best Munros near Fort William. Many of these peaks feature in our Southern Highlands bagging guide.

Related guides

• How to climb Ben Cruachan
• Munro bagging in the Southern Highlands
• The best Munros near Fort William
• Munros tracking app — offline maps and routes for every hill near Oban