Iona: the abbey, Dùn Ì and the north end

The walk starts at the ferry terminal at Baile Mòr, the village on Iona, and follows the island road north past the ruins of the nunnery to Iona Abbey, on the island where Saint Columba and his followers landed in 563. The road carries on over the crofts to the foot of Dùn Ì, the island's highest hill, and a short steep path leaves it to climb to the trig point on top, which has wide views over the island and the sea. Back on the road, a track and then a footway cross the grazed machair at the north end to the shore, and the path runs west over the first white sand beaches. The return is the same way, without the second climb of Dùn Ì.

It is 7.7 km there and back with 117 m of ascent; allow about 2¼ hours. The grade is Easy: a minor road and good paths, with one short steep climb on Dùn Ì that can be muddy.

The north end of Iona is grazed croftland. Keep to the path to the beach, and keep your dog in sight and under control near the stock, on a lead if in doubt; NatureScot also says to let your dog go if cattle threaten it. The walk passes the abbey without going in. Historic Environment Scotland says tickets are needed for standard entry to the abbey and nunnery.

Iona is reached by the foot ferry from Fionnphort on Mull; CalMac sells the tickets. The island is under a Prohibition of Vehicles Order, which controls the vehicles allowed on it, so plan to leave a car at Fionnphort. Argyll and Bute Council lists a free car park for about 140 vehicles close to the Columba Centre and the pier car park, for about 70, as charged at £1 per hour, and says work on the breakwater has restricted parking on the pier. There is no station on Mull or Iona.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.