What difficulty is Beinn Dearg?

On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Dearg comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 15km and 730m of ascent on the usual route — 5-7 hours for most parties. Underfoot: The Gleann Daimh estate track is firm underfoot.

What is Beinn Dearg's prominence?

201m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Beinn Dearg to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Beinn Dearg?

Most walkers start from NN586473 near Fort William. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Beinn Dearg?

April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Dearg. 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 Dearg dog-friendly?

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

By Gary

Photo: Peter S / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Corbett · Fife & Perthshire

Beinn Dearg

This Beinn Dearg — "red hill", one of more than a dozen so named across Scotland — sits between Glen Lyon and Loch Rannoch in central Perthshire. At 830m it is essentially heather-clad moorland punctuated by small granite outcrops, with the namesake red colouring most evident on the boulder-strewn top. The view north across Loch Rannoch to the Ben Alder hills and south down Glen Lyon to the Lawers range gives it a fine cross-Highland panorama from the watershed between the two great glens.

Gaelic: “mountain, red” · Pronunciation: bine jerr-ak

Quick facts

Height: 830m/ 2723ft
Prominence: 201 m
Distance: ~15 km
Ascent: ~730 m
Time: 5–7 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NN608497
Parking: NN586473
Nearest: Fort William· Perth 57km
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

estate track 30% · rough heather 35% · broad ridge 25% · granite top 10%

15km · 730m ascent · 4.2 hrs

Most parties start from Innerwick in mid Glen Lyon and follow the estate track north into Gleann Daimh, then climb pathless heather slopes east onto the broad south ridge of Beinn Dearg. An even-graded climb up the ridge tops out at the cairn. Round trip about 15km with 730m of ascent. The hill is sometimes combined with neighbouring Meall Buidhe or Meall na Aighean if conditions allow, though both are longer outings in their own right.

Terrain

The Gleann Daimh estate track is firm underfoot. Beyond it the surface is rough heather and peat — pathless and slow. The summit ridge is broad short grass with granite outcrops scattered across the top; the highest cairn sits among loose pink granite blocks. No exposure or technical ground. Watch for stalking activity in season; tracks are working estate ground.

In winter

A benign winter Corbett — gentle slopes, no avalanche risk and no cornicing of consequence. The exposed summit catches easterly snowfall. The Glen Lyon road past Innerwick is single-track and rarely gritted in its upper stretches; check conditions before driving in. The hill itself is a straightforward winter walk in stable conditions.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Beinn Dearg. 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 Southeastern 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

Glasgow2h 48m
Edinburgh2h 7m

Parking: NN586473

OS maps: OS Landranger 51

Mobile signal: Intermittent in Glen Lyon; no signal on the summit

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 07mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:48
Sunset: 19:37
Civil dawn: 06:09
Civil dusk: 20:16

NOAA Solar Calculator · 15 September 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Dearg.

Two-hill day
Beinn Dearg + Creagan na Beinne
Combine with Creagan na Beinne for a Glen Lyon double giving fine views over the longest glen
22km · 1200m ascent · 9 hrs

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Around Beinn Dearg on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Rannoch station

Rannoch Moor — remote West Highland Line stop; Schiehallion approach via bus

21km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Aberfeldy

Loch Tay base — Ben Lawers, Tarmachan ridge, Birks of Aberfeldy

25km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Aberfeldy

Aberfeldy — heart of Dewar's blends; honey-and-heather Highland style

25km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Beinn Dearg — common questions

What difficulty is Beinn Dearg?: On the OutdoorSCOT scale, Beinn Dearg comes in at 3/5 — moderately challenging. Expect roughly 15km and 730m of ascent on the usual route — 5-7 hours for most parties. Underfoot: The Gleann Daimh estate track is firm underfoot.
What is Beinn Dearg's prominence?: 201m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Beinn Dearg to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Beinn Dearg?: Most walkers start from NN586473 near Fort William. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Beinn Dearg?: April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Beinn Dearg. 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 Dearg 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 Dearg?: Intermittent in Glen Lyon; no signal on the summit
Is Beinn Dearg safe in winter?: A benign winter Corbett — gentle slopes, no avalanche risk and no cornicing of consequence. The exposed summit catches easterly snowfall. The Glen Lyon road past Innerwick is single-track and rarely gritted in its upper stretches; check conditions before driving in. The hill itself is a straightforward winter walk in stable conditions.

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