Corbett · North-West Highlands
Beinn Dearg
Beinn Dearg of Torridon — not to be confused with the Munro of the same name above Ullapool — is the only Corbett squeezed between Liathach and Beinn Alligin at the core of Torridon. At 913m it is among the highest Corbetts in Britain and has long been argued to deserve Munro status, missing the 914.4m cut by little more than a metre. The summit ridge is a magnificent line of Torridonian sandstone steps with airy positions, often described as a "missing Munro" of the Torridon group and rated by many as the finest Corbett in the country.
Gaelic: “mountain, red” · Pronunciation: bine jerr-ak
Quick facts
- Height
- 913.7m/ 2998ft
- Distance
- 16 km
- Ascent
- 803 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NG895608
- Parking
- NG868576
- Nearest
- Ullapool· Inverness 78km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
forest path 20% · open hillside 25% · sandstone scramble 45% · summit ridge 10%
Start from Coire Mhic Nobuil car park on the Diabaig road and follow the path north toward the Bealach a Chomhla between Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg. From the bealach, climb the south-west ridge — this is the technical heart of the day, with several rocky steps requiring careful route-finding and easy scrambling. The summit ridge runs north-east over an awkward sandstone step. Around 16km return with 803m of ascent. Most parties retrace the line; the traverse east continues to Carn na Feola but is committing.
Terrain
The Coire Mhic Nobuil path is firm and clear to the bealach. Beyond, the south-west ridge is a sustained scramble — large sandstone blocks, short walls and exposed steps with a Grade 1 difficulty most of the way. The summit ridge itself has one notorious step where down-climbing a few metres of rock is required. There is no easy bad-weather alternative; routes off the ridge are crag-bound on both sides.
In winter
A proper alpine outing under snow and ice. The sandstone steps that are easy scrambling in summer become serious mixed climbing in winter, with rime-coated blocks, hidden ice and corniced exposed sections of ridge. Most winter ascensions are by experienced climbing parties only; the south-west ridge in condition is a recognised winter route. Avoid in poor visibility — the cliffs on either side of the ridge are uncompromising.
This hill is in the Torridon SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow4h 59m
- Edinburgh4h 26m
OS maps: OS Landranger 23, OS Explorer 408
Mobile signal: No signal in the upper Torridon corries; intermittent at the road
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:34
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:30
- Civil dusk
- 23:10
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Beinn Dearg.
Around Beinn Dearg on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Beinn Dearg — common questions
- How hard is Beinn Dearg?
- Beinn Dearg is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 16km with 803m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Coire Mhic Nobuil path is firm and clear to the bealach.
- Where do I park for Beinn Dearg?
- Standard parking is at NG868576 near Ullapool. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Beinn Dearg?
- The standard good-weather months for Beinn Dearg are May, June, July, August, September. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Beinn Dearg?
- 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?
- No signal in the upper Torridon corries; intermittent at the road
- Is Beinn Dearg safe in winter?
- A proper alpine outing under snow and ice. The sandstone steps that are easy scrambling in summer become serious mixed climbing in winter, with rime-coated blocks, hidden ice and corniced exposed sections of ridge. Most winter ascensions are by experienced climbing parties only; the south-west ridge in condition is a recognised winter route. Avoid in poor visibility — the cliffs on either side of the ridge are uncompromising.