Corbett · Cairngorms
Carn Dearg Mor
Carn Dearg Mor — "the big red hill" — sits in the empty country between Glen Feshie and the Geldie Burn, on the south-west flank of the great Cairngorm plateau. At 857m the rounded red-granite summit is a Corbett in stature though surrounded by Munros; its 290m of re-ascent off the high plateau is what earns it the classification. The view east takes in the full sweep of Cairn Toul, Braeriach and Carn an Fhidhleir — a properly arctic Cairngorm panorama with no road in sight.
Gaelic: “cairn-topped hill, red, big” · Pronunciation: karn jerr-ak more
Quick facts
- Height
- 857.4m/ 2813ft
- Distance
- 15 km
- Ascent
- 754 m
- Time
- 5–7 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN823911
- Parking
- NN852976
- Nearest city
- Inverness
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
pinewood path 25% · open heather 35% · broad slopes 30% · summit area 10%
The shortest line is from Achlean in Glen Feshie, taking the public footpath south through the pinewoods then climbing east up open heather and granite gravel to the summit dome. A longer alternative starts from Linn of Dee via the Geldie path. Both involve about 15km return with 754m of ascent. Many baggers pair this hill with Mullach Clach a' Bhlair or An Sgarsoch for a long, committing south Cairngorm day.
Terrain
The Glen Feshie path is firm and well drained through the pinewoods. Above the trees the ground turns to red granite gravel and short heather — easy walking with little path. The summit dome is featureless with the cairn on a small platform of broken granite. No exposure or scrambling anywhere on the hill, but the open ground gives no shelter once above the trees.
In winter
A bleak winter day on the open south-Cairngorm fringe — full plateau wind exposure but with gentle gradients and no significant avalanche slopes. The Glen Feshie pinewoods give shelter on the approach. Drifting fills the upper slopes; navigation in whiteout is the chief skill. Access roads to Achlean or Linn of Dee can be slow after heavy snow.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 43m
- Edinburgh3h 39m
OS maps: OS Landranger 35, OS Landranger 43
Mobile signal: No signal in upper Glen Feshie; intermittent at Achlean
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:32
- Sunset
- 21:55
- Civil dawn
- 03:31
- Civil dusk
- 22:56
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Around Carn Dearg Mor on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Kingussie station
Cairngorms south side; Glen Feshie; Insh Marshes; Monadhliath access
12km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Aviemore
Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train
23km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Dalwhinnie
Dalwhinnie — Scotland's highest distillery on the Drumochter pass
20km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Carn Dearg Mor — common questions
- How hard is Carn Dearg Mor?
- Carn Dearg Mor is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 15km with 754m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-7 hours. Terrain: The Glen Feshie path is firm and well drained through the pinewoods.
- Where do I park for Carn Dearg Mor?
- Standard parking is at NN852976 near Inverness. 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 Carn Dearg Mor?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn Dearg Mor are May, June, July, August, September, October. 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 Carn Dearg Mor?
- 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 Carn Dearg Mor?
- No signal in upper Glen Feshie; intermittent at Achlean
- Is Carn Dearg Mor safe in winter?
- A bleak winter day on the open south-Cairngorm fringe — full plateau wind exposure but with gentle gradients and no significant avalanche slopes. The Glen Feshie pinewoods give shelter on the approach. Drifting fills the upper slopes; navigation in whiteout is the chief skill. Access roads to Achlean or Linn of Dee can be slow after heavy snow.