Corbett · Central Highlands
Carn Dearg
This Carn Dearg — the 816m Corbett above the west end of Loch Lochy at NN349966 — sits in the rolling moorland between Loch Lochy and Glen Roy. Not to be confused with the Corrour Carn Dearg or the Loch Pattack Carn Dearg, both Corbetts; the central Highlands has three. The summit gives views east into the Creag Meagaidh massif and south across to the Loch Lochy Munros. Often climbed by Munro-baggers as a quiet preliminary to the higher hills nearby.
Gaelic: “cairn-topped hill, red” · Pronunciation: karn jerr-ak
Quick facts
- Height
- 816.5m/ 2679ft
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 720 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN349966
- Parking
- NN178879
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
dam track 20% · heather hillside 45% · grassy ridge 25% · summit area 10%
Park at the small layby near Achnacarry on the minor road north of Spean Bridge (NN178879). Walk or cycle the estate track north-east up Glen Cia-aig for around 5km, then climb east onto Carn Dearg's broad south-west ridge. A measured climb across mixed heather and grass slopes reaches the summit cairn. For a long round, traverse north to Meall na h-Eilde and back. Allow 6–7 hours.
Terrain
The Glen Cia-aig estate route covers the lower approach. Beyond the track end, the ground turns to a mix of heather and grass scattered with peat hag. The high point sits on a small rocky outcrop with a modest cairn. Drier than the western Highlands thanks to the Lochaber rain shadow position.
In winter
Snow holds on the upper ridge through the heart of the winter. The Achnacarry road slows in icy spells but normally stays driveable. No avalanche concerns on the standard south-west ridge. A useful winter Corbett day when conditions rule out the bigger Lochaber Munros nearby.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 50m
- Edinburgh3h 56m
OS maps: OS Landranger 34
Mobile signal: EE/Vodafone usable on the Achnacarry road; weakens up Glen Cia-aig; brief signal on the summit looking south to the Great Glen
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:35
- Sunset
- 21:58
- Civil dawn
- 03:34
- Civil dusk
- 22:59
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Carn Dearg.
Around Carn Dearg on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Carn Dearg — common questions
- How hard is Carn Dearg?
- Carn Dearg is rated 2/5 (moderate) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 720m of ascent and takes most walkers 3-6 hours. Terrain: The Glen Cia-aig estate route covers the lower approach.
- Where do I park for Carn Dearg?
- Standard parking is at NN178879 near Fort William. 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?
- The standard good-weather months for Carn Dearg are April, 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?
- 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?
- EE/Vodafone usable on the Achnacarry road; weakens up Glen Cia-aig; brief signal on the summit looking south to the Great Glen
- Is Carn Dearg safe in winter?
- Snow holds on the upper ridge through the heart of the winter. The Achnacarry road slows in icy spells but normally stays driveable. No avalanche concerns on the standard south-west ridge. A useful winter Corbett day when conditions rule out the bigger Lochaber Munros nearby.