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
- Prominence
- 201 m
- Distance
- 14 km
- Ascent
- 720 m
- Time
- 3–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN349966
- Parking
- NN178879
- Nearest city
- Fort William· 33km
- 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
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 at the summit facing south to the Great Glen
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:43
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:42
- Civil dusk
- 23:07
NOAA Solar Calculator · 13 July 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 difficult is Carn Dearg?
- Carn Dearg carries a 2/5 (moderate) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 14km, 720m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: The Glen Cia-aig estate route covers the lower approach.
- How prominent is Carn Dearg?
- Carn Dearg has 201m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Carn Dearg?
- Standard parking is at NN178879. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I 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?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Carn Dearg?
- EE/Vodafone usable on the Achnacarry road; weakens up Glen Cia-aig; brief signal at the summit facing 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.
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