How hard is Sgurr Dearg?

Sgurr Dearg is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 608m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Sitka forestry tracks low down then steep tussock and bracken; the upper hill has broken basalt outcrops requiring careful line-choice in mist.

Where do I park for Sgurr Dearg?

Standard parking is at NM693432 near Oban. 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 Sgurr Dearg?

The standard good-weather months for Sgurr 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 Sgurr Dearg?

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

How do I get the ferry to Sgurr Dearg?

Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.

How hard is Sgurr Dearg?

Sgurr Dearg is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 608m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Sitka forestry tracks low down then steep tussock and bracken; the upper hill has broken basalt outcrops requiring careful line-choice in mist.

Where do I park for Sgurr Dearg?

Standard parking is at NM693432 near Oban. 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 Sgurr Dearg?

The standard good-weather months for Sgurr 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 Sgurr Dearg?

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

How do I get the ferry to Sgurr Dearg?

Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.

By Gary Innes

Photo: Iain A Robertson / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Graham · Argyll & Bute

Sgurr Dearg

A rust-red, lava-streaked summit in the Morvern peninsula above Lochaline, with crags of weathered basalt giving the hill its name. The view stretches over the Sound of Mull to Ardnamurchan and across to the Small Isles on a good day.

Gaelic: “sharp peak, red” · Pronunciation: skoor jerr-ak

Quick facts

Height: 741m/ 2431ft
Distance: 14 km
Ascent: 608 m
Time: 4–7 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NM665339
Parking: NM693432
Nearest city: Oban
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

road access 15% · heather hillside 45% · grassy ridge 30% · summit area 10%

14km · 608m ascent · 3.8 hrs

Park near the Lochaline road at Achabeg and take the forest tracks west, picking a line up the open south-east shoulder through bracken and onto the rocky summit dome. Pathless above the trees.

Terrain

Sitka forestry tracks low down then steep tussock and bracken; the upper hill has broken basalt outcrops requiring careful line-choice in mist.

In winter

Morvern rarely sees lasting snow but the basalt step-cliffs glaze with verglas after a wet thaw. Daylight constrains options December to February given the long drive from anywhere; few people pass this way.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 57m
Edinburgh4h 46m

Parking: NM693432

Ferry access

Oban → Craignure

Crossing time45 min
Summer sailingsUp to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailings4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead7 days
Last ferry backCheck CalMac timetable — sailings run until ~21:00 in peak summer

Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.

Book on CalMac ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 49

Mobile signal: No signal in this remote Glen Shiel/Cluanie area

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 12mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:43
Sunset: 21:58
Civil dawn: 03:45
Civil dusk: 22:57

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026

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Around Sgurr Dearg on the SCOT network

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

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Oban station

Argyll ferry hub; Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra connections

20km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Oban

Argyll ferry hub — Mull, Lismore, Coll, Tiree, Barra

20km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Oban

Oban town centre — tiny two-still distillery bridging Highland and West Coast styles

20km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Sgurr Dearg — common questions

How hard is Sgurr Dearg?: Sgurr Dearg is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 14km with 608m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-7 hours. Terrain: Sitka forestry tracks low down then steep tussock and bracken; the upper hill has broken basalt outcrops requiring careful line-choice in mist.
Where do I park for Sgurr Dearg?: Standard parking is at NM693432 near Oban. 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 Sgurr Dearg?: The standard good-weather months for Sgurr 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 Sgurr 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 Sgurr Dearg?: No signal in this remote Glen Shiel/Cluanie area
How do I get the ferry to Sgurr Dearg?: Oban → Craignure. Up to 8 sailings daily (Apr–Oct) in summer; 4–5 sailings daily (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 7 days ahead. Foot passengers can usually turn up without booking. Book vehicle spaces in advance. The Lochaline → Fishnish crossing (15 min) is shorter but serves east Mull only.
Is Sgurr Dearg safe in winter?: Morvern rarely sees lasting snow but the basalt step-cliffs glaze with verglas after a wet thaw. Daylight constrains options December to February given the long drive from anywhere; few people pass this way.