Munro · Central Highlands
Chno Dearg
Chno Dearg (1046m) — "red nut" — is the higher of the two Munros above the deep glacial trench of Loch Treig, paired with Stob Coire Sgriodain to the south-west. It is a broad whaleback summit looking out over the West Highland Line as it runs along the shore of Loch Treig to Corrour. Best climbed as a horseshoe of both Munros from the small hamlet of Fersit, which sits at the head of the loch and the start of the rough track south.
Gaelic: “red” · Pronunciation: chno jerr-ak
Quick facts
- Height
- 1046m/ 3432ft
- Distance
- 18 km
- Ascent
- 920 m
- Time
- 6–9 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN377741
- Parking
- NN350781
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
Track / open hillside 35% · Open ridge 40% · Summit 25%
Park at Fersit at the end of the side road off the A86 west of Tulloch. Cross the railway via the level crossing and climb the broad north-west ridge of Stob Coire Sgriodain, with views straight down the length of Loch Treig. From Sgriodain drop east-south-east to the col and climb directly onto Chno Dearg via its broad west shoulder. Return north over Meall Garbh and down to Fersit. Around 14km with 1100m of ascent for the pair; Chno Dearg alone is 11km with 850m up.
Terrain
The Fersit approach crosses the railway line — be alert, this is the working West Highland Line. Above the crossing the ground is wet boggy moor with no clear path; pick a line up to the broad north-west ridge of Sgriodain. Higher up the ridges turn to short grass and gravel, easy walking. The bealach between Sgriodain and Chno Dearg is broad and wet. The summit area of Chno Dearg is a large flat top with the cairn marking the modest high point.
In winter
A relatively benign winter Munro pair, but the open whaleback summits are fully exposed to westerly weather coming off Rannoch Moor. The east face of Chno Dearg above Coire an Easain Bhig holds wind-loaded snow. The A86 to Fersit is gritted but the Fersit side road can drift closed. Phone signal is intermittent. SAIS Lochaber applies to the western corries.
This hill is in the Creag Meagaidh SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow2h 21m
- Edinburgh3h 50m
OS maps: OS Landranger 41
Mobile signal: No signal above 700m. Fersit village has occasional signal. Download maps before the drive from Tulloch or Spean Bridge.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:25
- Civil dusk
- 23:09
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Chno Dearg.
Around Chno Dearg on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Tulloch station
Loch Treig; Beinn na Lap; Stob Coire Easain / Stob a Choire Mheadhoin approach
5km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
27km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
26km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Chno Dearg — common questions
- How hard is Chno Dearg?
- Chno Dearg is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 18km with 920m of ascent and takes most walkers 6-9 hours. Terrain: The Fersit approach crosses the railway line — be alert, this is the working West Highland Line.
- Where do I park for Chno Dearg?
- Standard parking is at NN350781 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 Chno Dearg?
- The standard good-weather months for Chno Dearg 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 Chno 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 Chno Dearg?
- No signal above 700m. Fersit village has occasional signal. Download maps before the drive from Tulloch or Spean Bridge.
- Is Chno Dearg safe in winter?
- A relatively benign winter Munro pair, but the open whaleback summits are fully exposed to westerly weather coming off Rannoch Moor. The east face of Chno Dearg above Coire an Easain Bhig holds wind-loaded snow. The A86 to Fersit is gritted but the Fersit side road can drift closed. Phone signal is intermittent. SAIS Lochaber applies to the western corries.
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