Càrn Dearg

Càrn Dearg is a 1,034-metre Munro and Marilyn in the Highland council area. It stands in the Grampian Mountains east of Fort William, between Loch Ossian and Loch Ericht. The mountain forms part of a four-Munro ridge running roughly southwest to northeast. To the southeast the broad bulk of Ben Alder is separated by the Bealach Dubh col, which reaches 722 metres. The summit of Càrn Dearg crowns the northeastern section of the main ridge, three kilometres from the other Munros. The mountain’s steep southeast and northwest flanks are rocky near the top, while the northeast and southwest ridges offer gentler routes. A 925-metre subsidiary top called Dollaid a’ Chairn lies southwest of the summit, linking to the adjacent Geal-Chàrn. To the northeast the ridge ends at a 827-metre top above Loch Pattack. Because it lies in remote, uninhabited country far from roads, walkers must carry a bothy bag or plan long approaches on foot or by mountain bike. Most climbers tackle the four Munros in a single ridge traverse. They start either at Dalwhinnie in the northeast or Corrour Station in the southwest, both more than 16 kilometres away. Culra Bothy once stood on the southeast flank, the only nearby shelter without a tent, but it closed in 2015 because of asbestos. The open hills around Càrn Dearg give wide views over the surrounding lochs and glens.