Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 11 hikers
This Highlight is in a protected area
Please check local regulations for: Cairngorms National Park
There are numerous mountains named Càrn Dearg in Scotland and this particular one is a wonderful Munro and the highest peak in the Monadhliath Mountains. It’s on the border of the Cairngorms National Park and sits in a cluster of fellow Munros, making a multi-peak-bagging expedition very doable.
At 3,100 feet (945 m) and with a narrow, rocky ridge, Càrn Dearg differs in character from the rest of the range, which are more featureless in terms of their looks. You can park at the end of the lane that leads from Newtonmore into Glen Banchor, and head on foot to Glen Fionndrigh and over the bealach to the top of Glen Ballach. From there, you can ascend to Càrn Dearg and enjoy the utterly fantastic views from the top.
The lower reaches of the mountain and the glens you walk to reach it are often very boggy, so wear appropriate footwear to ensure your feet stay dry. The higher you go, the drier it usually gets.
Carn Dearg is a 945m Munro mountain in the Scottish Highlands. It was the final Munro in a great circuit of three (including A'Chailleach and Carn Sgulain) for us. On this walk we saw a wild mountain hare and really enjoyed walking across the broad sweeping ridges that link these Munros.
April 6, 2020
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