Càrn Dearg (Bhrunachain), Glen Roy

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Summary

Càrn Dearg is one of four Corbetts accessible from Glen Roy, no less than three of which are called Càrn Dearg. This is the highest of the hills around the glen; the upper slopes are featureless moorland, the lower slopes steep and scarred by the famous 'parallel roads'.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Pathless hillwalk over grass and heather; some steeper ground. The featureless terrain can require careful navigation.

Public Transport

None.

Start

Limited parking near bridge at NN330909; parking area short distance further along road. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4 - 6 hours
Ascent: 674m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN330909

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Càrn Dearg

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

From the A86 in Roybridge take the road up Glen Roy on the west side of the river. Pause at the small car park on the drive up for a superb view of the parallel roads, well seen where they cross the steep slopes of Beinn Iaruinn. Thee roads are actually the remaining shorelines of a huge lake of glacial meltwater trapped by an enormous glacier that filled Great Glen and Glen Spean. The walk begins at the bridge over the river at NN330909; there is a parking area around another 300m further along the road.

Stage 2

Cross the bridge to the shed and pastures beyond, then look for a good place to cross the Allt na Reinich - usually possible on stones. The walk now heads down Glen Roy parallel to the River Roy; the going is varied - sometimes on good firm pasture, but also with some very wet sections. The river is most attractive, particularly at the rapids and low crag topped with birch trees at Easan Bhrunachain. The derelict cottage at Brunachain itself can be bypassed by cutting across the pasture and moraines to meet the Allt Brunachain.

Stage 3

A narrow, soggy path heads up the near side of the Allt Brunachain into the corrie. When the confluence of the Allt Brunachain and the Allt Dubh is reached you have a choice - you can either follow the Allt Dubh and then a grassy rake on its north side to reach the plateau, or you can cross the Allt Dubh and then head up the broad shoulder of grass and heather to the south - easy though steep going.

Stage 4

The plateau above is fairly featureless with some boggy areas, though views extend to the Grey Corries and Ben Nevis. Careful navigation is needed in poor visibility to find the summit, marked by a cairn.

Stage 5

From the summit there is a view to the Creag Meagaidh massif, easily identified by the Window - a prominent notch. To make a circuit, descend northeast towards a bealach and then aim north across the western slopes of the minor summit at point 765m.

Stage 6

Keep above the steep ground of Coire Reinich - crossing some wet terrain - before heading down the easy shoulder to the foot the coire, just above the footbridge at the start of the walk.

Route Profile

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