Beinn Dearg, Torridon

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Summary

Hidden away behind Liathach and just under the height needed to be a Munro, Beinn Dearg receives far less attention than its three famed Torridon neighbours. It repays closer attention, however, as this is a truly spectacular ridge giving superlative views in one of Scotland's most stunning areas. The route given is an out-and-back to the main summit; experienced scramblers can continue along the ridge taking in a steep down-scramble of three rocky tiers.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Good stalkers' path initially, then boggy moorland followed by extremely steep and rocky hill ascent. Slight scrambling by the out-and-back route described. If the full traverse is completed the scrambling is considerably harder and the route becomes Grade 5.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Car park on west bank of Abhain Coire Mhic Nobuil. 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: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 7 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 1014m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG868576

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Dearg

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (17)

Stage 1

Park in the car park on the west side of the Abhain Coire Mhic Nobuil, about three kilometres west of Torridon village. At the road turn right to cross the bridge and then immediately left onto the excellent stalkers path up the east side of the river. The path leads through beautiful pinewoods at first before open country is reached beyond a gate. There are grand views across the burn to Beinn Alligin - with a waterfall as foreground at one point - and to Beinn Dearg seen ahead. Continue along the path when it crosses a fine footbridge over the Allt Coire Mhic Nobuil.

Stage 2

Ignore a path forking right (behind Liathach, keeping to the main path which climbs and eventually crosses to the west side of the Allt a' Bhealaich at another footbridge. After another 0.5km or so a cairn is reached where the path forks - the left branch ascending towards the Horns of Alligin. Ignore this and take the right branch to follow the old path along the west side of the Bealach a' Chomhla. The path becomes increasingly rough and boggy; follow it for around another 0.5km before leaving it and heading across boggy ground, fording the burn to reach the foot of the west flank of Stuc Loch na Cabhaig, which rears intimidatingly steeply from the moor.

Stage 3

At the foot of the steep slopes is a broad tumble of boulders - it is best to avoid this on the north side, climbing steeply up heather beyond the rocks, before cutting to the right flank on steep grass and heather above. The ascent is very steep and careful route finding is needed.

Stage 4

A tier of broken rocks cuts right across the slope higher up - break left onto the true ridge line before reaching this. The ascent now continues over broken rocks but any crags can be avoided. At around 750m a shoulder is reached and from here a more defined ridge leads on towards the uppermost cone of Stuc Loch na Cabaig. There are sensational views looking back to Beinn Alligin.

Stage 5

Continue along the ridge which soon begins to ascend once more. Any real scrambling can easily be avoided on the right, and soon the summit of Stuc Loch na Cabhaig is reached. The panorama is superb all around, with Baosbheinn looking very fine to the northwest.

Stage 6

The main summit of Beinn Dearg is also well seen along the ridge to the south, with Loch a' Choire Mhòir to its east and Liathach beyond. Descend the ridge southwards; it is steep and rocky at first but leads down to a grassy bealach.

Stage 7

The ascent up the far side is similar, steepening near the top. Before the summit a rocky tier is reached - an exposed and sketchy path avoids this to the left, but it is easier and safer to ascend just slightly right of the ridge up a rocky staircase. The summit cairn is reached on the small plateau beyond.

Stage 8

The complete ridge traverse continues down the east ridge, which swings right and then left onto an impressive rocky tower. The descent of this tower is a tricky scramble with three steep tiers of rock which all need to be downclimbed by rock chimneys; beyond this the ridge leads down to a grassy bealach. The direct descent from here is dangerously steep and often barred by crags; some have found a route down a forbidding grassy gully near here, but a surer line is to instead continue east to Carn na Feola before making the descent - though even then the steepness is forbidding. Completing the whole ridge as described in this paragraph would raise the walk to Grade 5 - see the walk reports for further details.

Stage 9

Our route, however, avoids the more difficult scrambling by instead heading back the way you came. Return along the ridge and over the summit of Stuc Loch na Cabhaig - resist the temptation to shortcut down the west slope as there are many hidden crags. Instead retrace your ascent route in full to return to the start.

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