Beinn Dearg Mòr and Beinn Dearg Bheag, Gruinard

Summary

Beinn Dearg Mòr and Bheag rise across Loch na Sealga from mighty An Teallach, but are in no way overshadowed by their famous neighbour. These magnificent peaks have dramatic rock architecture, a very remote but spectacular location, and superlative views; they rank amongst not just the finest Corbetts but amongst the finest of all Scotland's mountains.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Landrover track to Loch na Sealga, then rough path above loch. Pathless up into corrie; steep ground with boulders and scree on the hills.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Start of track up Gruinard River at NG961911. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 35.25km / 22 miles
Time: 13 - 15 hours
Ascent: 1450m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NG961911

Summits Climbed

Corbett: Beinn Dearg Mòr
Corbett: Beinn Dearg Beag

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

The walk starts where the track leaves the A832 on the west side of the bridge over the Gruinard River - there is limited verge parking just to the west. The two Beinn Deargs are already in distant view from here and remain so for almost the entire approach. The track soon leads to a locked gate, with a small pedestrian gate alongside. The landrover track from here to the foot of Loch na Sealga is rough and stony but the landscape is very beautiful; this 9km could be completed on a mountain bike by a confident cyclist, saving perhaps upto an hour each way. After a few kilometres the track passes a wooden sculpture of an arch; later it passes through an area of regenerating woodland protected by gates at either end.

Stage 2

After 7.5km it crosses a concrete bridge over the Allt Loch Ghiubhsachain, and 1.5km further ends at the loch (the boat house shown on Ordnance Survey maps does not exist). From here head south along the southern shores of the loch. A rough, narrow path keeps right by the loch at first, but after a kilometre or so climbs above it to avoid a rocky buttress. The path then continues across the rocky landscape; it becomes faint and boggy at one or two points before later becoming much clearer as conditions underfoot improve. If you prefer to make a traverse of Beinn Dearg Bheag you can strike off the path to tackle its very steep north ridge; higher up this route becomes a moderate scramble over several rocky towers before reaching the summit.

Stage 3

Our route instead keeps to the path which passes a ruined shieling and descends to run closer to the loch once more. After 4km or so of this the path reaches the Allt Doir' a Mhadaidh. Leave the path somewhere around here to aim south up the moorland to join the Allt an Doire Gaineumhaich and follow the east side of this burn for the climb up into Coire Toll an Lochain, between the two Beinn Deargs.

Stage 4

Once up into the corrie there is some boggier ground around the loch. This can be passed on either side. The next objective is the bealach above the corrie headwall; much of the ground around the corrie is steep, and the best ascent is to head up the grassier ground where the rock changes from dark sandstone (on the left) to paler rock (on the right) at the back of the corrie.

Stage 5

The wide bealach is reached at around 590 metres. The ascent of both mountains can then be made from here. Tackling Beinn Dearg Mòr first, the ridge first rises gently in a series of broken sandstone terraces. At just over 700m the slope steepens considerably with scree; a worn path has now been formed up this slope, easing the ascent with a series of zig-zags, but it is rough and loose and care is still needed. The grassy ridge above is reached suddenly at a small cairn.

Stage 6

From here the views are spectacular in all directions. A broad and easy angled ridge leads towards the summit of Beinn Dearg Mòr , narrowing only as the large cairn is reached. The sensational cliffs and rocky aretes all around make this rank amongst the finest summits on the mainland.

Stage 7

The return to the bealach is back the same way, but many hillwalkers can't resist the very short detour out to the top of the buttress seen just south of the summit. This is linked by a simple grassy ridge but the top is a very airy and exposed spot indeed - and littered with eagle pellets at the time of our visit.

Stage 8

Once back at the bealach, the ridge to Beinn Dearg Bheag is grassy at first. Higher up the ridge steepens and is covered with angular boulders; there are traces of a path and the ground is not so loose as on Beinn Dearg Mòr . The views back across the corrie continue to be superb.

Stage 9

The summit of Beinn Dearg Bheag is another very fine one though completely different to its sibling; the dramatic north ridge of rocky towers leading the eye out to sea. All that remains now is to head back down to the bealach, then down to Loch na Sealga for the long walk back along the south side of the loch, followed by the even longer walk back along the track by the Gruinard River.

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