Carn Mor Dearg

Carn Mor Dearg is the eighth highest mountain in Scotland, although it is over-shadowed by its more famous neighbour, Ben Nevis. It is most commonly climbed as part of an ascent of the Ben via the narrow arete that joins the two peaks.

This is a long walk that calls for a head for heights and some scrambling ability. Although the arete is not technically difficult, it is long and exposed (like Crib Goch but longer). Snow can stay on the ridge until quite late in the year.

The route can be started either from the car park in the woods at Torlundy or from the start of the Ben Nevis tourist path. The latter option involves following the tourist path to the halfway lochan and skirting around the base of the North face to approach Carn Mor Dearg. It is then a steep 500m climb to reach the first peak. The alternative option approaches Carn Mor Dearg from the northwest, which allows a more gentle ascent. However, it's a much longer walk back to the starting point. The best option is perhaps to be dropped off at Torlundy and picked up from the end of the tourist path at the end of the day, assuming an accommodating driver can be found.