CÀRN MÒR DEARG

THE STORY

The little brother of Ben Nevis, joined together by a sharp ridgeline and facing the imposing north face of The Ben. That narrow swooping ridge is Alpine difficulty in winter, and is known as the CMD - the Càrn Mòr Dearg arête. The meaning is 'big red cairn' - it is a cone of pinkish granite rock, contrasting the grey andesite cliffs of Ben Nevis. The mor in the name is due to the other two Carn Dearg in this range, as this peak is the tallest of the three, and at 4,003 feet is the first of the nine 4k mountains.

THE DETAILS

Mountain name, how to say it, what it means   |   its height   |   Mountain region; closest town(s) [may be some distance away tho!]   |   the view-points

THE VIEW-POINTS

1. Sgùrr a' Mhaim: viewed from across Glen Nevis, the summit peeps up above the CMD and The Ben frames the left side of the shot
   
2. Càrn Dearg: on the path up to Ben Nevis, detour to this limb and capture both hills around Coire Leis
   
3. Allt a' Mhuilinn: climb up into the massive corrie and use the river to form a leading line to the hill
   
4. Lochaber Farm: just beyond the farm shop are a few parking areas, and they provide an excellent end-on view of the ridge
5. Sgùrr a' Bhuic: jutting out from Aonach Beag, this peak gives an excellent view of the triangular form of the hill and surrounding corries

THE LOCALE

Where to start - so many interesting features around this hill. The Ben is the most obvious, and the CIC Hut is almost as famous. Then there is the Arête - the knife-edge rim looping around to the north face of Ben Nevis. There is quite a steep walk just to get into Coire Leis, following the Allt a' Mhuillin and its many waterfalls. This peak delivers a stunning view-point to the surrounding area.  

ALONG THE WAY:

Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe |  Càrn Mòr Dearg arête  |  Càrn Mòr Dearg  |  Coire Leis  |  Allt a' Mhuillin  |  Steall bridge and falls

NEAREST BOTHY:

Meanach (but quite some distance away)

USUALLY WALKED WITH:

m001 Ben Nevis

PLANNING

These links lead to the variety of walks, weather and maps to aid in planning your adventure to portray this hill.

FURTHER INFORMATION FOR THIS MUNRO:

McNeish "The Munros" 1999 p.73  |  SMC Hillwalkers 2013 p.81  |  Walkhighlands "The Munros" 2019 p.385  |  Bothy Bible 2017 p.157

• Walk 1: from Polldubh, parking near to the falls and ascending from Steall
  
• Walk 2: from the North Face Car Park into the corrie to the CIC hut and then straight up
  
• Walk 3: from the north face car park but this time going around the CMD to Ben Nevis