Càrn Mòr Dearg Mountain
Scottish Munro neighbouring Ben Nevis via arête
Càrn Mòr Dearg sits on the northeast ridge of Ben Nevis; hillwalkers use its famous arête to link summits and to gain high mountain views.
Càrn Mòr Dearg at a Glance#
About Càrn Mòr Dearg#
Càrn Mòr Dearg is a Scottish mountain in the Lochaber area of the Highlands, immediately adjacent to Ben Nevis, and has a summit elevation of about 1,220 metres. Its name is Gaelic and the mountain is classed as a Munro.
The principal feature is the Càrn Mòr Dearg arête, a narrow ridgeline about 1 kilometre long that provides a direct high-level link to the summit of Ben Nevis. Scrambling along the arête and the ridge walk are primary reasons climbers visit; the route is commonly combined with an ascent of Ben Nevis.
The mountain was formed by the same glacial and tectonic processes that created the Ben Nevis massif and has long been part of Highland hillwalking culture. It is managed as part of the surrounding mountain environment and accessed from Glen Nevis and nearby access points.
Situated in Lochaber, the peak sits immediately east-northeast of Ben Nevis and is within easy reach of the town of Fort William, the nearest major settlement and usual base for climbs in the area.
- Elevation and route: Summit elevation 1,220 metres, with a notable arête that links directly to the summit of Ben Nevis.
- Common route: Frequently climbed as part of the Càrn Mòr Dearg to Ben Nevis ridge traverse, often in the same outing as Ben Nevis itself.
How to Get to Càrn Mòr Dearg#
Typical approaches start from the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis near Fort William. Public buses connect Fort William to the visitor centre in summer; routes and timings vary seasonally.
Tips for Visiting Càrn Mòr Dearg#
- The Càrn Mòr Dearg Arete provides a dramatic ridge walk to Ben Nevis-experienced walkers should carry rope or alpine gear for poor conditions.
- Start from Glen Nevis or the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre; public buses connect Fort William to the trailheads in summer.
- Weather on the Aonach Eagach and neighboring ridges can be savage-check Mountain Bothy weather reports and local guides.
Best Time to Visit Càrn Mòr Dearg#
Summer months offer the safest window for climbing and ridge walks; shoulder seasons require alpine experience.
Weather & Climate near Càrn Mòr Dearg#
Càrn Mòr Dearg's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 12°C. Heavy rainfall (3318 mm/year), wettest in January.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 2° | -9° | 410 mm | overcast | 96% | 16.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.4h |
| February | Poor | -2° - 2° | -9° | 272 mm | overcast | 95% | 15.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.3h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 2° | -9° | 324 mm | overcast | 93% | 14.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 11.7h |
| April | Poor | -1° - 5° | -5° | 189 mm | overcast | 89% | 11.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Poor | 2° - 8° | -1° | 170 mm | overcast | 86% | 10.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 16.2h |
| June | Poor | 4° - 10° | 3° | 164 mm | overcast | 87% | 10.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.3h |
| July | Poor | 6° - 12° | 5° | 180 mm | overcast | 88% | 9.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 16.8h |
| August | Poor | 6° - 12° | 5° | 214 mm | overcast | 90% | 10.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 14.9h |
| September | Poor | 5° - 9° | 2° | 301 mm | overcast | 92% | 11.6 m/s | 0.5 low | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 6° | -3° | 351 mm | overcast | 94% | 13.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 3° | -7° | 365 mm | overcast | 96% | 15.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.0h |
| December | Poor | -2° - 2° | -9° | 378 mm | overcast | 96% | 14.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
