Beinn Dearg (Ullapool)

Beinn Dearg, at 1,084 metres, is a vast and complex mountain at the centre of a fine group of Munros in the Inverlael and Strath Vaich forests south of Ullapool, its impressive cliffs and corries making it the highest peak north of the A835.

The route starts from a car park south of Inverlael Bridge on the A835. A track leads through forestry before emerging onto an excellent old stalkers' path up Gleann na Sguaib, following the River Lael with grand views ahead to Beinn Dearg. The path crosses Coire Mathair Lathail and climbs past the beautiful Lochan Lathail, enclosed by steep slopes, before a series of zig-zags eases the ascent to the barren, stony Bealach an Lochain Uaine. From here, the route heads south-east across a wide bealach to meet a "destitution wall" — a massive stone wall built as famine relief work in the 19th century — climbing steeply alongside it over bouldery ground to a gap, from where a short traverse west of south reaches the huge summit cairn, with hugely extensive views across Assynt and Coigach and An Teallach well seen to the north-west.

Most walkers continue to the second Munro, Cona' Mheall, retracing steps to the bealach before heading south-east and up to its summit ridge across the wild corrie of Coire Ghranda; the round can be extended further to include Meall nan Ceapraichean and Eididh nan Clach Geala for the full four-Munro traverse.

The four-Munro round from Inverlael is around 25-30 kilometres with roughly 1,700-1,900 metres of ascent, typically ten to twelve hours or more — a genuinely epic day requiring the height-gain equivalent of climbing Snowdon from sea level, followed by three further descents and reascents.

Much of the terrain beyond the stalkers' paths is pathless and rocky, and the descent from Beinn Dearg's steep upper slopes demands care — full navigation skills are essential given the remote, complex nature of this mountain group, particularly if extending to the full round.

Parking at Inverlael is free; there is a regular bus service between Ullapool and Inverness passing on the A835.