Càrn Dearg (Loch Pattack)

Càrn Dearg, at 1,034 metres, is the easternmost of the four Munros forming the great ridge running from Beinn Èibhinn through Aonach Beag to Geal-chàrn, one of the remotest mountain groups in Scotland, above Culra in the Ben Alder Forest.

The route starts from the site of the former Culra bothy — closed due to asbestos, requiring a tent for anyone staying overnight — following the long walk-in from Dalwhinnie of around 15 kilometres. From Culra, a faint path heads west towards Càrn Dearg, soon petering out into steep heather slopes; following the line of a usually-dry grassy gully eases the going somewhat. As the slope moderates, the route curves left to gain the ridge proper, giving much better underfoot conditions to the summit, marked by a large cairn with fine views to Ben Alder and its Leachas ridges across the glen.

From the summit, the route descends west onto grassier ground, crossing a bealach and the minor Munro Top of An Diollaid before dropping to a second, lower bealach with Coire Cheap and its circular lochan to the right, and the dramatic Lancet Edge cradling Loch an Sgòir to the left. From here a steep climb up Aisre Ghobhainn leads towards Geal-chàrn, the next Munro in the traverse.

Most parties combine all four Munros of this ridge in a single long day from a camp at Culra, typically eight hours or more for the full traverse, or split the group across a two-day itinerary alongside the separate Ben Alder and Beinn Bheòil pairing.

This is committing, remote terrain throughout — the initial ascent from Culra is steep and pathless, and the whole area demands full navigation skills, self-sufficiency, and genuine backcountry experience given the distance from any help.

There is no vehicle or public transport access beyond Dalwhinnie; the walk-in to Culra alone is a serious undertaking, though many parties use a mountain bike for the approach tracks.