Upper Càrn Mòr Dearg Passage: Two Summits and the Arête to Ben Nevis’s Plateau: hiking in United Kingdom
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Upper Càrn Mòr Dearg Passage: Two Summits and the Arête to Ben Nevis’s Plateau

Distance
5.8 km
Time
3 h 49 min
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
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Route description

This upper Càrn Mòr Dearg passage begins on the mountain slope above the lower forest approaches. It reaches Càrn Dearg Meadhonach and Càrn Mòr Dearg, then follows the exposed rocky arête towards Ben Nevis’s upper plateau. The shape of the massif becomes especially clear here: successive summits give way to a narrow ridge, with the stony slope ahead completing the high passage. The selected portion ends on the plateau before the principal summit point. Plan the lower ascent, a separate extension to Ben Nevis’s summit and the valley descent in addition. For an experienced hillwalker, this is a striking part of a larger outing, requiring confidence on rock, navigation skills and weather suited to an exposed ridge.

Route status

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Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Route data was imported from GPX and has not been field-verified.

Last updated 12.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

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Community experience

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Follow Càrn Mòr Dearg’s distinctive ridge and connect two actual upper summits in one mountain passage. Clear weather gives the arête a powerful sense of space and the Ben Nevis massif’s form. Choose this stage after preparing the approach and return, when an exposed rocky ridge is the experience you want.
Length
5.8 km
Elevation gain
—
Surface
Нет данных
Upper Càrn Mòr Dearg Passage: Two Summits and the Arête to Ben Nevis’s Plateau: route photo 6 in United Kingdom

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car: Hard With children: No With a dog: No By bike: No With a stroller: No Mobile signal: No data

Nearby

Ben Nevis’s main summit, its summit memorial, the lower North Face Trail and CIC Hut belong to separate extensions or approaches. Do not treat the hut or summit shelter as guaranteed accommodation or visitor services. The usual western zigzags form a different mountain outing. Nevis Range’s gondola goes to another area and does not replace the approach to this ridge.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
A lower bus arrival at Torlundy is available on request on services between Fort William and Nevis Range or Spean Bridge. Confirm the specific journey and requested stop beforehand. A separate long walking approach then leads towards the upper departure. Buses do not reach the first mountain point; the descent and return transport require their own plan.
By car
For the lower northern approach, follow North Face signs from the A82 at Torlundy to the forest car park. A separate walking ascent starts beyond it. Vehicles cannot reach the upper departure. Check forest-road restrictions before travelling and select a permitted lower approach with your return in mind.
Parking
There is no parking at the mountain departure itself. For a separate northern approach, Forestry and Land Scotland lists the lower North Face car park at £1 per hour or £3 per day, payable by card or RingGo. Check signs and access before visiting, as a July road-work notice remains on the website. Add the entire approach and descent to this upper stage.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Càrn Dearg Meadhonach the upper summit before the next ascent.
Càrn Mòr Dearg the actual summit on the high passage.
Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête the exposed rocky ridge towards Ben Nevis’s plateau.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainДанные по набору высоты уточняются.
SurfaceТип покрытия пока не определён.
Риски The arête has exposure on its sides, rock blocks and places requiring confident foot placement. Upper-slope path traces can be difficult to distinguish. Strong wind, wet rock, snow and mist change the conditions considerably; a short line on a map does not make the outing easy. Snow calls for winter skills and appropriate equipment. Carrying a rope alone does not make up for limited experience.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 3 h 49 min
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Plan it within a full mountain day, allowing separate time for the lower approach and a safe descent. A single duration for the entire outing is not established: it depends on your lower paths, conditions and the group’s experience. Start the overall outing early and decide a turnaround time before entering the ridge. Finishing the upper stage still leaves the valley return.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
Prefer long daylight with dry rock, modest wind and a snow-free ridge. Check a mountain forecast even in summer. Late autumn and winter shorten daylight, while snow turns the traverse into a separate winter mountain undertaking. Postpone when conditions exceed the experience of the whole group.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Grippy mountain footwear
Map, compass and navigation skills
Waterproof clothing
Warm layers and spare gloves
Food and water for the approach, passage and descent
A headtorch for every participant
Charged phone and emergency insulation
Winter equipment and the skills to use it in snow conditions

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

A lower bus arrival at Torlundy is available on request on services between Fort William and Nevis Range or Spean Bridge. Confirm the specific journey and requested stop beforehand. A separate long walking approach then leads towards the upper departure. Buses do not reach the first mountain point; the descent and return transport require their own plan

Is this route suitable for children?

Do not treat this as a basic child-friendly route: check difficulty, length, and trail conditions before going.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 5.8 km, hard.

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