Sgorr Dhearg, Beinn a' Bheithir
Munro peak on Beinn a' Bheithir, the Ballachuilish Horseshoe
Beinn a' Bheithir dominates the view above Ballachuilish and is a complex mountain with several ridges, coires and summits. Sgorr Dhearg is the highest peak on the mountain.Sgorr Dhearg
Height | 1024m |
Prominence | 729m |
Meaning | Red peak |
Lists | Munro, 107 |
Location | Appin and Beinn a' Bheithir, Northwest Argyll and Appin |
Grid Ref | NN040555 |
Lat/Lon | 56.65389, -5.17195 |
Sgorr Dearg is the highest peak on Beinn a' Bheithir, the complex mountain encircling Gleann a'Chaolais just south of Ballachulish. Due to it's shape, Beinn a'Bheithir is often referred to as the 'Ballachulish Horseshoe'.
Sgorr Dhearg summit is predominantly scree and is at the apex of three spurs. Its western spur connects to Sgorr Dhonuill, the other Munro summit on Beinn a'Bheither. The northern spur leads directly to forestry and with steep slopes either side is rarely walked on. The north-easterly spur travels to a minor summit Sgorr Bhan then splits into two more spurs, one of which forms 'Schoolhouse Ridge' - a route up which is a delightful and easy grade scramble.
The bealach between Sgorr Dearg and Sgorr Dhonuill is at a height of 744m and with a distance of under 2km between these Munro summits, most hillwalkers will bag both peaks in one outing.
Routes up Sgorr Dhearg
Beinn a' Bheithir from Ballachulish | |
On forestry tracks lower down with grass covered terrain and boulderfield higher up, this is a fine there-and-back route up Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill - the two Munro summits on Beinn a' Bheithir. Peaks : 2 Munros
Ascent : 1300m (4270ft) Distance : 12km (7m) Time : 5:10hr |
Beinn a' Bheithir via Schoolhouse Ridge | |
An easy rock-scrambling route aiming up up 'Schoolhouse Ridge' on Beinn a' Bheithir's narrow eastern shoulder. Taking in the Munro summits of Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill, there are options including a fast descent on scree in Sgorr Dhonuill's northern coires. Peaks : 2 Munros, 1 Munro Top
Ascent : 1350m (4430ft) Distance : 14km (9m) Time : 5:45hr |