Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag via Loch na Sealga

This is a long, committing mountain day through one of the wildest parts of the Northwest Highlands, linking Beinn Dearg Mòr and Beinn Dearg Bheag on a route of roughly 34 to 35.25 km (21 to 22 miles) with about 1,500 m (4,920 ft) of ascent. Most descriptions for this outing start from the track by the Gruinard River at grid reference NG961911, near the small roadside parking area by Inchina / the start of the Gruinard River track off the A832, west of Braemore Junction and southeast of Gruinard Bay. Walkhighlands lists the route at 35.25 km with 13–15 hours, and describes the terrain as a landrover track to Loch na Sealga, then rough path, followed by steep pathless mountain ground with boulders and scree. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The day begins relatively gently, which can be deceptive. The first several kilometres follow the estate track up the Gruinard River, giving fast progress compared with what comes later. This lower section is useful for settling into pace, but it also means many parties arrive at the mountains having already covered a substantial distance before the real climbing starts. The route is usually tackled as a full out-and-back or broad circuit, and even though the peaks are “only” Corbetts, the remoteness, rough ground, and length make it feel much bigger than the statistics suggest. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Getting to the start

By car, the usual access is from the A832 between Braemore Junction and Gairloch, heading for the start of the track up the Gruinard River at NG961911, near Inchina. Parking is limited and informal rather than a large dedicated trailhead, so early arrival is sensible and considerate parking matters. The nearest major service point is Ullapool, which is the most practical base for fuel, food, and accommodation before or after the hike. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

By public transport, access is poor. Walkhighlands states there is no public transport to the start of the Gruinard approach. Some broader route notes in the area mention an infrequent bus between Gairloch and Ullapool, but hikers should not rely on this without checking current timetables and exact roadside stopping points in advance. In practical terms, this is much easier with a car or a pre-arranged taxi from Ullapool or Gairloch. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

What the route feels like on the ground

From the trackhead, the approach beside the Gruinard River is straightforward and often the easiest walking of the day. After the long approach, the route trends toward Loch na Sealga, where the character changes: the path becomes rougher, wetter, and less efficient, and the sense of isolation increases sharply. The mountains rise abruptly from the lochside, with Beinn Dearg Mòr especially known for its dramatic sandstone architecture, steep corries, and sharp summit ridge. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

The climb onto the hills is where the “medium” rating starts to feel conservative. There is steep, pathless ground, loose stone, boulder fields, and sections where line choice matters. Beinn Dearg Bheag can be included by a very steep north ridge; higher up, that line becomes a moderate scramble over rocky towers, so it is not just a simple grassy plod. If avoiding scrambling terrain, careful route choice is important. Beinn Dearg Mòr is usually gained from the bealach above the corrie headwall, where the ascent steepens again on mixed grass, scree, and rock. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

Expect the toughest going to come not only on the ascents, but also on the traverses and descent. The roughness around the corrie and loch can be tiring late in the day, especially in wet weather when rock and grass become slippery. Even strong hikers should budget generously for time because the combination of distance, remoteness, and uneven terrain slows progress more than the raw numbers suggest. (walkhighlands.co.uk