Càrn Mòr Dearg is best known as a vantage point with incredible views of the north face of Ben Nevis, and as a waypoint on route to the summit of The Ben. In any other location, its height and its dramatic ridges would make it a stand-out peak in its own right, but here it will always be overshadowed by its neighbour.
It is fitting then that Càrn Mòr Dearg's best-known route is often considered to be part of Ben Nevis. However, the most dramatic sections of the eponymous Arête are on the Càrn Mòr Dearg side of the col, and climbers ascending Ben Nevis from the back of Coire Leis cannot really claim to have climbed the route.
Of course, not all of Càrn Mòr Dearg's charms relate to The Ben. Its northern top, Càrn Dearg Meadhonach, has a dramatic east ridge which gives a worthwhile mountaineering route well away from the crowds on Ben Nevis. Even further from the beaten track are the mixed routes on the north flank of that ridge, certainly a venue for the connoisseur.
Arguably the best way to experience Càrn Mòr Dearg is to link these two ridges. Approach the East Ridge of Càrn Dearg Meadhonach from the Nevis Range gondola, climb it, continue over the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête onto Ben Nevis, descend into the Allt a' Mhuilinn (see below for descent options) and return to the ski centre car park via the forestry tracks. This gives an excellent circuit of around 18km and 1000m of ascent (not including the gondola!).