Chno Dearg is usually climbed from the hamlet of Fersit (); as a rule the adjacent Munro of Stob Coire Sgriodain is also included in the ascent. The route from Fersit offers a natural round of Coire an Lochain, taking in both Munros, with a brief detour to take in the top of Meall Garbh. However the proximity of the West Highland Line in the area offers walkers the alternative of starting from Corrour railway station and climbing Beinn na Lap first and then continuing north over Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain to finish at Tulloch railway station to catch the evening train.