The mountain is typical of the region in that geologically it is made up of a mixture of sandstone and quartzite, it has a steep flanks and is rock-strewn.

The dome shaped summit is littered with red sandstone boulders and lacking in vegetation making its translated name of "red-headed brow"[2] especially appropriate.

Although it is possible to start from Annat at the head of Upper Loch Torridon, Maol Cheann-dearg is usually ascended from Coulags on the A890 road in Glen Carron where it is possible to park in a disused gravel pit.

The valley of the Fionn-amhainn is followed northerly passing the MBA bothy at Coire Fionnaraich, a fine shelter with a lone ash tree outside the front door.

Another 500 metres further on a path leaves the valley and goes west to the top of the Bealach a' Choire Ghairbh from where the south east ridge can be followed over broken quartzite and awkward boulders to reach the summit.