Ben Nevis Hiking Guide
Welcome to the Ben Nevis Hike Scotland Information, your complete useful resource for conquering the very best peak within the British Isles. Nestled within the coronary heart of the breathtaking Scottish Highlands, Ben Nevis stands proudly at 1,345 meters above sea degree, drawing numerous adventurers from across the globe. Whether or not you’re a seasoned hiker looking for a brand new problem or a nature fanatic trying to find awe-inspiring vistas, this information is right here to equip you with important info, professional recommendation, and prime tricks to make your Ben Nevis hike an unforgettable expertise. With its rugged terrain, unpredictable climate situations, and engaging historical past, this iconic mountain guarantees an exhilarating journey like no different. So lace up your boots, pack your necessities, and allow us to navigate you thru the highlights of this outstanding journey.
Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain within the UK at 1345 m excessive and doing the Ben Nevis hike is on many individuals’s bucket lists. It was undoubtedly on mine and I not too long ago obtained to climb Ben Nevis in early March to tick it off!
Although we had no views on the prime I really feel like that basically provides to getting the basic Ben Nevis expertise since this Munro in Scotland is thought for its unpredictable climate. It was very completely different to my first Munro expertise on Ben Lomond!
Hundreds of hikers attain the summit of Ben Nevis yearly with many doing it as a part of the three Peaks Problem the place hikers tackle Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike within the Lake District and Mt Snowdon in Snowdonia Nationwide Park.
Ben Nevis is within the Grampian Mountain vary close to Fort William and was as soon as an lively volcano that exploded and collapsed inwards on itself tens of millions of years in the past.
There are a few common methods to rise up Ben Nevis with the most well-liked, and best, being the Ben Nevis mountain path. The mountain monitor or the ‘vacationer’ path is well-maintained and comparatively large and is simple to navigate too.
There’s additionally the tougher route on Ben Nevis’ north face. Although I haven’t but tackled Ben Nevis’ North Face, I’ve included a number of particulars about it under so you’ll be able to see if it’s best for you. However do remember to do extra analysis on it.
If you happen to’re seeking to tackle the problem of the Ben Nevis hike, you’ll discover every part you want under from easy methods to get to the trailhead, what to anticipate on the hike and what to pack for a enjoyable and protected climb on Ben Nevis!
On the lookout for extra munros to bag? Try Stuc a Chroin close to Callander!
Tips on how to get to Ben Nevis, Fort William
Most individuals will select to remain in Fort William earlier than or after climbing Ben Nevis. As the biggest city within the space, Fort William has loads of inns and Airbnbs in addition to supermarkets and locations for drinks and meals.
Tips on how to get to Fort William
There are numerous methods to get to Fort William and clearly easy methods to get there depends upon the place you’re coming from.
If you happen to’re coming from London or close by for the weekend, I extremely advocate travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper practice. It’s far more environmentally pleasant than flying, contains your night time’s lodging and goes all the way in which from London straight to Fort William so is simple too!
If you happen to’re coming from Glasgow, count on the drive to be round 3 hours relying on site visitors, and barely longer for those who’re coming from Edinburgh.
Tips on how to get to the trailhead for Ben Nevis
Attending to the trailhead for Ben Nevis is comparatively simple, most hikers to Ben Nevis begin from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre.
There may be parking right here, although it will get extraordinarily busy through the summer time months, so arrive early or stroll/cycle or take the bus from Fort William.
In the case of easy methods to get to Ben Nevis from Fort William, the trailhead is a couple of 35 minutes stroll from the centre of city, or you may get the five hundred, N47, N46 of 919 buses from Fort William to Ben Nevis.
If this parking is full, you too can park just a little additional up the highway on the Braveheart automobile park, the Decrease Falls automobile park or, for those who’re doing the North Face up Ben Nevis, then park on the Ben Nevis North Face car park.
Parking on the Glen Nevis Customer Centre prices £8 a day and it’s a good suggestion to have some cash because the machines don’t all the time settle for playing cards.
There are bogs on the Glen Nevis customer centre that are the one ones you’ll see at some point of your hike. If you happen to’re visiting earlier than April or September, you’ll discover the bogs are closed so if you could go, be sure to step effectively off the path and pack out any rest room paper you employ – don’t simply go away them.
I like to recommend getting a Kula cloth for wild wees! They’re antimicrobial fabric you should utilize in place of bathroom paper.
When you’ve parked up, head in the direction of the guests centre after which cross over the bridge, following indicators pointing you hiker’s left onto the Ben Nevis path.
What to know earlier than climbing Ben Nevis Scotland
Earlier than you set off in your Ben Nevis hike, you must test the climate situations to verify doing the hike is each protected and that you just’re ready for the situations.
When planning your Ben Nevis hike, keep in mind that the climate situations in Fort William don’t imply the identical climate situations on the summit of Ben Nevis. Plus, the Ben Nevis climate could be very changeable and I like to recommend all the time packing your waterproofs with you. You by no means know when it’s going to drizzle or pour with rain and it’s Scotland in any case!
To remain updated with the newest climate situations, test the Met Office Mountain Weather or Mountain Forecast for Ben Nevis. You may also take a look on the Ben Nevis webcams (although keep in mind these are for the ski resort which is decrease down than the Ben Nevis summit).
The common annual temperature on the summit is under 0°C, so it’s necessary to be absolutely ready earlier than setting off and bear in mind to pack your layers! Try my day climbing necessities.
Along with checking the Ben Nevis climate, you need to all the time abide by the next:
- At all times apply go away no hint ethics and pack out something you’re taking with you.
- Follow pre-existing trails to keep away from eroding the panorama
- At all times pack layers and waterproofs – that is Scotland in any case!
- Inform somebody the place you’re going and once you count on to be again.
- Ensure you stroll together with your 10 necessities.
Navigating whereas on the path: You’ll find this hike on AllTrails which is my common go-to for planning my hikes, navigating, checking path situations and, if climbing solo, ensuring others know I’m protected. The OS Map app is likely one of the greatest climbing apps for trails within the UK and is rather like having a whole lot of OS maps in your pocket!
When is the most effective time to climb Ben Nevis?
The perfect time to hike Ben Nevis is between Could and September when you’ve gotten the most effective possibilities of clear skies and cheap climate situations. Nevertheless, in Scotland, one can’t count on constant and dependable sunshine all through spring or summer time, so it’s necessary to not assume that the situations are appropriate simply because it’s June or July.
If you happen to’re an novice walker, it’s really helpful that you just solely try to hike Ben Nevis through the summer time months (June-September). It is because there may be much less more likely to be snow on the path which may make your hike slippery and harmful.
The summer time months additionally coincide with the busiest season within the Scottish Highlands, with hundreds of tourists going to Glencoe, driving the North Coast 500, or simply having fun with Scotland.
If you happen to’re trying to summit Ben Nevis in winter, you have to be an skilled hiker with appropriate specialist gear, clothes, and information. Keep in mind too that you just’ll have fewer sunlight hours and extra chance of harsher climate situations.
Climbing Ben Nevis on the mountain monitor | Tips on how to hike Ben Nevis
Beneath I’ve supplied particulars on the hike to Ben Nevis by way of the mountain monitor which is the route we took in early March.
There may be additionally an summary of the North Face path up Ben Nevis for individuals who have the expertise to tackle that path.
The Ben Nevis customer centre to Lochan Meall An T-Suidhe
From the automobile park, make your means towards the customer centre and comply with the indicators left for Ben Nevis. You’ll cross a bridge over the river and comply with a path between two fields.
You’ll see the Ben Nevis Inn in your left (which is a superb spot for a post-hike pint!) after which cross over a sty to hitch the primary monitor going up the summit of Ben Nevis.
The trail begins to go uphill immediately earlier than regularly turning into extra of a reasonable climb. The trail is simple to comply with and never too tough by way of terrain although it’s rocky and you have to be sporting good climbing boots or sneakers or path runners reasonably than trainers (path runners have extra tread on them!)
You’ll get views from the get-go and even when the summit of Ben Neis is shrouded in clouds (because it so typically is), you must be capable to get some views of the encompassing valleys and hills.
Proceed onwards, stick with the paths till the trail flattens out and you’ll see Lochan Meall An T-Suidhe (additionally referred to as Midway Lake).
This can be a great spot for a break and a few snacks.
Lochan Meall An T-Suidhe to The Summit Plateau
On the Lochan (small lake), comply with the trail to your proper to proceed making your means uphill.
Persevering with on, the terrain will change from inexperienced landscapes to extra rocky environment, transitioning to rubble in the direction of the ultimate half.
The trail zig-zags its means up the mountain and it’s round this level that we started to lose the views we’d been having fun with up till then! It’s additionally the place we needed to change to some microspikes on our sneakers for the final a part of the hike.
Maintain trudging away at this uphill, take breaks when wanted after which earlier than you understand it you’ll be on the summit plateau with not a lot left to get to the summit!
Summit Plateau to Ben Nevis Summit
There’s a quick however steep part that brings you out to the summit of Ben Nevis. Congratulations! You’ve simply hiked as much as the highest of the UK’s highest mountain!
The summit is marked by a trig level and cairns and there’s additionally The Previous Observatory which opened in 1883 and was used to get hourly meteorological information for nearly 20 years. Nowadays, it presents shelter in emergency conditions.
If you happen to’ve lucked out and also you’ve hiked up Ben Nevis on a transparent day, you’ll be capable to see for miles round you.
Whereas we didn’t luck out, we did get to observe some climbers arising on the North Face with their ropes, harnesses, ice axes and different mountaineering gear.
We didn’t keep on the prime too lengthy, earlier than heading again down the trail on the way in which we got here all the way in which again to the automobile.
The descent from Ben Nevis is the place you may want some climbing poles. It’s a great distance and nonetheless tiring although you’re going downhill. Having poles may help take a few of the weight off your knees!
Ben Nevis strolling route by way of Carn Mor Dearg Arête
The Carn Mor Dearg Arête, or The North Face of Ben Nevis, is a difficult and rewarding route for knowledgeable hikers each by way of health and talent.
This route follows a ridge with some nice views however does require scrambling that’s not for the fainthearted.
The path begins from the North Face automobile park at Torlundy and traverses not one however two Munros, the Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis.
This route will also be reached by following the Mountain Observe to the midway lochan after which taking the left fork whereas the proper fork continues alongside the Mountain Observe.
The Carn Mor Dearg Arête is an extended and extra strenuous stroll than the Mountain Observe, taking about 10-11 hours with scrambles throughout boulders on his model of the Ben Nevis stroll.
Stats for the Ben Nevis climbing routes
Beneath are the stats for 2 of the primary Ben Nevis routes. Of the Ben Nevis strolling routes under, the primary is the simpler of the 2.
Additionally, keep in mind that these instances and stats are estimates and shouldn’t be taken as gospel. At all times do some extra analysis on the strolling routes up Ben Nevis with different web sites and maps, resembling OS maps.
OS Maps are superior for climbing within the UK. I’ve by no means discovered something fairly like them when in different nations. They’ve all options like church buildings, rivers, peaks, viewpoints and extra. You may get paper maps (that are nice for locating new locations), and their app is tremendous helpful too.
Ben Nevis by way of the mountain monitor (Ben Nevis simple route)
- Ben Nevis hike Distance: 17 km
- Ben Nevis hike time: 5-8+ hours
- Ben Nevis hike elevation acquire: 1,341 m
- Ben Nevis hike problem: Strenuous
- Trail map via AllTrails+
Strolling Ben Nevis North Face | Carn Mor Dearg Arête
- Distance: 18 km
- Period: 8-10+ hours
- Elevation: 1,542 m
- Issue: Strenuous, not really helpful for many particularly in winter.
- Trail map via AllTrails+
What to pack for climbing Ben Nevis
What to pack for this hike depends upon what season you’re climbing in.
- Try my day hike packing listing right here.
- If you happen to’re climbing in summer time you must pack sunscreen, sun shades, layers, water and bug spray in addition to every part within the 10 necessities for climbing listing.
- Right here is what to put on climbing in scorching climate
- Try this submit on the most effective leggings for climbing or what to put on climbing in summer time for extra particulars and my gear suggestions.
- If you happen to’re climbing in winter after the snow has began falling you’ll want microspikes on the very least. If there may be loads of snow you’ll in all probability want snowshoes.
- You also needs to take loads of layers together with a fleece layer, a puffy insulated jacket and a wind and waterproof outer layer. Hats and gloves are additionally essential in addition to a good backpack to maintain every part in.
- You also needs to pack water and a few snacks too to maintain you going as they’re a part of the 10 necessities for climbing!
- Planning a climbing date? Try what to put on on a climbing date however nonetheless look cool.
Along with the above, many individuals will need climbing poles to assist them stay upright within the snow, and to save lots of their knees a bit on the downhill.
Within the UK it appears far more widespread to make use of mountaineering boots and crampons than it did throughout my 6 years of climbing in Canada.
In Canada, crampons are usually reserved for critical mountaineers crossing icefields and glaciers and busy, well-trodden paths, just like the route up Ben Nevis are doable in microspikes which is what I used and had completely no points with.
Nevertheless, for those who really feel uncomfortable at any level, there’s no disgrace in turning again. Higher protected than sorry!
On the lookout for an ideal simple hike in Scotland? Try this Ben A’an climbing information within the Trossachs!
The place to remain for climbing Ben Nevis
If you happen to’re planning to hike Ben Nevis, the very best mountain within the UK, I like to recommend basing your self in or round Fort William within the western Scottish Highlands.
From the city centre, you’ll be able to simply attain the primary place to begin for the Ben Nevis climb in just a little over half-hour on foot or it’s only a 5-minute drive away.
We stayed in Fort William for an evening having travelled up from Doune the place we have been staying and our associates arising from Glasgow. On Saturday we took a stroll in Glencoe, stayed in Fort William after which tackled Ben Nevis on Sunday earlier than heading again to Doune and Glasgow afterwards.
A number of the greatest locations to remain in Fort Willam embrace:
- Ben Nevis Inn & Bunkhouse (proper by the path)
- Black Sheep Bunkhouse is a extra budget-friendly choice not removed from the centre of Fort William
- The Garrison is a trendy resort within the centre of Fort William that features a nice breakfast.
Last ideas on the Ben Nevis hike
Mountaineering Ben Nevis, the very best mountain within the British Isles, is a difficult and rewarding expertise for lively travellers and eager hikers.
On this information to the Ben Nevis hike, I’ve shared my journey on the mountain monitor to Ben Nevis summit in addition to what to pack and the place to remain.
Earlier than climbing Ben Nevis, all the time be sure to’ve packed your required 10 climbing necessities, have loads of layers and appropriate footwear, have checked the Ben Nevis climate situations and have informed somebody the place you’re going and when they need to count on you to be again.
FAQs about climbing Ben Nevis
The place is Ben Nevis?
Ben Nevis is located in Scotland within the Scottish Highlands and is a part of the Nevis vary within the Grampian mountains. The city closest to Ben Nevis is Fort William, which is a number of hours north of Glasgow.
What route ought to I take to the Ben Nevis summit?
If you happen to’re questioning what path to take up Ben Nevis, the very best mountain within the British Isles, it depends upon your climbing and mountaineering expertise and health.
There are two most important routes to the highest of Ben Nevis, each various in problem.
The Mountain Path, also called the Pony Observe, Vacationer Route or Ben Path, is the most well-liked and best path to the highest.
For a problem, the Carn Mor Dearg Arete route includes a protracted scramble alongside the traverse of the arête and is really helpful for knowledgeable hikers.
Is climbing Snowdon tougher than Ben Nevis?
In the case of problem, Snowdon and Ben Nevis are related, although the problem degree might differ primarily based on the route chosen. Nevertheless, Ben Nevis in Scotland is roughly 300 meters taller than Snowdon, and the steepness of the summit might make it really feel even tougher to climb.
How arduous is it to climb Ben Nevis?
The problem of climbing Ben Nevis depends upon the route you select and your degree of expertise. For these involved about not making it to the highest, the Pony Observe/Mountain Path is the most suitable choice, whereas these looking for a problem can select a tougher route
How harmful is Ben Nevis stroll?
As for security, the hazard degree depends upon which of the Ben Nevis routes you selected. Some routes have unfastened scree and rock, making them riskier than switchback paths. Mountaineering all the time includes some degree of danger, however being well-prepared and knowledgeable may help guarantee a protected climb up Ben Nevis.
How excessive is Ben Nevis?
Ben Nevis is 1,345m excessive making it the very best peak within the UK.
The place does Ben Nevis begin?
Most individuals begin the Ben Nevis hike from the Glen Nevis customer centre simply exterior of Fort William.
How lengthy to hike Ben Nevis?
The period of the Ben Nevis hike varies relying on which route you’ve taken, your health and your expertise. It took our group round 6 hours to stroll up and down Ben Nevis on the mountain monitor with some snow for the final 1 km. We took breaks alongside the way in which. Different stories advocate permitting a minimum of 8 hours to hike Ben Nevis up and down.
Is it simple to stroll up Ben Nevis?
This relies. The stroll on the mountain path is comparatively simple as there are not any scrambles or uncovered sections on the path. Nevertheless, the terrain is tough and never clean and also you’ll be climbing uphill with little aid just about the entire means. You’ll want degree of health to summit Ben Nevis.
What number of miles is Ben Nevis hike?
The Ben Nevis hike is about 10.5 miles (17km) lengthy as a return journey.
Final Up to date on June 2, 2023 by Hannah
Hannah began That Adventurer after graduating again in 2013 and has documented all of her adventures since then. From backpacking South America to metropolis breaks in Europe, a 3 month highway journey throughout the USA in a self-converted van and 6 years residing in Canada, you’ll discover posts on all of this.
Hannah specialises in lively journey and on That Adventurer you’ll discover climbing, strolling, biking, snowboarding and all types of lively journey guides to can help you see a vacation spot in an adventurous means.
Now again in Europe, you’ll discover new guides as Hannah and her husband spend the following yr ‘digital nomading’ from Norway to Portugal, Switzerland to Scotland and locations in between.
The Ben Nevis Hike Scotland Information supplies important info and proposals for hikers planning to beat Scotland’s highest peak. Firstly, it emphasizes the significance of sufficient preparation and appropriate gear to deal with the difficult terrain and unpredictable climate situations. Secondly, the information highlights the need of getting an in depth map and navigational expertise to navigate the advanced community of trails. Lastly, the article advises hikers to think about their bodily health degree and take essential precautions to make sure a protected and pleasurable expertise whereas climbing Ben Nevis.
