How to Climb Ben Nevis – The Highest Mountain in the UK
Where is Ben Nevis?
In the northwest highlands, only 1.5 miles from the town of Fort William in Scotland (known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK) , you will be able to climb Ben Nevis. The mighty mountain forms part of the Nevis Range of the Grampian Mountains.
Many people do this as part of the National three peaks challenge for charity, and many do it for the achievement of climbing one of the best hiking trails in the world. It is easily one of the best hiking routes in Scotland for adventurous travellers.
The name has two translations, either as the venomous mountain or the mountain with its head in the clouds and is not for the faint-hearted. Indeed, we would not recommend just heading up without any training or experience. You will feel the burn for the next few days.
The zig-zag to the top seems endless, but somehow the crowds of people keep you going to the top. Midges also attacked us for the first part of the walk, which helped quicken our speed climbing Ben Nevis.
If you are lucky with the weather, you will see insanely beautiful panoramic views over the Scottish Highlands. We were lucky and from the peak saw something beautiful and made the 5.6 miles climb up worth it.
Conquering ‘The Ben’ is something that should be on a West Scotland Road Trip Bucket List! It is epic. It was once a giant volcano that exploded millions of years ago. The best tips for climbing Ben Nevis is to be prepared for all weather conditions and not to misjudge the difficulty of the Ben Nevis hike. Are you ready to tackle the highest mountain in the UK? It is an accomplishment.
Ben Nevis height: 1345m (4413ft)
Ben Nevis distance: 10.5 miles (17km)
Ben Nevis climb time: allow for 7-9 hours. It usually takes 3.5-4.5 hours to reach the top.
Map: OS Ben Nevis & Fort William
We advise you to take a map and compass in case the visibility is poor (which is likely).
How to Get to Ben Nevis
It will take 2-3 hours from Glasgow, and from Edinburgh will take 3-4 hours, depending on the traffic.
Ben Nevis Car Park
The Ben Nevis car park is the most popular place to begin your walk. You can pay by coins and card in the machine or pay in the visitor centre. There is space for 80 cars and 4 coaches. It currently costs £6 for all-day parking.
The Ben Nevis car park postcode is: PH33 6ST (this is a rural postcode so will not take you directly to the Ben Nevis car park).
You can find directions more easily on Google Maps here.
The Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
The Glen Nevis Visitor Centre is your last stop before you take on the mountain. Here you can get a takeaway coffee from a machine, talk to the friendly staff and take your last look at the map. They provide daily information about the weather too.
There are toilets here too, and this is your last time to use them!
You should check the website before you go, as they close the visitor centre during some of the winter months when it is not advised to climb Ben Nevis.
Climbing Ben Nevis – Mountain Weather Forecast
We recommend checking the weather forecast before you head up. We timed our hike for when it was clear at the top, and we made the right decision. Checking the weather is imperative.
The weather can change quickly and suddenly. If it is sunny at the bottom, that does not mean that you will have sunshine at the top. Haven’t you heard? Scottish weather is unpredictable. Ben Nevis can be extremely cold, windy and wet and snowy!
Even in the summer there might be some snow at the top. You should ensure that you are prepared for the weather before you set off. It can be dangerous.
You can find the Met Office forecast for Ben Nevis here.
You can see the images from Ben Nevis HD WebCam here for daily pictures.
When is the best time to climb Ben Nevis?
We recommend doing this hike in the summer months from June to September. It is more likely that the weather will be better during this time. Unless you have lots of hillwalking experience, you should avoid winter because of the snow and ice, adding an extra challenge.
It can be dangerous at the top – do not underestimate the mountain and the time of year you choose will really make or break your experience of reaching the top of Ben Nevis. Remember this is the highest peak in the UK.
You will likely see snow if you go in the summer! A lot of people have been known to get into difficulty in bad weather, especially as the cloud lowers or the snow covers the well-trodden path and the navigation becomes more challenging to reach the summit of Ben Nevis.
The Ben Nevis Summit
At the Ben Nevis summit, you will see a cairn that makes the highest point. Unfortunately, we do not have a picture because there was a queue of people waiting to take a picture and we are not people who lime queues.
However, we did see sensational 360 views. You may be able to spot Ben Lomond, Morven at Caithness and the Torridon hills. If you are lucky, you will be able to see for miles.
One of the most famous things to see at the summit is the Old Observatory. This is now used as a shelter, but from 1883-1904 where it was used for meteorological data. There are also some memorials at the top, but many have been removed recently.
Climbing Ben Nevis Routes
Walking up Ben Nevis can be challenging, and there are different ways to reach the Ben Nevis summit.
Mountain Track/ Mountain Path/ Pony Track: This is the easiest route known as the Tourist Track up the north-western side of the mountain. Begin crossing the footbridge over the river and following the signs for the Mountain Track for a steep climb to the halfway lochan’ and then zig-zag the stone steps.
At 570m, you will see Halfway Lake before you continue to the summit. After that, you will follow the same route back down the mountain. Be careful when you pass the notorious Gardyloo gully, which has brought on vertigo! Most people take this route and because of that, this guide is aimed at people climbing Ben Nevis via the Mountain Track.
Carn Mor Dearg Arete route is the more challenging route and the path for very experienced hikers. It is a ridge walk which is extremely difficult and will take between 10-11 hours to complete scaling across boulders. Most climbers begin this walk from the North Face car park at Torlundy. This route has a 1506m ascent and is 17.5km.
11 Top Tips for Climbing Ben Nevis
- Do not forget your midge spray and apply it before you set off to climb Ben Nevis. We found hundreds of dead midges on our legs, arms on face for the first section of the walk.
- Make sure you train for mountain hikes before you go – else, you will likely be in pain as it is not easy.
- Take water with you. There may be the option to refill this in the waterfalls, which is what we did but 2 litres of water are recommended as the water purity cannot be guaranteed.
- Remember to take sun cream with you. You are very exposed when climbing Ben Nevis.
- Take layers and a raincoat because the temperature will be different on the top, and it is Scotland so that the heavens may open.
- Take food with you – there is no café on the top, and you will need food if you are out there all day! Snacks and sandwiches. Nuts keep us going!
- Wear suitable and comfy shoes. We have seen people climb Ben Nevis in trainers, but we recommend having shoes with more support and a good grip. Do not wear flip flops (we have seen it).
- Remember to take all litter home with you – there are no bins on the summit.
- Leave plenty of time and time for your walk to be back before it is dark!
- If you need help, call 999 or 112 for an accident or emergency and ask for Mountain Rescue and take a mini first aid kit with you for climbing Ben Nevis.
- Take a camera – if it is a clear day – you’re in for some of the best views of your life!
Frequently Asked Questions for Climbing Ben Nevis
How hard is it to climb Ben Nevis?
How hard is a tricky question and will largely depend on your fitness level and whether or not you are used to climbing mountains? Walking Ben Nevis is not easy, and you should climb some lower Munros before you attempt this huge one.
The alternative route: Carn Mor Dearg Arête, should only be attempted by experienced hill walkers and climbers.
How long does it take to climb Ben Nevis?
It will take around 6-9 hours to hike Ben Nevis on the Mountain Track (Tourist Route), depending on how fit you are. Usually, it takes people 4 hours to reach the top and 3 hours to walk down. However, we found it more challenging to go down!
When you cross the Red Burn, it is the halfway point, and you should be there within two hours. The time it takes you will estimate how long it will take you to climb Ben Nevis and complete the walk.
How many climb Ben Nevis each year?
Roughly 125,000 people climb Ben Nevis annually. As a result, the path usually is full of people attempting it, and it can feel like a traffic jam at times.
Can I bring my dog to climb Ben Nevis?
Yes, dogs are welcome when you are climbing Ben Nevis. However, it is not an easy track, and there is uneven terrain and busy paths to consider. Dogs will not find this tough climb easy, that’s for sure. It is also recommended that dogs are kept on a lead when climbing Ben Nevis because sheep can graze up to 700m.
What to wear to climb Ben Nevis?
You will need warm and waterproof clothing for the Ben Nevis climb. First, of course, check the weather forecast for the day of your Ben Nevis climb. We climbed in a heatwave, and we needed a jumper at the top and a hat to protect ourselves from the sun. So check the weather, maybe you will need a hat and gloves instead?
Lots of people take walking poles to help with the descent.
Are there toilets on Ben Nevis?
No, there are no toilets on Ben Nevis. Please use the toilets at the Inn or the Visitor Centre.
Where can I have a drink or food after climbing Ben Nevis?
- Ben Nevis Inn
- Glen Nevis Restaurant and Bar
Hopefully this guide to climbing Ben Nevis will help you prepare for an epic day. If you are enjoying a holiday in Scotland, then remember to check out our travel guides to:
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