Not for hill walking novices, you’ll need experience in order to complete this safely.

While a prolonged grade 1 scramble, it is never technical and not that exposed as it’s a rather wide ridge compared to something like Crib Goch.

In winter it becomes a full on mountaineering expedition!

Download the GPX File for your GPS device here 

Distance, Ascent and Time 17Km, 1600m, 8 hrs

Map Required Explorer 392, BMC Map, Landranger 41

Guidebooks - Pocket Mountains Central Highlands, Cicerone Ben Nevis and Glencoe.

Difficulties Prolonged scrambling at Grade 1

Start / End North Face Car park/Fort William or as start

Facilities Parking

Public Transport ….

The Route -to follow

Can start from one of three places!

This route details the walk from The Visitor centre via the Ben Nevis Inn (which is a good starting point and an even better ending point!). You can alternatively start from the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis, the route for which is on this page, though the main description is on here.

Download the GPX File for your GPS device here 

Distance, Ascent and Time 17KM, 1370m, 7 hrs

Map Required Explorer 392, BMC Map, Landranger 41

Guidebooks - Pocket Mountains Central Highlands, Cicerone Ben Nevis and Glencoe.

Difficulties Navigation on summit in mist

Start / End Glen Nevis

Facilities Parking, cafe, toilets.

Public Transport ….

The Route This is a challenging route in all conditions and shouldn’t be underestimated. Basically a 1300m slog to the summit, you get litle reward until it starts levelling out towards the summit plateau and the views open up. It’s much more pleasant in descent for that reason!

Full details to follow

1 – stage one to the lake

2 – The Zig zags – and on and on and on!!

3 – starts to relent, but still a way to go.

4  - getting off safely – this link shows a close up of the summit itself.

5 – Descent