Location of Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is located on the outskirts of Fort William on the west coast of Scotland at the head of Loch Linnhe.

Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain and as such is popular, in particular with tourists especially those from abroad.   The North Face, which you will not see from the mountain path, is the area where climbers can be found in particular during winter when they can be seen using there ice and snow climbing skills.

The climb of Ben Nevis starts either at the Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis, Achintee on the east side of the River Nevis or opposite the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis.   However there is only limited parking facilities at the latter starting point.

From here it is just the sake of following the path to the summit.   The path becomes less distinct higher up and is often covered in large patches of snow, even during the summer months.

A more interesting ascent of Ben Nevis can be made by the arête but this route is only for those with navigational skills and a head for heights.

The starting point can be made from any of the three locations indicated above and walk as far as Lochan Meall an-t-Suidhe or from the North Face car park on the A82 north of Fort William at Torlundy.

The route follows the path up the side of the Allt a'Mhuilinn and onto the summit of the Munro Carn Mor Dearg with its view of the climbing areas on the North Face of Ben Nevis.   The descent off Carn Mor Dearg is where the excitement of the walk commences as you traverse the narrow arête.   Once beyond this obstacle it is s steep climb through lots of rock to the summit trig point of Ben Nevis.   The return can be made by the mountain path.

Warning

Hundreds of people climb this mountain each year mainly by the mountain path and in the summer months and in good weather there is no real problem other than it will probably take you longer than you thought.

However in bad weather or when the summit is shrouded in low cloud, which is relatively often, navigation off the summit can be very difficult and dangerous due to the close proximity of the cliffs on the North-East face and lower down the Five Finger Gully.

A map and compass is an essential part of your equipment and you should know how to use it.

Information

The ruins on the summit of "The Ben", as it is often known, are of an observatory built in the late 1800's for the use of meteorologists.   When it closed in the early 1900's it was opened as a hotel until the start of the First World War.

Can I also make a plea here for walkers and climbers to please take their rubbish, including banana skins, home and not to leave it on the summit hidden in the ruins of the observatory.   Banana skins do not biodegrade at that altitude.