Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain. This route is the standard, so-called Tourist Route up the mountain. It is straightforward, if strenuous, by hillwalking standards, but the less experienced should read all the precautions.
Summary
Steep path throughout. Once past the Red Burn the route crosses boulders and scree. The upper sections are often snow covered and losing the line of the path could lead onto dangerous terrain - navigational skills are needed. NB. as with any mountain walk, ANY ASCENT WHEN SNOW IS LYING ON THE PATH REQUIRES WINTER EQUIPMENT AND SKILLS.
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NN123731
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17km/10.5 miles
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Glen Nevis visitor centre car park
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1. If you are not an experienced hillwalker, it is worth reading the signs and downloading the information leaflet from the Nevis Partnership for those attempting the ascent. The leaflet is available from this link for printing. This route is the easiest ascent of Ben Nevis and is thus often busy with walkers as well as missing some of the finest scenery on the mountain; experienced mountain walkers may prefer to ascend via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. For those with less confidence and just wishing to climb Ben Nevis, the following route is more suitable. Until recently it was known as the 'Tourist Route' but it has now been rebranded as the 'Mountain Track'. Park at the Visitor Centre in Glen Nevis; there may be a charge. Cross the bridge over the River Nevis, which is downstream from the centre. Once across the bridge, turn right and follow the river bank for a few hundred metres; then turn left over a stile to meet the original path which started at Achintree farm; turn right up this rising path.
2. Follow the wide path which climbs across the hillside. After passing above a small plantation, the path from Glen Nevis Youth Hostel joins in from the right (This path leads directly from the Hostel to the main path and gives a shorter route; however there is no car parking at the Youth Hostel). Further on the path doubles back on itself to ascend up the steeper slopes in a wide zigzag. There are grand views up Glen Nevis to the Mamores, with Stob Ban prominent.
Photo ©Erik Piek, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
3. The path crosses a couple of footbridges over small streams and curves round above the valley of the Red Burn. As the head of the valley is approached, watch out for a very sharp left turn; many walkers miss this and have worn a route directly to the head of the valley itself, which is steep and loose. The correct path winds up much more easily to reach the plateau that holds Loch Meall an t-Suidhe, known as the half way lochan. It doesn't approach the actual loch though, keeping well to the right.
Photo ©Steven Craven, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
4. As the path begins to climb once more, a junction is reached. Turn right (the path keeping left heads round below the North Face of the mountain). After another half kilometre the path crosses the cascading upper Red Burn stream. The going is now becoming much rougher, with the path a worn route through the boulders and scree, climbing relentlessly in a series of very wide zigzags. Hill runners participating in the Ben Nevis race short cut straight down the scree in the middle of this slope, but sticking to the path gives much better going. Much higher up, the path passes above the steep screes which fall to the right into the head of Five Finger Gully. This has been the scene of many fatalities in descent, when walkers attempting to avoid the North Face of the mountain steer too wide a course and heading too far south and fall into the gully. In good weather, the views of the Glen far below are superb.
Photo ©Erik Piek, licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.
5. The gradient now eases as the beginning of the summit plateau is reached. The path passes close to the tops of Gardyloo and Tower gullies. In good weather it is worth peering down from the top of these to get an impression of the great North Face of the mountain, and perhaps spot rock-climbers coming up Tower Ridge or other classic climbs. If there is snow on the ground, however, stay well clear as there could be cornices of overhanging snow which could collapse if you step on them. After passing Gardyloo gully the 'path' curves to the left to reach the summit proper.
6. The summit of Ben Nevis is 1344 metres; the highest mountain in the British Isles. The summit area has several memorials, a trig point, and many cairns; some of the memorials have been removed in recent years to prevent the area looking a mess. There are also the scant remains of the (meteorological) observatory which operated here early in the twentieth century. The view is tremendously extensive and covers much of the Highlands, but there is nothing more dramatic than peering down the north side, across or down the massive cliffs; again, do not approach if there is snow.
7. The return is made by the same route. In misty conditions and with snow covering the path, very careful navigation can be required to steer a course between Gardyloo Gully and Five Finger Gully. Follow a bearing of 231 degrees for 150 metres, and then a bearing of 281 degrees, as described in the safety leaflet, to pass the most dangerous section. Once down - a celebration will be in order.
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