Ben Hope via North Ridge (Or Hope on a Rope)

[Cairngorm creeper]

The route up the North Face of Ben Hope gave us a wonderful day out with great scenery on route, excitement on the bad step and pure pleasure on the narrow ridge to the summit.

The route

We started out from the main Ben Hope carpark at 9:15, in glorious sunshine and followed the main path running alongside the waterfall.

The start of the path. Ben Hope ahead

When the Allt a Mhuiseil bore north we left the path and continued to follow it along the glen below the steep craggy western face of the mountain.

Walking under the western face of Ben Hope

I suspect this part of the route would be very boggy in normal conditions but today it is very dry, a faint path comes and goes, there are a few red deer around and we can hear the eerie sound of stags calling (somewhat out of season) from the crags. We passed Duibh Loch na Beinne, and continued around to the northern end of Ben Hope, even the weight of our much reduced, scrambling rack and gear, was heavy enough to notice in the heat.

The North Ridge comes into view

Luckily there was a burn flowing from the lochan at the base of the ridge so we wouldn't have to go out of our way to fill up the water bottles.

12:15 base of the Ridge

The first section of the ridge was broad with easy scrambling, sometimes on good rock but also a lot of steep grass and loose rock to negotiate.

Steep grass then nice rock

There were a surprising number of wild flowers growing amongst the rock and the views, were stunning.

Loch na Seilg to the north east

Loch Hope and out across a misty sea.

1:30 the plateau before the bad step.

Time to stop, have lunch and appraise our options.

Posing on the edge of the west face.

The bad step up the nose was steep, very exposed and looked unprotectable so we traversed about 5m round onto the west face where we identified a route up ledges (about grade three) still very exposed but protectable with the rope

A cry of awesome views resounded from the belay

With route finding and ropework it took us about an hour and half to tackle the bad step. The bypass gully would have been much quicker but we rarely let the consideration of speed interfere with our enjoyment
We had topped out at the start of the short narrow ridge leading up to the summit

Ridge to the summit

With some more easy but delightful scrambling

16:30 on Ben Hope summit

Summit views to the east.

Along the ridge to the north west

Very ready for a brew

17:06 we started our descent following the edge of the east face.

Stony edge of the east face. Ben Loyal in the distance

Then turned south east just before the small rise to Sail Romascaig and down grassy slopes down to a burn.

We stopped for a drink and some noodles.

Shortly after this we picked up an old eroded path which wove its way down steep grass.

Eventually rejoining the main path alongside the waterfall.

And back to the road

19:40 and we were back at the car.
Ben Hope had exceeded all our expectations and given us one of our best mountain days.

[Guinessman]

Good route, the face looks steep from above. Thanks for posting

[past my sell by date]

Yes - the bad step is much more awkward, difficult to protect and ( paricularly) exposed than guidebooks suggest. We gave up on it eventually. I was more or less up but my companions revolted

[Cairngorm creeper]

Good route, the face looks steep from above. Thanks for posting

Thank you, we found rock steps and grass ledges that probabley made it a bit easier than it looked, but then we were on a rope

Yes - the bad step is much more awkward, difficult to protect and ( paricularly) exposed than guidebooks suggest. We gave up on it eventually. I was more or less up but my companions revolted

It is good to have our thoughts about the bad step confirmed. I sympathise with your companions but I bet down climbing it was interesting

[Huff_n_Puff]

Brilliant - enjoyed the read and the photos - but this is a route I wont be following, my plans for Ben Hope are incompatible with rope work Pity - it looks stunning.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Brilliant - enjoyed the read and the photos - but this is a route I wont be following, my plans for Ben Hope are incompatible with rope work Pity - it looks stunning.

Thank you Huff_n_Puff, it is a route with excellent views on a clear day if you don't mind the easy scrambling and the gully, which avoids the bad step, does not involve much of a diversion although I couldn't say what it's like.

[ancancha]

That looked fabulous

[Emmanuelle]

Great account. My plan is to keep Ben Hope as my last Munro so I might avoid Bad Step!!!

[malky_c]

Looks like a fine day out and also some useful information .

We went up round that side but backed off the route up the nose as it looked way harder than I was expecting . Ended up using the bypass gully. However I didn't realise that there was an easier route further round onto the west face. Might still be too hard but something else to have a look at anyway. Cheers

[Cairngorm creeper]

That looked fabulous

Thank you, it was.

Great account. My plan is to keep Ben Hope as my last Munro so I might avoid Bad Step!!!

Thank you. Hope you have a good day for it, not too many more to go

Looks like a fine day out and also some useful information .

We went up round that side but backed off the route up the nose as it looked way harder than I was expecting . Ended up using the bypass gully. However I didn't realise that there was an easier route further round onto the west face. Might still be too hard but something else to have a look at anyway. Cheers

The bulge at the start of the bad step looked very formidable, with the cliffs beneath it and nowhere to place any protection
We choose the route we did because we could protect it with the rope, the climbing was probabley easier although it was still very exposed, more vegetated, and with some loose rock, if you do take a look I would be interested to know what you think.

[rockhopper]

That looked a good route esp on such a nice day - so much more interesting than the usual out and back - cheers

[Jaxter]

That looks like an awesome route - interesting seeing the views without the white coat that covered everything when I was there too. Smashing photies

[dav2930]

Looks a brilliant and challenging way up Ben Hope - nice going
I knew nothing of this route until reading your report. It's good to learn of such an interesting alternative to the usual way up

[Walk cycle]

Looks fantastic - enjoyed your report. I am heading North this week and Ben Hope ( but not your more challenging route) is on my itinerary.

[Cairngorm creeper]

That looked a good route esp on such a nice day - so much more interesting than the usual out and back - cheers

Thank you Rock Hopper, we enjoyed it, let's hope we get some more of that sunshine back soon.

That looks like an awesome route - interesting seeing the views without the white coat that covered everything when I was there too. Smashing photies

Thank you Jaxter, we took a little longer than you to get there I was expecting quite a barren hill and it was surprisingly lush although I think the snow makes everything far more majestic.

Looks a brilliant and challenging way up Ben Hope - nice going
I knew nothing of this route until reading your report. It's good to learn of such an interesting alternative to the usual way up

Thank you, finding our way around the bad step was certainly a challenging adventure but really worthwhile if you like that sort of thing.

Looks fantastic - enjoyed your report. I am heading North this week and Ben Hope ( but not your more challenging route) is on my itinerary.

Thank you, I hope you get some nice days for your trip, There are some great views which ever way you go.