Ben Nevis by the Carn Mor Dearg Arete

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For experienced, fit mountain walkers who do not mind easy scrambling but are not climbers, this is the finest way to climb Ben Nevis. This is a truly spectacular route incorporating two Munros. It will live long in the memory and does true justice to the mountain.

Terrain

Good mountain paths for much of the route; pathless section on descent with burn crossing. The traverse of the arete is a long but easy scramble.

Public Transport

None to start; buses pass Torlundy.

Start

North Face car park, near Torlundy. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Essentials page for basic information on the skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.5km / 11 miles
Time (summer conditions): 10 - 11 hours
Ascent: 1506m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN144763

Summits Climbed

Munro: Carn Mor Dearg
Munro: Ben Nevis

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the North Face car park, reached along a track from Torlundy. Begin by heading along the track, passing a barrier. When the track bends left, turn right on a path (signed North Face Trail). Go straight ahead uphill then keep left at a fork in the trees. The path climbs and swings right, passing a bench, then becomes flat, passing another bench. Keep ahead when it meets another path. The path then reaches the edge of the forest, with stunning views of Fort William ahead and Ben Nevis to the left - there is another bench here. Carry on left along the path, passing a small wooden bridge and dam on the right. Turn right at the next signpost (signed Allt a'Mhuillin and CIC Hut). Keep ahead when a path joins right, passing another bench, and join a track. Finally turn right at a track junction to face Ben Nevis ahead.

Stage 2

At the top of the track cross the stile and follow the excellent path as it continues up to the left of the Allt a'Mhuillin, with the north face of the Ben Nevis drawing ever closer. Eventually a boggy path forks off to the left; turn up this, which begins the long ascent to Carn Mor Dearg. Pretty wet lower down, the path improves as height is gained, giving stunning views back over Caol, Corpach and Lochs Linnhe and Eil.

Stage 3

Higher up the path cuts across the southern slope of Carn Beag Dearg, giving absolutely stunning views of the cliffs, buttresses and gullys of Ben Nevis before eventually climbing up to the ridge at Carn Dearg Meadhonach. From here Carn Mor Dearg looks an elegant pointed peak which would attract admiring attention if it were not overshadowed by the awesome bulk of the Ben opposite.

Stage 4

Eyes will be drawn to the spectacular arete that leads around to the Ben in a graceful curve. This is the Carn Mor Dearg Arete; there is an initial loose descent before the walk begins along the crest of this amazing ridge. There is a bypass path to the left, but keeping to the crest involves only minor scrambling over bouldery blocks - in an amazing situation.

Stage 5

The traverse is utterly involving and the situation beneath the great cliffs of the Ben is fantastic - there are few better ridge-walks than this. Eventually a minor peak is reached and the arete changes direction, curving to the right.

Stage 6

It descends to a low point before beginning to climb once more, with one particularly narrow section. The arete then climbs up to a flat shoulder - with a well-built cairn - beneath the bulk of the Ben itself. From here the route to the summit plateau is a steep climb up boulders with some sections of winding scree path.

Stage 7

The summit plateau is reached suddenly; as this is the highest peak in the UK, on a good day there will inevitably be lots of tourists who have come up the 'Mountain Track' - the crowds can come as a shock! There are several memorials, a trig point, and many cairns. There are also the remains of the (meteorological) observatory which operated here early in the twentieth century. The return is initially made by the 'Mountain Track', the main tourist 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, to pass the most dangerous section.

Stage 8

In good weather with no snow there is a well worn path which zig-zags down towards Lochan Meall an t'Suidhe. This side of the mountain is owned by the John Muir Trust, a charity that protects wild places and maintains the path. You can find out more and support their work by joining at http://www.johnmuirtrust.org/. The path eventually crosses the Red Burn before reaching a path junction. Continue ahead here (the main tourist path down to Glen Nevis turns to the left), and keep left at a second fork to follow a constructed path to the loch outflow. From here make a rough, pathless descent NNE to reach the Allt a'Mhuillin - which can become impossible to cross if in spate. Ford the burn and pick up the outward path on the far side, then retrace your steps back to the start.

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