Ben Wyvis, near Garve

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Summary

Ben Wyvis is a vast and sprawling mountain whose isolated position makes it the dominating feature of a wide area of the Highlands. The ascent to its spacious plateau is a reasonably straightforward ascent in good summer conditions by Munro standards and there are very extensive views from the summit.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Easy ascent on paths through the forest initially, followed by much steeper ground on the path ascending to An Cabar.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Ben Wyvis car park, south of Garbat. Open in Google Maps.

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 Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 935m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH410671

Summits Climbed

Munro: Ben Wyvis

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (88)

Stage 1

Park at the Ben Wyvis car park (height barrier), which is signed from the A835, north of Garve. The car park is small and fills quickly; there's room for a few further cars in a layby 400m north along the road (which is a clearway for 2km here so parking along the verge is not allowed) - avoid obstructing access for local residents. If you can, share a lift. From the car park a path heads north, soon crossing the Allt a' Bhealaich Mhòir via a footbridge. Once across the stream the path soon swings right by a gate and the well trodden route which runs along the north side of the stream through the forest. Aspen, birch and rowan trees alongside the stream enliven the ascent. When a forest track is reached, go straight across to continue on the path.

Stage 2

After about a kilometre the path becomes more open with younger trees. Climb more steeply, still close to the stream. Just over another kilometre uphill, the forest is left behind and open country reached, with An Cabar looking very fine ahead.

Stage 3

The path - expertly built to avoid the bogs - begins to ascend in a series of steps towards the top of An Cabar. The ascent is steep until a shoulder is reached, and then continues more gently to reach the 946m top of An Cabar, with a dramatic view down the steep slopes to the south.

Stage 4

From An Cabar, the gradient becomes gentle, but the terrain is exposed if the weather is poor. The extensive mossy plateau provides habitat for the rare Dotterel, but the thin soils here are easily damaged by the passage of many boots. This is a nature reserve, and NatureScot encourage walkers to stick to a single line along the centre of the path - please follow this route to minimise the damage. Head over Cairn a' Chaptein and across a barely perceptable dip before ascending gently towards the summit.

Stage 5

The ridge narrows slightly about a third of a kilometre before the summit trig point is reached. The summit of Ben Wyvis (which means Awesome Mountain) is Glas Leathad Mòr , a Munro at 1046 metres. In clear visibility the views cover a vast swathe of northern Scotland, from Torridon to the Black Isle and Easter Ross. The sharp cone of Sgùrr Mòr in the Fannichs is easy to identify.

Stage 6

Although some books recommend a descent from Tom a' Chòinnich, this crosses pathless rough ground. By far the quickest and the most pleasant route of return is to simply retrace your steps.

Route Profile

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