Nevis Routes

Climbing Ben Nevis via The Mountain Footpath

• Meet your guide in Fort William / Glen Nevis after breakfast at around 9 a.m.

• Quick briefing of the day ahead including what to wear, food & water and the weather

• Start ascent at a steady pace aiming for the half way lochan - Meall an t-Suidhe

• Reach the Red Burn and the opportunity to refill water bottles - after approximately 2 hours

• Climb the zigzags to reach the summit plateau

• Learn how to navigate the final 1km to the summit cairn - the 5 D’s - see below

• Reach the top of Ben Nevis - after approximately 4 hours

• Descend with care - many mountain accidents happen on descent

• Reach the Ben Nevis Inn for a well deserved drink - after approximately 7 to 8 hours

Climbing Ben Nevis via The CMD Arete

• Meet your guide at the North Face car park, Torlundy at around 9 a.m.

• Quick briefing of the day ahead including what to wear, food & water and the weather

• Start ascent at a steady pace through the forest to reach the Allt a Mhuilinn river

• Follow the river for 1 km and take the opportunity to refill water bottles

• Climb on to the summit of Carn Mor Dearg at 1,220 metres after about 4 hours

• Follow the CMD arete to the summit of Ben Nevis after approximately 6 hours

• Descend the Mountain Track to reach the half way lochan - Meall an t-Suidhe

• Walk due north to return to North Face car park after approximately 8 to 10 hours

Facts About Ben Nevis

• Standing at 1,344 metres high (or 4,408 feet) it is the highest mountain in the British Isles

• The temperature on the summit is normally at least 9 degrees cooler than in Fort William

• Ben Nevis, translated from the Gaelic means 'Mountain of Heaven'

• The first recorded ascent was in 1771

• In 1883 the footpath and observatory were built all thanks to Clement Linley Wragge

• In 1911 a Model T Ford was driven to the summit as a publicity stunt by Ford Agents

• The Temperance Hotel was built adjacent to the Observatory and accommodated

tourists and climbers until it closed in 1916

• A bed, a barrel of beer and even a piano have all been carried to the summit, often

supporting charitable causes

The 5 D’s To Structured Navigation using a Compass

  1. Direction - take bearing using compass
  2. Distance - try to make each leg no more than 500 metres (use pacing)
  3. Duration - estimate time required (in winter difficult due to constant stop/starting)
  4. Description - relate what the maps tells you about the ground you are going to cover
  5. Dead End - if you go too far know what will happen to the ground under your feet