Ben Nevis
Ruins of the weather station on Ben Nevis.
Ben Nevis, at 1344m (4409ft) the highest mountain in the UK. Accessable from Fort William, the Outdoor Capital of the UK.
Ben Nevis began to form around 500 million years ago.The summit is a collapsed dome of an ancient volcano. At the top you can find the ruins of an observatory where meteorological data was collected from 1883 to 1904.
The mountain is a popular destination, attracting around one hundred thousand people each year. A large part of them will ascend Ben Nevis via the Pony Track (or 'Mountain Track'). In travel guides this path is often referred to as the 'Tourist Path' suggesting it's an easy walk up. Don't be fooled, the start of the path is relatively easy, but it becomes increasingly rocky, exposed and more difficult. It's a proper mountain track and therefore you need to be properly equiped!
Extra care has to be taken on the summit where serious accidents can occur. There's steep dangerous ground around the summit. Snow on the summit makes the landscape look different and there are often overhanging cornices that are ready to break away. When returning from the summit you have to ensure you are returning by the correct path. The top of Five Finger Gully has a deceptive gentle slope which quickly leads to steep dangerous cliffs. The weather can change quickly on the Ben and that's when accidents can occur.
A return walk to the summit of the Ben will take between 5 and 8 hours, depending on your level of fitness.
Ben Nevis Safety Leaflet
Ben Nevis began to form around 500 million years ago.The summit is a collapsed dome of an ancient volcano. At the top you can find the ruins of an observatory where meteorological data was collected from 1883 to 1904.
The mountain is a popular destination, attracting around one hundred thousand people each year. A large part of them will ascend Ben Nevis via the Pony Track (or 'Mountain Track'). In travel guides this path is often referred to as the 'Tourist Path' suggesting it's an easy walk up. Don't be fooled, the start of the path is relatively easy, but it becomes increasingly rocky, exposed and more difficult. It's a proper mountain track and therefore you need to be properly equiped!
Extra care has to be taken on the summit where serious accidents can occur. There's steep dangerous ground around the summit. Snow on the summit makes the landscape look different and there are often overhanging cornices that are ready to break away. When returning from the summit you have to ensure you are returning by the correct path. The top of Five Finger Gully has a deceptive gentle slope which quickly leads to steep dangerous cliffs. The weather can change quickly on the Ben and that's when accidents can occur.
A return walk to the summit of the Ben will take between 5 and 8 hours, depending on your level of fitness.
Ben Nevis Safety Leaflet
Carn Mor Dearg Arete (CMD Arete)
CMD Arete and North face Ben Nevis.
For those who want to get away from the busy Pony Track there's the
option of reaching the Ben Nevis summit over the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. The climb
up Carn Mor Dearg is pathless and steep in places, therefore you have to be fit, but it's the finest way to walk up Ben Nevis! The views towards the north face of Ben Nevis are spectacular and offer great opportunities for photographers.
Distance (up and down) 10.5 miles (16.5 km), approx
time 7-9 hours.
option of reaching the Ben Nevis summit over the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. The climb
up Carn Mor Dearg is pathless and steep in places, therefore you have to be fit, but it's the finest way to walk up Ben Nevis! The views towards the north face of Ben Nevis are spectacular and offer great opportunities for photographers.
Distance (up and down) 10.5 miles (16.5 km), approx
time 7-9 hours.
Half Way Ben Nevis
Halfway Lochan.
If climbing the Ben Nevis seems too much, why not climb half way?
There are several options, for example:
There are several options, for example:
- Climb Meall an t-Suidhe (Melantee), the mountain that lies in front of Ben Nevis. Half as high as Ben Nevis but with rather better views. The route is about 7 miles (11.2 km) and it takes about 4-6 hours.
- Climb to Halfway Lochan and descent the other way past the CIC hut, which gives you beautiful views of the North Face of Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg. This is a round trip about 10 miles (16 km) long and takes 6-7 hours.
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