The ascent of Ben Nevis mountain should never be taken lightly. The mountain Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest peak, standing at 1345m above sea level, and although miniscule in comparison with the worlds tallest peaks is a challenge.
Ben Nevis mountain stands as a challenge to many of the worlds most skilled climbers as well as a target for thousands of hill walkers to ascend.
The most common route to the summit is the walkers path leading up the south of the mountain starting in Glen Nevis at the Visitor Centre. It is a path well trodden by many thousands of people each year, whatever the weather.
Unfortunately there is no guarantee as to what the weather will do on any particular day in Fort William, therefore you should be prepared for all eventualities. Even in the height of summer with the sun shining the temperature can get quite low, so make sure you have plenty of layers. The Met Office provide a very detailed forecast for the Ben Nevis mountain area on their website.
The main path up Ben Nevis is well defined until you approach the summit, whereupon there are cairns marking the way to the top. In poor weather conditions when visibility is limited you can use the cairns to navigate the safer route and if you get to the point where you can’t see the next one, it would be advisable to turn around and head back down the mountain for your own safety. There is a quick way down the mountain and it’s called the North Face!
On a clear day though, the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking, and there is no denying the sense of achievement when you make it to the very top!
If planning a trip to Fort William to make the ascent of The Ben, it is important that you book well in advance. Fort William is a very popular destination for many hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, and we have been contacted by many people hoping to do Ben Nevis, but not planning far enough ahead to be able to book accommodation. As a rule of thumb, if you wish to stop in Fort William during the summer months (May to September) you will need to plan a year in advance to be sure of getting what you need. You can check our availability by using the search box below or sending us a message by going to our Contact Us page.
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