Ben Nevis
From: £65.00
Guided ascent up Ben Nevis – Scotland’s highest mountain. We offer ascents via the standard mountain track, or the CMD arete in both summer and winter. We also offer private days for your group if you prefer.
Guided Ascents of Ben Nevis
Want to tick the UK’s highest mountain off the list? Standing at a proud 1,345m, ‘the Ben’ offers panoramic views of the West Coast of Scotland and would be a great feat for any walker to get under their belt. On your ascent of Ben Nevis, your guide will share with you the rich history and folklore that surrounds the area as well as the flora and fauna of the mountain.
All routes are available during winter, though if you have no prior experience, we do suggest you book onto a 1-day Winter Skills Course prior to taking on Ben Nevis in the winter.
The Mountain Track
The CMD Arete
What is included
The Mountain Track
A Guided Ascent up the Mountain Track
The most common way to ascend Ben Nevis is via the ‘Mountain Track’, a well-trodden path that zig zags its way up the mountain. There is a good break point around halfway to refuel the energy levels before tackling the steeper ground and finally levelling off to reach the summit.
No previous hillwalking experience is necessary, although a good level of fitness is definitely required. It is pathed the whole way, which often leads many people to assume that they can ascend Ben Nevis without professional guidance. However, if conditions deteriorate then it can be easy to lose the track, especially in winter. So if you don’t have much experience in the mountains, you can rest assured that our guides are fully qualified to ensure you get the most of your day safely.
The CMD Arete
A Guided Ascent on the CMD Arête
If you want to get off the beaten track for a more adventurous ascent up Ben Nevis, we can guide you along the CMD Arête. This route starts from the North Face Car Park and winds through a pleasant forest track before opening out to a beautiful mountain scene. You first ascend the Ben’s neighbor, Carn Mor Dearg (Big Red Mountain), which offers uninterrupted views of the Ben’s impressively stark and steep North Face, a playground for rock and ice climbers alike. From your first summit you can see the sharp ridge line of the CMD arête curving around and up to the summit of Ben Nevis. This route is exposed and exciting- though never more than an easy-going grade 1 scramble, it is narrow enough to give you a bit of a thrill. Upon reaching the summit, we wind our way halfway back down the Mountain Track before branching off on a smaller track leading back towards the North Face. This route is not always pathed, so a good level of fitness is essential and ideally prior mountain walking experience.
What is included
Additional information for your Guided Ascent of Ben Nevis
What to Bring
- Walking Boots
- Waterproofs
- Drink Bottle and Lunch
- Warm clothes
- Suncream, sunglasses and hat
- Midge repellent
- Any personal medication
What we supply:
- Transport from/to Newtonmore or Fort William.
- All Technical Equipment – i.e. Winter conditions may require B2 boots, crampons, walking axes and helmets.
- Fully qualified instructors.
- Friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff who are dedicated to making the most of your day. We are not set to time constraints on our days – it is about the clients experience! A standard guided ascent of Ben Nevis takes between 6-8 hours but if it takes longer due to conditions or personal reasons (so long as it can be achieved safely) then that’s not a problem.
Note – By their very nature journeys in remote or mountainous country can be affected by weather and other environmental factors. Your guide/s may have to alter the itinerary to ensure group safety.
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