Walk up Ben Nevis – Scotland’s Highest Mountain

Welcome to Walk up Ben Nevis

Walk up Ben Nevis is an on-line guidebook for anyone wanting to walk or climb up Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in Great Britain (and obviously, Scotland). Ben Nevis is one of the best walks in the Highlands of Scotland, though it does suffer from being rather popular. We have all the walking routes up Ben Nevis, and will outline all the routes to the summit and is designed to be used by anyone who fancies climbing up “The Ben” or if you’re setting out on the Three Peaks Challenge along with Snowdon or Scafell Pike. The Ben Nevis Interactive Map Page has an interactive map that shows all the walking routes as well as any facilities near by. There’s a page for each walk that shows the route and has a downloadable gpx file. You can add your Accommodation for Ben Nevis, or any relevant local business via our Business Listing Page – currently FOR FREE!

Main Walking Routes up Ben Nevis 

Route Name Starting Point and Post Code Distance, 
Ascent and
Time
Ben Nevis via The Mountain Track Glen Nevis Visitor Centre
PH33 6ST		 17km
1370m
8 hours
Ben Nevis via CMD Arete Glen Nevis Glen Nevis Visitor Centre
PH33 6ST		 19.8km
1800m
8 hours+
Ben Nevis via CMD Arete – North Face Car Park North Face Car Park
PH33 6SW for the turning at Torlundy!		 18km
1500m
8 hours+
Ben Nevis Via Carn Dearg South Lower Steall Falls Car Park
PH33 6SY – though this only gets you up the glen!		 4.4km*
1200m
4hrs**
Ledge Route North Face Car Park
PH33 6SW for the turning at Torlundy!		 8km*
1300m
5-6 hours**
Ben Nevis via CMD East Ridge Upper Steall Falls Car Park
PH33 6SY – though this only gets you up the glen!		 9.5km*
1430m
4 hours**

*Distance is for one way only

**Time is for one way only, and variable. Very fit walkers can walk up and down Ben Nevis in 4 hours and will know their own timings and speed. If in doubt, assume the longest duration for your ascent and add the longest for your descent, depending on route. Add a good half hour or more for the summit stop as well.

Main Walking Routes up Ben Nevis

Route Name Starting Point Parking Post Code Distance Ascent Walking Time
Ben Nevis via The Mountain Track Glen Nevis Visitor Centre PH33 6ST 17km 1370m 8 hours
Ben Nevis via CMD Arete Glen Nevis Glen Nevis Visitor Centre PH33 6ST 19.8km 1800m 8 hours+
Ben Nevis via CMD Arete – North Face Car Park North Face Car Park PH33 6SW for the turning at Torlundy! 18km 1500m 8 hours+
Ben Nevis Via Carn Dearg South Lower Steall Falls Car Park PH33 6SY – though this only gets you up the glen! 4.4km* 1200m 4hrs**
Ledge Route North Face Car Park PH33 6SW for the turning at Torlundy! 8km* 1300m 5-6 hours**
Ben Nevis via CMD East Ridge Upper Steall Falls Car Park PH33 6SY – though this only gets you up the glen! 9.5km* 1430m 4 hours**

*Distance is for one way only

**Time is for one way only, and variable. Very fit walkers can walk up and down Ben Nevis in 4 hours and will know their own timings and speed. If in doubt, assume the longest duration for your ascent and add the longest for your descent, depending on route. Add a good half hour or more for the summit stop as well.

Walk Up Ben Nevis Routes and Articles