Other Mountain Walks Near Ben Nevis

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Other Mountain Walks Near Ben Nevis

By Dave Roberts   

on August 3, 2018   No ratings yet.

Posted in Walks in Scotland

Other Mountain Walks Near Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis might be the highest mountain in Scotland, but it’s surrounded by three other mountain ranges that just exude quality. These mountains are the immediate neighbours, and they’re all classic Munro walks – each and every one a must do on the hill walker’s to do list. Anyone who wants a REAL mountain challenge can walk across all three, as well as Ben Nevis and the CMD by completing the Ramsay’s Round.

The Aonachs

The nearest neighbours to Ben Nevis are the Aonachs. Aonach Beag is the tallest (yes, we know Beag is small) and Aonach Mor is slightly shorter at 1234 and 1221 metres in height respectively. The walker up these munros can cheat by riding the Nevis Range gondola up to arund 650m and walk the rest of the way. In winter, you’ll need to fight your way through the skiers – which is what these mountains are best know for. They can be approached from Glen Nevis, a much rougher proposition.

The Grey Corries

Just beyond the Aonachs on the northern side of Glen Nevis, or actually what is now the Abhainn Rath – are the Grey Corries with their distinctive quartzites screes making them unmistakable. They are usually ascended from the north, for the simple reason of accessibility, although even then any approach will be an epic day out.

Stob Ban is particularly awkward – being an outlier it’s not easily added to a full traverse and may need a trip down Lairig Leacach and an overnight stay at the bothy. We approached them from the Lairig Bothy after camping out on the twin peaks of Stob a’ Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain the previous night. The ridge walk between Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Coire Easain (another one, not the one previously mentioned!) is absolutely sublime, with airy views and a few sections of scrambling.  One that should be on everyone’s to do list.

The Mamores

While the Abhainn Rath and Glen Nevis is bound to the north by the three ranges of Ben Nevis, Aonachs and the Grey Corries, the south is all Mamores. An extensive mountain range with numerous Munros, often ascended from Kinlochleven. However, the best route on the Mamores is the Ring of Steall. This is an adventurous grade 1 scramble up Sgurr a’ Mhaim, Stob Choire a’ Mhail, Sgurr an Lubhair and Am Bodach before a return along Stob Choire a’ Chairn, An Garbhanach and An Gearanch and past the Steall Falls to the beginning of the route.

That still leaves a number of outliers to those wishing to bag the lot, with Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean to the west and the highest point in the Mamores – Binnein Mor and numerous other summits to the east. Binnein Mor has it’s own awkward outliers so you may need a couple of walks to climb the lot!

For more information on these routes – we recommend Cicerone’s Walking the Munros: Southern, Central and Western Highlands Volume 1 (British Mountains)

 

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Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

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Gear you may need

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 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.

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