Ben Nevis via Carn Dearg from the South

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Ben Nevis via Carn Dearg from the South

By Dave Roberts   

on January 3, 2021   No ratings yet.

Posted in Hard Walk, Walks in Scotland

Ben Nevis via Carn Dearg from the South

Further Details

Route Summary:

Pathless, steep and quiet! It’s the adventurous route from the south for experienced walkers only.

Start and Finish: Lower Steall Falls Car Park - Ben Nevis Summit

Distance: 4.4 km

Ascent: 1208 m

Time: 4 hours

Timings are approximate and depend on the individual. Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Facilities:

None

Hazards:

Pathless and steep.

Public Transport:

Occasional seasonal buses from Fort William to the Steall Falls car parks. Visit Shiel Buses Website for more information on the N42 bus route

Parking: 

Lower Steall Falls Car Park

Post Code for Sat Nav: PH33 6SY – though this only gets you up the glen!

Ben Nevis Guidebooks: 

Ben Nevis Maps: 

Ben Nevis via Carn Dearg from the South Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

Download file for GPS

Ben Nevis via Carn Dearg from the South

If you’re determined to climb Ben Nevis and avoid people as much as possible, then ascending either of the ridges that enclose Coire Eoghainn from Glen Nevis will do the trick. The SE ridge is rougher going, but the South West ridge along Carn Dearg (1020) is a much better prospect. This is the Carn Dearg to the south of Ben Nevis – not to be confused with the other Carn Dearg (1221) to the North! It’s steep, and at only 4.4km, the shortest route up Ben Nevis. Almost by default, that also makes it the steepest!

The route up Ben Nevis from the south starts from the Lower Steall Falls car park in Glen Nevis. It sets off steeply, and doesn’t really relent in that respect, initially along the Allt Coire Eoghainn. Coire Eoghainn marks the turning point as you head west up the steep slopes of Carn Dearg to it’s quiet summit. That’s around 900m of ascent over only 2km, so pretty steep! The remaining section is around the same distance, but only around 300m of climbing, practically flat in comparison! A slightly more level ridge joins the summit to Ben Nevis before a final steep pull to join the Mountain Path to the summit of Ben Nevis.

We’ll be adding the full Route Description as soon as we can persuade our Local Expert to walk this route!

Ben Nevis via Carn Dearg Gallery

 

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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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