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Home   Glossary

Ben Nevis

Munro

Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1344 m (4409 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN16697127
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
1 of 283 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
2
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Possibly - Cloudy hill
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  41   Ben Nevis, Fort William & Glen Coe
Only £6.29  (£11.69 Laminated) from  

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

 Description
Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, forms a horse-shoe shape ridge with Carn Mor Dearg, the massive Nevis dwarfing the latter (9th highest).

The two mountains are connected by a narrow ridge with a rocky crest, the Carn Mor Dearg (CMD) arete.The easiest ascent of "The Ben" is from Glen Nevis, via Meall an t-Suidhe to the W following the old road which was constructed to service the hotel and observatory, now both ruins near the summit. This route reveals little of the magnificence of Nevis, and there is an alternative route for hill-walkers who can cope with scrambling, via Carn Mor Dearg and the CMD arete.

An ascent is also possible via the head wall of Coire Leis to join the southern end of the CMD arete. Both these routes approach the summit of Ben Nevis from the E. The N face of the Ben should be left to mountaineers with rock climbing experience.

Hazards you may encounter on Ben Nevis include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Ben Nevis

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

 Weather & OS Maps
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)
Nevis Range
by Accuweather
West Highlands
by Met Office
Ben Nevis
by Metcheck
Ben Nevis Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

 Where to Stay
Results by distance from Ben Nevis
6.2 km
Farr Cottage Lodge and Activity Centre
Corpach, Fort William
6.7 km
Stobhan
Fassifern Road, Fort William
7.0 km
Calluna
Heathercroft, Fort William, PH336RE
7.4 km
Ashburn Guest House
Achintore Road, Fort William
7.4 km
Glenaladale House B&B
Achintore Road. Fort William
8.1 km
Coorie Doon
Old Banavie Road, Banavie, Fort William
8.7 km
Seangan Croft Self Catering
Seangan Bridge Banavie Fort William Scotland
10.0 km
Glenloy Lodge
Muirshearlich, by Banavie, Fort William
11.7 km
Spean Bridge Hotel
Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire
12.1 km
Inverour Guest House
Roybridge Road, Spean Bridge
12.1 km
Distant Hills Guest House
Roy Bridge Road, Spean Bridge
14.2 km
Tigh Floraidh
2 Strathcona Cottages Glencoe Argyll
14.3 km
Dunhafen Bed and Breakfast
Glenspean Park, Roy Bridge, Inverness-Shire
14.5 km
Glencoe Independent Hostel
Glencoe, Nr Ballachulish, Argyll
14.5 km
Glencaig self catering holiday cottage
No 6 Stronaba, Spean Bridge
15.4 km
STRATHASSYNT GUEST HOUSE
Loanfern, Ballachulish, NR. Glencoe, Highlands.
16.3 km
Birchbrae Luxury Self Catering Lodges
Birchbrae, Onich, Fort William
16.4 km
Àite Cruinnichidh
1 Achluachrach, By Roy Bridge, Near Fort William, Inverness-shire
21.0 km
Old School House, Tulloch (Rushyglen Ltd)
Tulloch, Roybridge
21.0 km
Torr an Daimh, Tulloch (Rushyglen Ltd)
Tulloch, Roybridge
32.4 km
Ardgarry Farm
Faichem, Invergarry, Inverness-shire
32.5 km
Invergarry Lodge
Mandally Road, Invergarry
For information on camping visit
ScottishCamping.com who also produce
a map of scottish camp grounds.
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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Ben Nevis.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

 Routes that include Ben Nevis
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1778 m 16.68 km 6.5 hrs Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg  This is a more difficult ascent with some exposure and scrambling, but it avoids most of the crowds and gives a taste of real mountaineering. Navigate with care, this is a dangerous mountain for the unwary.  
2 1370 m 14.83 km 5.5 hrs Ben Nevis  This is the "Tourist Route" which thousands climb each year, it is fairly strenuous. It can, however, be a serious ascent as the "path" disappears on the higher boulder slopes and navigational errors can and do lead to disaster.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Ben Nevis

 Baggers Gallery for Ben Nevis

myself at the rescue shelter 29.5.10

© iain watson

Image by iain watson

Me Topping out 18/3/10 Indicator Wall

© Gareth Lynn

Image by Gareth Lynn

me , bro , duce , and nelson at the start of big ben ;-)))!!

© Lee Dawson

Image by Lee Dawson

A very snowy track up to the north face, 18th February 2010

© Alistair Craig

Image by Alistair Craig
View All 72 Baggers Images for Ben Nevis
The logging section stores any entries for Ben Nevis in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
 Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Marie Somers on 28 Jul 2010
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Steven Jones on 29 May 2010
Adrian Laishley on 29 May 2010
Stuart Mcgeown on 29 May 2010
iain watson on 29 May 2010
Michael Murray on 28 May 2010
Martin Scott on 25 May 2010
William Thomson on 24 May 2010
David Hughes on 22 May 2010
Scott Walker on 22 May 2010
Chris Mercer on 21 May 2010
Michael Kerrigan on 15 May 2010
Peter Sinclair on 15 May 2010
Ian Finnie on 14 May 2010
John Forrest on 14 May 2010
Alex Scott on 05 May 2010
Sarah Macfarlane on 01 May 2010
Gareth Lynn on 18 Apr 2010
Alan Tracey on 10 Apr 2010
BRUCE SLOAN on 03 Apr 2010
Dave Smith on 11 Feb 2010
Fiona Reid on 29 Dec 2009
Mike Watson on 29 Dec 2009
Stewart Dickson on 12 Dec 2009
Liam O'Hagan on 12 Dec 2009
Simon Small on 10 Dec 2009
Mark Stevens on 04 Dec 2009
David Scott on 22 Nov 2009
Fiona Reid on 23 Oct 2009
Keith Ross on 23 Oct 2009
Mike Watson on 23 Oct 2009
Andrew Waddie on 17 Oct 2009
Stephen Martin on 12 Oct 2009
Sarah Holroyd on 04 Oct 2009
VALERIE MATHESON-MACIVER on 19 Sep 2009
Philip Thompson on 17 Sep 2009
Abbie Wilkins on 15 Sep 2009
Gary Flood on 13 Sep 2009
Grant Golding on 12 Sep 2009
Scott Walker on 12 Sep 2009
Keith Waugh on 12 Sep 2009
Willie Massie on 07 Sep 2009
Anthony Brawley on 05 Sep 2009
David Alexander on 02 Sep 2009
Charlie Gallagher on 30 Aug 2009
William Gordon on 29 Aug 2009
Graham Guffie on 29 Aug 2009
Danny Lynch on 29 Aug 2009
Grant Simpson on 29 Aug 2009
Ruth Macdonald on 28 Aug 2009
James Harper on 16 Aug 2009
James Harper on 16 Aug 2009
Gail Easton on 08 Aug 2009
Sarah Holroyd on 08 Aug 2009
Claire Wales on 08 Aug 2009
Brian Doolan on 06 Aug 2009
Thomas Matthew on 02 Aug 2009
Thomas Matthew on 02 Aug 2009
Martin Briggs on 31 Jul 2009

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by David McSporran
Ben Nevis
by Neil Cuthbert
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Brian Doolan
Ben Nevis
by Claire Wales
Ben Nevis
by Jan Konstmann
Ben Nevis
by Alan Parker

Post a few words about Ben Nevis or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 26 comments. Would you like to view all 26?
James Barnet
wrote on
July 16, 2010
In my opinion it is irresistible to climb Ben Nevis without combining it with Carn Mor Dearg, providing a fantastic traverse taking in 2 Munros and surely some of the best scenery in the British Isles. Have just come back from the area and climbed the Ben via Carn Mor Dearg and the CMD arete on 12.07.2010, having waited almost a week for suitable weather. Apart from occasional showers, the arete was largely cloud-free from around 12pm, with fine views across Glen Nevis to the Mamores. Arriving suddenly at the Ben Nevis summit in sunshine was certainly a memorable experience...
Paul Craigie
wrote on
July 5, 2010
What is to say? A long arduous trek. Got to the top, popped open the champers and began the weary calf busting ramble down.Two mins later....the coldest, fastest and depressing rain fall ever!!! Brrrr...soaked and freezing in seconds..15 mins later brilliant sunshine and a nice wind to dry the clothes...a fine day was had....
Chris Mercer
wrote on
May 22, 2010
Climbed the Ben via CMD on the hottest day of the year so far!! Glorious sunshine and cloud free arete and summits. The ascent (or slog) up the side of Carn Dearg Meadhonach from the Allt a' Mhuilinn was relentless the views of the North face of the Ben made up for it. The arete was easier than we thought it was going to be with minimal scrambling and exposure. Our border collie managed it without difficulty but probably would not recommend this route for the average dog.
Keith Waugh
wrote on
July 21, 2009
Prior to this trip in June 09, I last "did" Ben Nevis in May'89, going via Carn Mor Dearg and the amazing Arete. It was a hard slog up the final boulder slope to the top of Ben Nevis. Fantastic views of the North Face for those of us who are not mountaineers. This time, June'09, it was also a glorious day with no wind, just warm sunshine. Really calm on top and a fabulous place to be. Must go more often!! There is something strangely magical about the top of Ben Nevis.
Pamela Davidson
wrote on
June 1, 2009
We walked on a magnificent day on Sunday the 31st May - still knee deep in snow at the summit despite the unbelievably hot sun! I agree with previous comments with regards to the sheer amount of people that are unprepared for climbing, we passed by children with 3/4 length jeans and trainers, football fans with cans of lager teenagers wearing swiming shorts and plimsoles! i was totally amazed at their lack of respect for this kind of terrain. what also disgusted me is the amount of litter left along the trail of the mountain, If you carry it up, CARRY IT DOWN. An unbelievably beautiful climb.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

 Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 29 Jul 2010 Climbed Ben Nevis to raise funds for St.Columbus Hospice Marie Somers Ben Nevis Not Yet Rated
 
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