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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.

Climb a Munro

Climb a Munro this year and help raise money for charity. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk for details
Picture Gallery for Ben Nevis

Summit of the Ben 30th dec 2008 ...astounding

© Dougie Mccoll
Image by Dougie Mccoll

The cliffs of Ben Nevis from the ascent to CMD, proving that snow does last all year in Scotland - taken on 4 August 2008.

© Brian Howarth
Image by Brian Howarth

The north face seen from the track to the CIC hut 19/2/08

© Alistair Craig
Image by Alistair Craig

Ben Nevis & Carn Mor Dearg Arete panorama viewed from Carn Mor Dearg on 12th September 2009

© Keith Waugh
Image by Keith Waugh
View All 67 Images 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 'as the crow flies' from Ben Nevis
Please check the provision of roads in the area.
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
8.1 km
Coorie Doon
Old Banavie Road, Banavie, Fort William
9.2 km
MACDONALD HOTEL AND CABINS, KINLOCHLEVEN
Fort William Road, Kinlochleven
10.0 km
Glenloy Lodge
Muirshearlich, by Banavie, Fort William
12.1 km
Inverour Guest House
Roybridge Road, Spean Bridge
14.3 km
Bunroy Park Caravan/Camping/Holiday Lodges
Roy Bridge, Inverness-shire
14.5 km
Glencoe Independent Hostel
Glencoe, Nr Ballachulish, Argyll
14.5 km
The Stronlossit Inn
Roy Bridge, Inverness-shire
14.5 km
Glencaig self catering holiday cottage
No 6 Stronaba, Spean Bridge
15.3 km
The Old Coach House, North Ballachulish
6 Alltshellach Cottages, North Ballachulish
15.3 km
Sealladh Na Beinne
Old Town, North Ballachulish, Fort William
16.5 km
Àite Cruinnichiodh
1 Achluachrach, By Roy Bridge, Inverness-shire
28.9 km
Great Glen Hostel
South Laggan, Spean Bridge
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 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.  
2 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.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Ben Nevis

  Baggers Gallery for Ben Nevis

Give us a wave!

© Ross Morley-trapnell
Image by Ross Morley-trapnell

Me with Wife and Kids at the TOP

© Robert Smith
Image by Robert Smith

Me and Rob on top of Ben Nevis

© E.b.j. Workel
Image by E.b.j. Workel

Me at the summit of a long 14 hour day. well done Auchinleck hillwalking club on completing the locharbour travers, THERES HILLS TO BE DONE.

© John Frew
Image by John Frew
View All 92 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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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
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Alasdair Cairns
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Keith Waugh

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

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 32 comments. Would you like to view all 32?
Libby Lyle
wrote on
August 15, 2011
I summited Ben Nevis first in Aug 2010, the weather was awful and most of our group turned back but this time on 6th August 2011 we set off to raise funds for Make A Wish and the weather couldn't have been kinder, most of our group made it, 2 turned back just over half way with exhaustion but I have to say that sitting on the summit having lunch looking over all the mountain peaks that day is scenery I won't forget in a while. We watched some brave mountaineers tackle the north face and after the cold set in we moved onto our descent.....which was long to say the least! Beautiful and memorable!
fiona thomson
wrote on
August 14, 2011
Climbed again on 2.08.2010 with my friend Terry (who had only climbed 1 corbett before & wanted a challenge!). Started off on reasonably clear day again with some clouds & only got bad when we reached the top & had a wee shower of rain when at the summit. Cleared again on the way down & had spectacular views again. Love this hill, but forgot how boring and hard going it can get near the top but the wee glass of champagne again at the top (its tradition!) helped. Would definately do it again but hopefully next time not the tourist route.
James Corrigan
wrote on
October 11, 2010
Took the route North on to Carn Mor Dearg in clear weather for a magnificent walk.The Ben put on a magical show through the fast moving swirling clouds.Highlight was the long boulder scramble along Carn Mor Dearg Arete.The summit was mobbed out with folk as you would expect on a Sunday.We only met 8 other folk via the North route.
Lindsay Hemmings
wrote on
September 23, 2010
Started from the North face carpark at Torlundy and along Allt a' Mhuilinn then up the slope to CMD, along the arrete and onto Nevis. Can highly recommend this route - the only bad bit the tourist route back to the Lochan - after that away from the crowds again down grassy slopes to pick up the starting path. Time - just under 8 hours.
Steven Budd
wrote on
August 10, 2010
Excellent route climbed Ben Nevis via the CMD arete. was nice to stay away from the crowds although i did get lost when i arrived at the mountain hut at the foot of the north face of Ben Nevis, ended up having to climb about 900 ft up the face of the Carn Mor Dearg to get to the ridge. Would definitely recommend this route to anyone although you will need to be very fit. climbed in July 2010.
 
 

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
2 31 Jul 2010 The Three Peaks Challenge Michael Hill Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
 
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