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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 |
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1148 m (3766 ft)
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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).
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NN49637184
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An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
| Stature |
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25 of 283 Munros |
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The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
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1
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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.
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Hill of rock and water |
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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.
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OS Landranger Maps Required |
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| Only £6.29 (£11.69 Laminated) from |  |
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The summit of Ben Alder is a gentle rise on an broad plateau close to the precipitous cliffs on its E flank overlooking Beallach Beithe. The ground initially slopes gently from the summit in all other directions, but the N flank of Ben Alder is also steep and craggy. The most common route of ascent is the NE ridge and involves a scramble up the more northerly shoulder of Coire na Lethchois. To the S there are the steep slopes of Coire Chomhlain, but the SE ridge gives easy access to Beallach Breabag which separates Ben Alder from Beinn Bheoil. To the W easy slopes lead down to Meall an t-Slugain and to the path through Beallach Dubh.
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Hazards you may encounter on Ben Alder include
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| Remote Mountain navigate with care. |
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| High Plateau, summit may be difficult to locate. |
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| Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags near summit. |
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| Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds. |
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General Considerations
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| Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent. |
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| Wind usually increases with altitude. |
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| Visibility can change markedly with cloud level. |
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| River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day. |
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Ben Alder (as well as Geal Charn amongst others)from the hills on the east side of the Drumochter Pass
© Sam Marshall
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Image by Sam Marshall
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The money shot! Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil viewed along Loch Ericht from Dalwhinnie. March '07.
© Alex Bryce
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Image by Alex Bryce
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Ben Alder viewed from the approach up the path by the Uisage Labhair from Corrour Shooting Lodge at the NE end of Loch Ossian.
© Graham Young
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Image by Graham Young
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Ben Alder (left) and Sgorr Iutharn , a minor top of Geal Charn (right), seen on the walk in from Loch Pattack. The ascent of Sgorr Iutharn takes you onto a short but very narrow ridge. The view of Alder is into Coire Lethchois.
© Bill Wales
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Image by Bill Wales
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Ascent
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Distance
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Time
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Including...
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Description
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Rating
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1
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1819 m
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46.70 km
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12.5 hrs
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Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil
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This long route (with some scrambling) is more of an expedition. If you cycle to Loch Pattack the remaining route is 7h, 22km, ascent 917m which can be completed on a long summer day. Otherwise take a tent.
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John and Cassie at the top.
© Vicki Deritis
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Image by Vicki Deritis
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min.jpg "Click to enlarge")
Graham & Joanne at the summit of Ben Alder early May 2006.
© Graham & Joanne Bullen
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Image by Graham & Joanne Bullen
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Lynda & Scott on Ben Alder 29th April 2006
© Lynda Langlands
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Image by Lynda Langlands
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Michael and Arran at summit of Ben Alder, Michael's 184th Munro - 100 to go - 24.4.05
© Michael Bird
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Image by Michael Bird
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| Showing the most recent 5 of 9 comments. Would you like to view all 9? |
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Chris Ridley
wrote on
August 10, 2008
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The complete round of all 6 Munros here is possible after an overnight in Culra...its a long day with a drop down below the Bealach Dubh and then steep climb back up to the Ben Alder plateau. Care should be taken in cloud as you follow the crags south then south east to the terminus of Ben Alder above Bealach Breabag. At the terminus the path peters out - head west then south down easy grassy slopes to reach the bealach.
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Peter Lang
wrote on
September 10, 2007
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Camped alongside Culra Bothy, cycle in took 1.5 hrs cyclable all the way via stalkers path at end. 3 bothies in one building all with seperate entrances. Fantastic circuit via long leachas and pleasant walk around plateau rim to summit shelter. Strange to be here a week after someone blown off. Sunshine on excellent grassy descent from Beinn Bheoil ridge walk to finish. superb day and quick cycle back to Dalwhinnie.
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Ben Dolphin
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May 8, 2007
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For those without a bike it's always going to be a long walk-in. Personally I didn't fancy the long dusty track from Dalwhinnie so opted for an approach from Luiblea in Glen Spean, going over the beallach below Geal Charn and joining the Dalwhinnie track just west of Loch Pattack. It was 3 hours to Culra this way. A long day though, and I don't mind saying it's a tad disheartening to get down from Ben Alder after 7 hours only to realise it'll take 4 more and another 400m of ascent before you get back to Luiblea. A wonderful pair of hills though, well worth the effort. Short Leachas is great!
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Stephen Crook
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August 17, 2006
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What an adventure! Canoed down from Dalwhinie to shore opposite lower slopes of Beinn Bheoil. We camped on the shore and climbed both Beinn Bheoil and Ben Alder by heading straight for the coll north east of the summit of Beinn Bheoil then going round to Ben Alder. We descended south east from the Ben Alder summit down steep mixed slopes to Loch a Bealaich Bheithe. We followed the path north east on the shore of the Loch until we were able to follow a stalkers path around the northern lower slopes of Sron Dreineach back to our camp on the shore of Loch Ericht. An excellent adventure.
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Ian Maclean
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April 10, 2006
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Absolute peach of a mountain. My first visit was in 2002 when I walked in from Corrour and pitched the tent beside the Uisge Labhair. Cracking hike in and climb the next day with return via the track from Ben Alder cottage. A truly majestic hill.
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There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for Ben Alder
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.jpg "Click to enlarge")
