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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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Climb a Munro
Climb a Munro this year and help raise money for charity. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk for details
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The long and short leachas from Carn Dearg
© Alex Bryce
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Image by Alex Bryce
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From Meall Chuaich: Ben Alder on the left beyond Loch Ericht,
with the Geal Charn range on the right.
© Roger Vander Steen
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Image by Roger Vander Steen
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Ben Alder from a slightly different angle. 27th June 2010.
© Colin Fridge
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Image by Colin Fridge
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Remaining snow cornices around the rim of Garbh Choire seen from the cairn on a warm Friday the 13th of April 2007.
© Graham Young
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Image by Graham Young
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Like the idea of a more mobile base for your next Munro?
Fantastic, high quality, heated, 2-4 berth campervans for hire. The perfect winter base: freedom to choose where you go to get the most from the weather, & a cosy base to come back to after a great day on the hill!
Big Tree Campervans – create your own adventure!
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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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Me and Owen on the summit of Ben Alder, 22nd April 2011. After a day of rain
and low cloud, the weather improved shortly after we summited Ben Alder
and we had sunshine for the descent down Long Leachas.
© Michael Hill
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Image by Michael Hill
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Summit of Ben Alder 22/04/2011. What a great walk and cycle!
© john wells
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Image by john wells
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Myself and wee Fernie at the top of a rather windswept Ben Alder 27th June 2010
© Colin Fridge
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Image by Colin Fridge
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Me on summit,(19,6,10).
© Mark Thomson
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Image by Mark Thomson
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| Showing the most recent 5 of 13 comments. Would you like to view all 13? |
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John Mortimer
wrote on
July 28, 2011
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I tried the cycle route from Gallovie but found it difficult with a tent etc. Had to remove panniers for the high stile and the swing bridge. Also there are a number of sandy streches that I could not cycle on the inward journey but just managed some on the return. Probably better for younger, fitter and more proficient mountain bikers.
The Dalwhinnie route has ben resurfaced from above Ben Alder Lodge to the hay feeder. Overall I think this is the better route altghough, if you are travelling from the west you will save road miles via Gallovie.
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Joseph Buchanan
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July 24, 2011
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Did all six with my wife we cycled in from Dalwhinnie to Culra which took around 2 hours and camped across from the bothy. In the morning we took to Carn Dearg directly behind the bothy. The complete route took us 12 hours it was a glorious day and we took our time and had many stops. With hindsight I would have did the route clockwise and climbed Beinn Bheoil first. This would give you a better approach to Ben Alder with better views
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Richard Goodman
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May 2, 2011
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If cycling in consider taking the track from the turn off for Galiovie farm on the A86 Laggan road. Parking available at Strathmashie 1km or 2km before the turn off. It is longer than the track from Dalwhinnie but apart from a couple of short steep bits and a boggy section just before Loch Pattack, the gradient is fairly gentle and it gives easier cycling than the track from Dalwhinnie and is scenically more interesting.
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John Mcallister
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April 9, 2010
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I did these two from Moy, walked in over Creag Pitrech and nirghbour, stayed at culra, ben alder and ben bhieol the next day, another bothy stop then a quick dash out again over Beinn a' Clachair- which was surprisly easy, decent path all the way up. Could easily be cut down to a one night stop though would be quite task.
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Chris Ridley
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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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There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for Ben Alder
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