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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.
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1344 m (4409 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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NN16697127
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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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1 of 282 Munros |
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The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
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2
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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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Possibly - Cloudy hill |
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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 (£13.49 Laminated) from |  |
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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.
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Hazards you may encounter on Ben Nevis include
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| Steep slopes on or near ascent routes. |
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| Stony/rocky Slopes 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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last of the snow cornice on nevis summit june 2008
© John Graham
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Image by John Graham
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Looking back up from where the CMD arete joins.
© Thomas Ralston
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Image by Thomas Ralston
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Ben Nevis seen from Carn Mor Dearg Arete
© James Corrigan
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Image by James Corrigan
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Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg from the Caledonian Canal
© Kris Benzie
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Image by Kris Benzie
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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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1370 m
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14.83 km
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5.5 hrs
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Ben Nevis
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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.
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2
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1778 m
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16.68 km
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6.5 hrs
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Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg
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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.
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Billy, George, Iwona & Brian relaxing at the summit
© Colin Dickson
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Image by Colin Dickson
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On the way up, the sun trying to come out and the snow just starting to fall. Still looking good for the summit.
© Colin Dickson
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Image by Colin Dickson
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Co-op expedition 12th April 2013. Colin, Billy, Iwona, George & Brian
© Colin Dickson
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Image by Colin Dickson
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Colin, Billy, Iwona, George & Brian on a very snowy, icy and cloud covered Nevis summit, 12th April 2013
© Colin Dickson
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Image by Colin Dickson
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| Showing the most recent 5 of 34 comments. Would you like to view all 34? |
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Colin Dickson
wrote on
April 14, 2013
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A group of 8 started our ascent on 12 April 2013, we split at 1000m and 3 returned at this point, the other 5 myself, Billy, Iwona, George and brian pushed on to the summit in favourable conditions, light snow, little wind and approx 0 degrees, The snow as we approached the boulder field was a foot deep and when we reached the summit the clouds above us cleared to reveal blue skies but no views as the cloud base was sitting just below the summit itself. we had the summit to ourselves and only saw 12 other people the entire trip. Mountain path, tedious, maybe but gloriously empty. worth it !!!!
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robert muir
wrote on
September 16, 2012
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I climbed Ben Nevis via CMD Arete . I started at the tourist route and turned left at the halfway lochan and walked away
around the north face and then a very tiring steep climb up to the ridge of the cmd and it wasnt that easy due to the 50 -
60mph winds then up the shoulder climb up to the summit was prettu brutal but i did get some clear views which made it even
better. it really is an amazing walk but not for the faint hearted as there is quite a bit of exposure and some scrambling and
watch out for gardyloo gully near the summit as its tricky to navigate in cloudy windy conditions. it took me 7 hours all in.
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Libby Lyle
wrote on
August 15, 2011
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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!
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Fiona Thomson
wrote on
August 14, 2011
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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.
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James Corrigan
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October 11, 2010
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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.
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