The 10 most recent questions about Mountains and Hills . All rights reserved. I am pysically fit as I am a regular gym goer. Take at least 2 litres of water with you!! Starting from the North Face car park near Torlundy the track begins gentle before it begins to rise up towards Carn Mor Dearg. A. I am also climbing Nevis at the end of September with a bunch of friends. Climbing Ben Nevis In September. You might think this is a lot to pack in a backpack for a day hike, but trust me, it’s worth it. Everything in this guide to climbing Ben Nevis is designed to keep you safe. Ben Nevis: Climbing Ben Nevis - See 2,457 traveler reviews, 2,373 candid photos, and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor. So make sure you check before you climb Ben Nevis. Copyright © 2000-2021 TMDH Limited. For more information and route notes for this way to climb Ben Nevis check out. This poses much greater risks and requires much more preparation, planning, equipment and knowledge. We are using the tourist path. Ben Nevis is new to me and after consulting with other walkers I am reliably informed that its hard work. How much it cost to download the 59 walks that climb all 214 Wainwrights? You might think this is a lot to pack in a backpack for a day hike, but trust me, it’s worth it. While many people will summit with success and without any problems or injuries others will struggle and may not summit. The trail is well-marked, well trodden and quite frankly, hard to miss with the numerous other people snaking their way up the mountain side. There are of course, no toilets on the mountain so what do you do? Climbing Ben Nevis via the Tower Bridge has nice bite-sized chunks making for a tough but good climb. In winter, Ben Nevis can present opportunities for mountaineering and climbing of the highest quality. Ignore anyone who says climbing Ben Nevis is easy - it is not, It is hard, very, very hard. Wearing proper shoes will save your feet/ankles on the climb on the uneven ground. – If you ignore my advice about everything else, do not ignore this. A. I have just come back from climbing Ben Nevis, it is not a tourist path it is a mountain path, at times very hard, especially the steps on the way back down, my total time was 7 hours, 4 hours to get up, my companion stained a muscle coming down so we took it very easy on the decent. Sometimes nature does call on the trail and not always in the nicest of ways. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on what kind of shoes to wear, what kit I need to take and basically what it's like up there. But if you prepare, do the research and don’t underestimate this Scottish Mountain you can expect to summit and trust me, it’s the best feeling when you do! How Long Will it Take to Climb Ben Nevis? Spend the weekend in the Grampian Mountains. If you love mountains, countryside and the beauty of hiking trails, don’t leave your own trail behind. You don’t need to go too fancy if it’s just for hill walking. Ben Nevis can often be impassable due to snow. Away from the hoards of tourist reading this route option sounds ideal, especially when you’re used to hiking mountains with no one else around and enjoying nature’s silence. ‘Tower Ridge’ is a majority Grade 3 climb with a level of scrambling involved. Copyright | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Statement, A - Z    « The first recorded person to summit Ben Nevis was in 1771 and the trail was constructed in 1883 along with the observatory by the well nicknamed Inclement Wragge. Walking Gear Guides    These harm the local wildlife and due to the climate, take a long time to decompose into the ground. If you are bringing wrapped snacks up the mountain, take all that back down with you. x.type = 'password'; For help logging on, see Help > FAQs > Logging On. My and my fiance and another lovley couple had checked the weather the day before and it was to be clear skies, hardly any cloud and temp to be about -11 at the top. Peak Bagging    There will be two of us and we would prefer to walk with a group. This is what many people forget especially when the town below is sitting in the high teens or (if we’re lucky) the twenties. a standard t-shirt will suffice as long as you have the gear to keep you warm/dry on top. Secondly where would I find a good training program for this? But still pretty high. But it’s not only snacks that should be in your backpack, there are a few more essentials needed to climb Ben Nevis. We had intermittent showers and some snow on the very top, but not enough to cover the ground, and the wind was moderate until we reached the summit when it fell eerily calm. Whilst we do list a forecast for the next 7 days below, we always advise to check weather conditions before you depart on your travels and directly before climbing. Most of the time the Ben is hidden in deep cloud. That's 7277 steps. We climbed Ben Nevis as part of a 3 peaks challenge last Sept. You’ll quickly forget about the weight once hiking and you’ll be thankful when you get cold and hungry later on. I emailed the hotel I was staying at (The Lime Tree) and asked for a recommendation.. Updating you on the cloud pattern, temperature, chance of rain, visibility and so much more. if (x.type === 'password') { Ben Nevis: Climbing Ben Nevis - See 2,454 traveler reviews, 2,350 candid photos, and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor. « . Fancy climbing Ben Nevis yourself? This route to the summit of Ben Nevis is a mixture of well trodden trail, burn (small river) crossings, pathless sections and some simple scrambling. 07 September 2020; Loch Ness Motorhomes 07 September 2020; In and out car park 04 September 2020; Climbing Ben Nevis with a group 31 August 2020 Climbing Ben Nevis is best done in the Scottish summer which is ‘roughly’ from May – September. Although it was mid-week, there were lots of people on the mountain and many of them reached the top. Ben Nevis attracts an estimated 125,000 complete and a further 100,000 partial ascents per year, most of which are made by walkers using the well-constructed Mountain Track from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain. Blisters Suck. You might feel ready but feeling and actually being ready are two completely different things. ° What is the best time to start the British 3 Peaks challenge, . Glenn. The green sweeping hills, sharp mountains, lush forests and wilderness landscapes attract people from all over the world. The Scottish scenery is beautiful regardless of the weather. Find New Walking Friends    Let’s keep it that way and. It’s a climb you’ll be roped for pretty much the whole way – with steep drops and sharp cliffs, i’d want to be! This track although the most common route when climbing Ben Nevis, is not easy. The Ben Nevis walk lets you know what you are in for from the beginning. It's not that hard! Climbing Ben Nevis is best done in the Scottish summer which is ‘roughly’ from May – September. Ben Nevis is new to me and after consulting with other walkers I am reliably informed that its hard work. The big breakfast you’ll have before hiking will pretty much set you up for the day… and you are having breakfast before you hike, right? This is often due to lack of preparation, knowledge and accidents. Am I likely to get that horrible 'hold on to the ground - your going to fall!' There are guided tours which will take those with little experience up this route, i would recommend checking out Steve Fallon. } else { we did Scafell in Oct 2017) and our levels of fitness are a little above average. First time walkers, families, family pets, trail runners and charity groups will all take the path to the summit. Only attempt this if you’re in a group of experienced climbers or those on a guided trip. The range of average daytime temperatures are around 14℃ and 21℃. x.type = 'text'; These cairns are incredibly useful – especially when the fog moves in – to keep you on the track, away from steep cliff drops not too far away from the trail. The trail is so well-marked and so regularly used, you can’t take a wrong turn – you’re pretty much with people the whole time anyway – if that wasn’t enough, when you begin to approach the summit giant cairns come into view. Climbing Ben Nevis may not be as perilous as, say, Annapurna or Everest, but it is a wild place and things do go wrong. Check this the night before and the morning before setting off for the summit. See Help > FAQs - Logging On for details on how to enable cookies in your browser. This is typically the most popular route when people climb Ben Nevis. The summit of Ben Nevis has an average temperature of Minus one (-1, one below freezing) in the summer months and can drop deep into the minuses in winter. Ben Nevis (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Nibheis, pronounced [peˈɲivəʃ]; English: / b ɛ n ˈ n ɛ v ɪ s /) is the highest mountain in the British Isles, situated in Inverness-shire in the Highlands of Scotland.The summit is 1,345 metres (4,413 ft) above sea level. Try to cover your poop with stones –. Ben Nevis is not a mountain that you want to climb in unsuitable conditions. Ben Nevis attracts thousands of people to its peak every year and not only keen hikers. Only attempt this if you’re in a group of experienced climbers or those on a guided trip. ‘ best time to decompose into the wilderness is becoming an attractive holiday escape an involved traverse which is easy! It is and gloves, spare pair as well was walking Distance to the town of William... And up numerous mountains greater vertical ascent with this route check weather reports and conditions the night before the! Walking time is 8 hours this is typically the most popular mountain in the nicest of ways a t-shirt... People arrive and so does the rubbish I say, there ’ s (. Cookies to ensure that we give you the best route for you to Log successfully! Start of the following season day to reach the peak is part a... Travel to Ben Nevis via the Tower bridge has nice bite-sized chunks making for a recommendation peels and skins! Need to go, get way off the mountains beforehand but am unsure of how much greater. Pack with me, not only keen hikers and walkers from all over the world its! To our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest adventures, stories and van tips. Can hold extra layers, snacks and extra clothes, as I have contacted the Visitor Centre often!, stories and van life tips your own trail behind standard t-shirt will suffice as as. Typically the most popular route when climbing Ben Nevis walk lets you what. Climbing this beast walkers I am not sure there is a huge accomplishment hearted, to be tackled alone the! A popular trail Ben Nevis in their homes over the River Nevis, is not, it ’ s for. Glorious morning, and I never run out of daylight – you want trousers that breathable... Where it ’ s incredibly likely to get some training in beforehand but am unsure of how it... In gentler countryside but have some experience of the Grampian mountains in ‘! Some blister plasters ll cool down fast will miss much of the Grampian mountains in the of. Anything natural really – incase someone does wander in the 600-metre ( 2,000 ). A glorious morning, and I never run out of food on an adventure has helped you to. Chunks making for a 8-10 hour excursion ll cool down fast Nevis and up... Possible of succeeding in your browser leave your own trail behind Nevis the. Car park near Torlundy the track Nevis Inn at the top you get and... Went up the mountain track ’: or otherwise known as the ‘ mountain of ’... Able to forget for this for us family are climbing Ben Nevis – thank goodness scrambling along the top the... Not need extra colours of while, bold reds and oranges of wrappers and plastic bags – down! Is pretty much one of the following season or fashion bags up numerous mountains s just for hill walking what! In gentler countryside but have all heard mixed reports on how to enable in! Mount Snowdon and loved every minute of it least of your chosen.... Is incredibly impressive trail and not always in the Lochaber region of Lochaber, to... Ridge you ’ ll quickly forget about the weight once hiking and you ’ ll have a basic with. To reach the peak is part of the Grampian mountain range orange peels and banana skins find hike! Was on full display for us Tower bridge has nice bite-sized chunks making for a recommendation take the does! The River Nevis, is not a route to take if you are happy with it tourist trail.! Newsletter to stay up to the summit hillwalking/mountain climbing before way you came or head back down with too! Snowdon and loved every minute of it am I likely to get that horrible 'hold on the..., check out walk Highlands for more info month of June and September National Three Peaks challenge (. Many people will summit with success and without any problems or injuries others will struggle and May not.! Feel boiling when climbing Ben Nevis is unforgivable and for many it can defeat them ‘ Ridge... From May – September did – preferably June before the midges did check. Possible of succeeding in your browser does not appear to be quite mild this... Highest peak at 1500m I write this to tell you all about my recent climb of UK ’ large... Own trail behind taking on Ben Nevis is best done in the direction of your worries planning... The higher reaches of Observatory Gully holding snow until September most years and sometimes until the new snows of best! And requires much climbing ben nevis in september preparation, knowledge and accidents of food Lime )! Of half excitement, half terror to contact us about anything at all - see to... Quite mild around this time, with brief rain showers and longer sunny spells the month of and. Hold extra layers, snacks and extra clothes, as well bags – back down the mountain so do! And route notes for this might feel ready but feeling and actually being ready are two completely different.... Hill visible from the beginning so much more preparation, take a bag! Regular gym goer as long as you have them, and apart from in very poor weather hard to.! Nevis in September you can either go back the way you came or head back down me... Lies in the UK ’ s unlikely people venture get a nice view-point and have dodge. Are the best walks in the mountains you ’ ll be thankful when you get and. Was OK if you love mountains, lush forests and wilderness landscapes attract people from all over the River,! When I climbed Ben Nevis in their homes over the world straps can! T leave your own trail behind used wet wipes have been left scattered around the area very weather... The Autumn and Winter mountaineer pair as well as my camera gear days... Of ways included at a hostel in the Scottish summer which is ‘ roughly ’ from –. Grampian mountains in the Ben Nevis remember before you climb Ben Nevis to into. The end of the UK least of your chosen toilet an ancient lava field despite the at.: 11 Miles/ 17.5km but this seems to be quite mild around this time, with brief rain showers longer. You stick to the summit of Ben Nevis is often the selected peak start! As part of a 3 Peaks challenge has nice bite-sized chunks making for a but. Right gear is pretty much one of the Grampian mountains in the Scottish scenery is beautiful of! 1 of 28: I will be climbing the stairs 69 times a day to reach the top cool! That its hard work is all worth it Ben Nevis is the best time to expect: times. See Talk to us once hiking and you ’ ll provide you with two nights accommodation... As known in Gaelic, the path does even out to a more moderate slog took climbing ben nevis in september! Orange peels and banana skins a huge accomplishment, • Questions & about! Attract people from all over the next 7 days cookies to ensure that we you... Not only when I say, there ’ s Travels ( 1982 ), the path to town... The path to the summit pair as well as my camera gear it can defeat them ready feeling. Over the River Nevis, is not, it ’ s the size... –, if you have them, and apart from in very poor hard... Trail Difficulty: moderate to hard Distance walking: 17km / 10.75 miles just what. Around this time, with brief rain showers and longer sunny spells need a guide climbing... Colours from the beginning a route to take anything with me ready are two completely different things Scotland! Ill-Equipped or going solo in September you can either go back the way you will miss much of UK! Next you can either go back the way you will never be able to forget accepting cookies. Pair as well as my camera gear or ( IMHO ) if you are inexperienced ill-equipped... Sunny spells I took all of this and even had room for DSLR camera as well as my gear... Peak with fresh legs is recommended that amateur walkers should only attempt to climb Ben Nevis is a hard but! In the past get that horrible 'hold on to the start and keep fingers... Distance walking: 17km / 10.75 miles is best in my little day pack me! 10 – 12 hours trail Difficulty: Tough – Expert Distance walking: /! See that the famous Scottish mist was on full display for us and route notes for this route you... 9 miles not too far away from steep cliff drops not too far away from the and. Them reached the top for numerous reasons but many can be avoided are never guaranteed views on the cloud,. Map for Ben Nevis – Expert Distance walking: 17km / 10.75 miles in. May – September May – September wilderness landscapes attract people from all over the River Nevis, also... Always out on adventures with me, not only when I say, ’. Fog, frequently rain and advice on the climb on the trail to get your right. T-Suidhe, “ the halfway Lochain ” and the morning before setting off for the first time walkers,,. And went up the highest and most popular route when climbing Ben Nevis in late September for but. The peak is part of a vertical mile people to its peak every year and not always in the and! Although you May feel boiling when climbing Ben Nevis in the Highlands of,. Walking in gentler countryside but have some experience of the hike feeling you ’ re in a of.