Guide to the Ben Nevis Ledge Route

Ben Nevis is the tallest peak in the UK and an immensely popular destination for walkers who enjoy a mountain challenge. Which means it can attract larger crowds in the summer. So what do you do if you want to walk to the summit but avoid the crowds? You take the lesser travelled Ledge Route, of course. Approximately 9 km in length and covering 1,280 metres of ascent, the Ledge Route involves a long, challenging scramble that adds to the excitement. It’s by no means easy. So we created this quick guide to help establish whether this is the Ben Nevis route for you.

How challenging is the Ledge Route?

The Ledge Route is arguably more challenging than the CMD Arete route and a substantial step up from the Mountain Track. It’s a physically and technically demanding route that requires good navigation skills, as it’s easy to wander off the path and find yourself in steep and problematic terrain. While the scrambling is around the same level as the CMD route, it’s the overall experience – the navigation, the physical demands, and the technicality of the walk combined – that make this slightly trickier.

Who is the Ledge Route best suited to?

The Ledge Route isn’t for everyone. We think it’s best suited to the following groups and individuals:

• • Experienced hillwalkers – if you have a fair amount of experience in the mountains and are looking to push yourself further and take on harder routes that feature challenging scrambling, the Ledge Route is a great option.
• • Scramblers – if scrambling is a passion, you will love the hands-on nature of the Ledge Route. It doesn’t require any ropes or climbing equipment and, depending on who you ask, is either a hard Grade One or a more straightforward Grade Two scramble. Not too technical but with a fair bit of exposure, it is fantastic for honing your skills.
• • Hikers who prefer quiet routes – the Ledge Route is much quieter than either the Mountain Track or the CMD route, so it is ideal for those walkers who want to avoid the crowds, enjoy that sense of isolation and connect with nature.
• • Guided groups – because navigation is a little tricky, the Ledge Route is a brilliant option for guided walks. Joining a group headed by a qualified mountain leader with plenty of local expertise is an excellent way to experience the route if you’re concerned about doing it on your own.

We would not recommend the Ledge Route to complete beginners, people with relatively little mountain experience, or those uncomfortable with heights and exposure.

Following the Ledge Route

1. The start point

The Ledge Route starts at the North Face Car Park in Torlundy, just off the A82. Initially, the route follows the same forest path as the CMD route. It takes you up towards the Allt a’ Mhuilinn Valley, where you are greeted by stunning views of the North Face of Ben Nevis.

2. Approaching the North Face

On reaching the river, find the trail running along the east bank and follow it for several kilometres. Cross several small streams and aim for the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) Memorial Hut. Turn right at the CIC hut and head up the sloped slabs to the Number Five Gully. Follow the base of the cliffs to the bottom of the gully. You can also take a longer route around Moonlight Gully, but this is much less direct.

3. Ascending the scrambling section

You have reached the most challenging and difficult-to-follow section of the route. If you aren’t sure exactly where you’re going, you can quickly stumble into climbing territory. Follow the gully until you see a ramp on your right that passes beneath overhanging cliffs. Use it to leave the gully and then head up the trench on your left. Eventually, you’ll make for the rocky ridge and begin climbing along a narrow crest. Ascending west, you’ll reach a narrow section of the ridge and a short, tricky down climb. After that, it’s easier scrambling to the top of Carn Dearg.

4. To the summit

On reaching the Carn Dearg plateau, follow the corrie rim and head south to join the Mountain Track. Now, it’s a simple climb to the summit. All you’ve got to do now is choose your way back down – the Mountain Track for a more gentle descent or the CMD route for more scrambling and a big day out in the mountains!

Main challenges

When walking the Ledge Route, there are five main challenges to keep in mind.

1. Scrambling sections

Some scrambling sections require a decent technical ability, good balance and confidence in steep, rocky and sometimes loose terrain.

2. Navigation

Unlike the Mountain Track and CMD route, the Ledge Route is not always easy to follow and walkers need excellent navigation skills or prior knowledge of the route to avoid straying off path.

3. Exposure

As with most routes that involve some scrambling, certain parts of the Ledge Route feature exposure and may be intimidating for those afraid of heights.

4. Weather conditions

Ben Nevis is notorious for rapid weather changes and what can start as a bright, sunny day can quickly descend into strong winds, rain and mist. Always check the weather reports before starting your walk and recognise that adverse conditions will affect your walk, making it more difficult and potentially dangerous.

5. Shoulder seasons

We haven’t spoken about the winter here because the Ledge Route in the colder months is an entirely different beast, transforming into a technical mountaineering challenge that requires ice axes, crampons, and specialist knowledge. However, the shoulder seasons also pose a significant challenge, as the weather is more temperamental, conditions are tougher underfoot, and the rock on the scrambling sections is often slippier.

The Ledge Route with Climb Ben Nevis

At Climb Ben Nevis, we like to think our Guided Walks are made for routes like the Ledge Route. It’s an adventure that requires excellent navigation skills and expert insight from an experienced Ben Nevis walker, and our qualified mountain leaders deliver both. Tackling the Ledge Route with one of our mountain leaders takes the pressure off, allowing you to focus on enjoying the experience and working on your scrambling technique. There’s no worrying about straying from the route and you’ll have someone to help and support you the entire way.

If that sounds like something you want to try, check out our Climb Ben Nevis Guided Walks.