Ben Nevis Route Guide

The iconic Ben Nevis stands tall and proud in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The highest mountain in the UK, it tops out at an impressive 1,345 metres and is home to a wide range of beautiful hiking routes. It makes it a seriously appealing destination for walkers, climbers and mountain-lovers. However, with several routes to choose between, how do you know which one’s right for you? With this in mind, we created a comprehensive route guide to the main Ben Nevis routes, as well as a couple of extra options.

1. Mountain Path (Tourist Route)

Distance: 4 miles / 6.5km
Ascent: 1,300m
Time to the top: 4 hours
Start Point: Ben Nevis Visitor Centre

Also known as the Tourist Route, Pony Track or Ben Path, the Mountain Path is the route best suited to first-time visitors who are not experienced in the mountains. While no route up Ben Nevis is “easy” – it is the tallest mountain in the UK – this is the easiest option available. That doesn’t detract from the experience, though. While you are more likely to share the trail with a significant number of fellow hikers (particularly in the busier months), it’s still a great route up the mountain.

How challenging is the Mountain Path?

Though almost everyone would agree that this is the most straightforward and least physically demanding Ben Nevis route, you shouldn’t underestimate it. There’s actually been a bit of a move away from using the Tourist Route name over concerns it made the trail sound like a walk in the park and people were turning up unprepared and ill-equipped to take on the challenge. While the Mountain Path requires no technical mountain skills and features no scrambling, it requires a good level of physical fitness.

Route instructions

The route begins at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre and is well-signposted most of the way. From the Visitor Centre, cross the bridge, take an immediate right and follow the path to the Ben Nevis Inn. Heading southeast, you will cross several styles before zig-zagging up through woodland. On exiting the woods, you should reach the Halfway Lochan. As the name suggests, you’re well on your way to the summit now.

Above the Halfway Lochan, turn right at the junction and head south. The rocky path then switchbacks up the mountainside, toward the summit. Though this section of the route is well-marked by cairns, it can be difficult to follow in low visibility. You can return via the same path, but be careful navigating off the summit as there are a series of dangerous gullies to avoid.

The Mountain Path is best for:

• First-time visitors to Ben Nevis who want the most straightforward option.
• Walkers who don’t want any scrambling or low-grade climbing on the route.
• Hikers who feel more comfortable knowing other walkers are never far away.

2. Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête (CMD Arête)

Distance: 5.5 miles / 9km
Ascent: 1,390m
Time to the top: 5 hours
Start Point: North Face car park

This bilingual route – Càrn Mòr Dearg means Great Red Peak in Scottish Gaelic and Arête is the French word for a sharp, jagged ridge that separates two valleys – represents a step-up from the Mountain Path and features some excellent scrambling. Often shortened to the CMD or CMD Arête route, it is a thrilling way to reach the summit and, combined with a return along the Mountain Path, makes for a brilliant horseshoe route.

How challenging is the CMD Arête?

While the CMD route is pretty non-technical at the start, that changes considerably once you hit Càrn Mòr Dearg’s summit and take on the arête. In the summer, this is a Grade One scramble, so it’s not too extreme. However, it does include significant exposure and requires a head for heights and confidence in your abilities to traverse a rocky, boulder-strewn ridgeline safely. The nature of the terrain makes this a long day out, too. So you need to be in good physical shape.

Route instructions

The route begins at the North Face car park. Heading south, follow the forest tracks to a large river. Rather than crossing, follow the path uphill along its bank. You should be able to see Càrn Mòr Dearg in the distance ahead. Turn left onto a boggy path that cuts across the slopes of Càrn Beag Dearg (CBD) and toward the summit of the confusingly named Càrn Dearg Meadhonach (CDM). From there, it’s a short distance to the CMD peak and the start of the ridgeline.

At first, the ridge will curve down and away from the CMD summit before rising toward Ben Nevis. While you can scramble across the boulders on the crest the entire way, there is often a path slightly below the tip of the ridgeline that can make things a little easier. Take it slowly and enjoy the magnificent views as you close in on the summit!

The CMD Arête is best for:

• Hikers who enjoy the challenge of an exposed ridgeline scramble.
• Visitors who want a quieter, less busy trail with a more secluded feel.
• Experienced walkers who know how to pace themselves and manage their time. This can be a long day out.

3. Ledge Route

Distance: 5.5 miles / 9km
Ascent: 1,280m
Time to the top: 4 hours
Start Point: North Face car park

The Ledge Route is probably the least used of the three routes mentioned so far. But that doesn’t mean it is not worthy of consideration. While the CMD route hogs most of the limelight with its spectacular ridgeline views, the Ledge Route poses a very different challenge. A more direct route, it’s also a Grade One scramble and technically similar in difficulty to CMD. However, route finding is much harder and it’s easy to stray into much more challenging and potentially dangerous terrain if you are not 100% sure of the route, lack the necessary navigation skills or simply aren’t paying enough attention. Nevertheless, it is a hugely rewarding route that gives experienced climbers a means of seeing the mountain from another perspective.

How challenging is the Ledge Route?

We would argue that the Ledge Route is both physically and technically more challenging than the CMD route. While the scrambling isn’t more difficult in and of itself, ensuring you stay on the Ledge Route and don’t wander into rock climbing territory makes this a more demanding proposition. The route joins up with the Mountain Path towards the end. So once you’re done with the scrambling, things do get much easier. Which route you return along will also influence the difficulty. The Ledge Route is a one-way route (or most people consider it so), so you can either head back via the easier Mountain Path or opt for a long, physically intense day by returning on the CMD route.

Route instructions

The route starts at the North Face Car Park and initially follows the same forest paths as the CMD route. When you reach the river, follow the trail running up the east bank for several kilometres. As you head into the bowl formed between Ben Nevis and the surrounding peaks, you will cross a number of small streams before reaching the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) Memorial Hut.

Turn right at the CIC Hut and climb up through the boulders that line the Number Five Gully. This is where things get tricky and it’s important to know the route, as we want to avoid getting stuck in the Gully and stick to the Grade One scrambling that leads up and along the ridgeline to Càrn Dearg. Once at Càrn Dearg (which shouldn’t be confused with Càrn Mòr Dearg), head south until you join up with the Mountain Path. This will take you up to the summit of Ben Nevis.

The Ledge Route is best for:

• Experienced walkers who enjoy challenging scrambles.
• Hikers with good navigation skills, prior knowledge of the route, or companions who can act as a guide.
• Those who want to maximise the likelihood of walking on empty trails.

Alternative options

While the Mountain, CMD and Ledge Routes are considered the three main routes up Ben Nevis, there are alternatives. We’ve chosen to cover these in slightly less detail because one of them involves some tough scrambling that verges on rock climbing, while the other is a long-distance route that goes above and beyond what most people will want from their visit to Ben Nevis. Despite this, a brief overview of these routes will demonstrate just how diverse and exciting Ben Nevis is for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Tower Ridge route

Tower Ridge is rightly considered one of the UK’s best mountaineering routes and attracts climbers and mountaineers from wide and far. It’s a technically challenging route that includes several challenging features, including the Tower Gap, Eastern Traverse and Great Tower. It requires specialist climbing equipment and an ability to cope with significant exposure, but it rewards intrepid adventurers with an unforgettable experience.

How challenging is the Tower Ridge route?

The Tower Ridge route requires an excellent fitness level and previous mountain experience. It involves Grade Three scrambling. Climbing experience is beneficial but not imperative if accompanied by an accredited Mountain Leader. We wouldn’t recommend attempting Tower Ridge unless you are confident in your skills and experience or you are with a professional guide. If you want to build the abilities required to take on something like the Tower Ridge route, explore our sister company RAW Adventures’ Mountain Skills and Winter Mountain Skills courses.

The Tower Ridge route is best for:

• Experienced scramblers and climbers who know how to move safely over challenging terrain and use the necessary equipment.
• Those who want to take on one of the toughest Ben Nevis routes.

Lochaber 4000s

The Lochaber 4000s is a long, physically demanding route that takes you over various local peaks, most notably Ben Nevis, Carn Mor Dearg, Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag. Most people complete the route in a single day as there isn’t any easy access to accommodation along the way. It involves 2,220 metres of ascent over a 20 km (12-mile) route and you can expect it to take anywhere from 9 to 12 hours depending on your fitness level and pacing. While this route is both physically and technically challenging, the scenery is simply breathtaking and the longer route provides a broader perspective on the mountain environment around Ben Nevis.

How challenging is the Lochaber 4000s route?

The Lochaber 4000s challenges you in every way and you shouldn’t underestimate just how draining this route can be. You will need experience with long days in the mountains and be comfortable with the idea of potentially walking from dawn to dusk. The route includes the CMD arête, so you should also be happy with some light scrambling and decent exposure.

The Lochaber 4000s route is best for:

• Walkers who like to make a whole day of it.
• Physically fit hikers with plenty of experience in the mountains, a head for heights and good scrambling skills.
• Those who want to explore the area around Ben Nevis rather than heading straight for the summit.

Climb Ben Nevis with the experts

At Climb Ben Nevis, we offer Guided Walks throughout the summer and winter, enabling you to explore the mountain while enjoying a supportive and social environment. While summer walks are a great option if you’re fairly new to mountain walking (or just don’t enjoy the cold weather aspect), our winter walks offer an opportunity to develop your winter mountain skills and get some experience in more challenging conditions.

All our walks are led by accredited Mountain Leaders and local experts, ensuring you stay safe and get the most from your experience. Finally, we also arrange private walks for individuals and groups who want to tailor the experience to your ability level and perhaps try a different route.

If you have any questions concerning our guided walks, please feel free to get in touch!