How hard is the walk up Ben Nevis?

It's about 11 miles and should take 4-8 hours. Carn Mor Dearg Arête is a challenging route that's not suitable for beginners – only the most experience hikers and climbers should attempt this route. It has exposed sections and technical graded scrambles and can take up to 13 hours.



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Don't forget, this is the highest point of the entire British Isles. You'll need good cardio fitness to keep walking uphill for 6+ hours, and strong legs, core, and upper body to carry your stuff.

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An average time to the summit and back is 7 – 8 hours. Walkers fit enough to try to climb The Three Peaks in 24 hours need to take 5 hours or less. The winner of The Ben Race each September gets to the summit and back in around 90 minutes.

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Novice walkers – 6+ hours Hikers attempting Ben Nevis who perhaps don't go on big walks particularly often. By no means an athlete, but reasonably fit enough to scale the peak at their own pace with plenty of room for breaks along the way.

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Firstly, it's more than a gentle stroll. You need to be reasonably fit before you consider making the ascent, and we wouldn't recommend a Ben Nevis walk for beginners.

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I would not ever recommend doing Ben Nevin alone. You may think that as there is a good path to the summit, then you will not get lost but unless you have very good map reading skills and the ability to use a compass competently, the risk is there during bad weather.

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Ben Nevis is purportedly the hardest mountain (and highest peak) of the Three Peaks Challenge. That's why people tend to do it first if they're taking the 24 hour challenge.

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The North Face of the mountain offers the greatest challenges of all. The Ledge route is a non-climbing route, but it still has some sections of grade 1 scrambles. You may encounter pockets of snow even in early summer, so it's best to have some knowledge of using ice axes and crampons.

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There are no toilets on the mountain, the only access you have to toilets is at the Ben Nevis Visitors center. The opening hours of these change during the year so it is worth checking with them if you have any questions.

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Of the 3 both me and the wife found scafell the easiest. Nav would be harder than snowdon if it came in but i really enjoyed it.

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Weather on Ben Nevis It is strongly recommended that your first ascent of Ben Nevis be attempted during the summer months (approximately May to September). The chances of reasonable weather over this period are much greater than at other times, and the longer days are definitely reassuring.

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The route used to climb Ben Nevis during the 3 Peaks Challenge is the Mountain Track which is popularly known as the 'Pony Track'. This is the best route for summiting Ben Nevis without the need for climbing equipment or extensive previous mountaineering experience.

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Ben Nevis hill walk North Face car park is the starting point for the Carn Mor Dearg Arete route up Ben Nevis. While considered to be one of the most spectacular hill walks in the country, it's a long and extremely challenging route even by the standards of experienced hill walkers.

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Yes. That's the short answer. I had a relatively straightforward (albeit it tiring) hike with my 7 year old to the summit of Ben Nevis. Of course, there are plenty of variables and things to consider.

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Take a warm hat and waterproof gloves (spare gloves are also recommended) even on the dry sunny days. Remember the air is much colder on top and it feels even colder if it is wet and windy.

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