Is there a safe route up Ben Nevis?

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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For novices, we'd recommend the 'Mountain Path' (also known as the 'Pony Track' or 'Ben Path'). It's the simplest way to the top, and also the most popular. You'll usually start at Achintree on the east side (if you've parked at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre or youth hostel, you'll start at west side).

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You need to be reasonably fit before you consider making the ascent, and we wouldn't recommend a Ben Nevis walk for beginners. However, there is a path up Ben Nevis, and you won't need to do any scrambling.

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The Gondola transports visitors from 100m to 650m up the mountain and takes approximately 15 minutes each way. The Doppelmayr Gondola system comprises of 80 six seat closed cabins running on a continuous 4.6km steel cable weighing 40 tonnes.

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Be safe on Ben Nevis ! During the winter the mountain is cloaked in snow and ice and in these conditions only mountaineers equipped with ice axes and crampons should attempt the ascent. Winter conditions can occur from October to May.

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The ordinary route up Ben Nevis, the 'Mountain Path' (also known as the 'Pony Track' and, misleadingly, the 'Tourist Path') is a technically easy path as these things go. Someone with a reasonable level of walking fitness should be able to ascend in 4-5 hours and descend in a further 2-3 hours.

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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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The classic ridges of Ben Nevis are Castle ridge, Tower ridge, North East Buttress and Observatory Ridge. Although all of these routes are classed as rock climbing, there is a large proportion of the ground which is considered scrambling and only a very short section of climbing.

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A Car Was Once Driven Up It When we think of scaling Ben Nevis, it usually involves trekking up the Pony Route. However, in 1911, the Ford Motor Company dared to drive their flagship Model T up the mountain as a publicity stunt.

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You will have incredible views of the north face of Ben Nevis the whole way. Although it is only a Grade 1 scramble, the ridgeline is very exposed. Skip to about 3:35 in the video to get a feel for it! You should be comfortable walking on loose boulders with a drop either side.

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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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For our Ben Nevis walks, you won't need specialist hiking gear, but you will need sturdy walking boots, suitable clothing for cold temperatures and waterproof layers. You'll also want to bring supplies, such as drinks, snacks and lunch to keep your energy levels up.

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The system spans 2.3km of the hillside from the base station at 100m to the top station at 650m. Does the Gondola take me up Ben Nevis? You'll see Ben Nevis from our Mountain – the Gondola is located on Aonach Mor, Scotland's eighth highest mountain.

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Can a 60 year old climb Ben Nevis? Take your time and he'll do ok. Go up the tourist path with him. There's room for two abreast on the lower section where someone could stay on his outside.

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