Why do people climb Ben Nevis?

Every year over 100,000 people reach the summit, which stands at 1,345m (4,413ft) tall. Climbing Ben Nevis provides incredible views across the surrounding countryside as you tower high above the lochs and Munro's (mountains in Scotland with a height of over 3,000 feet).



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Climbing Ben Nevis is the equivalent of climbing about 6,725 steps or nearly 700 flights of stairs, so you need to be relatively fit and have the appropriate clothing. It is also worth noting that some people believe coming down is just as hard as going up. The biggest factor that affects the difficulty is the weather.

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How fit do you have to be to do Ben Nevis? Ben Nevis might not be Everest, but it's no joke. 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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Ben Nevis' peak is over 4,000ft above sea level. It is the tallest mountain across the British Isles, beating the next tallest, Ben Macdui, by around 100ft. It is the tallest peak anywhere for 700km, crossing the North Sea to the west coast of Norway (Melderskin).

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This mountain has its own living breathing environment, which should never be taken for granted. Since 1849 there have been over 100 fatalities that have been recorded. The number of fatalities could be higher than those that are known, as there may be lone climbers that were never reported as lost on the mountain.

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Attempting to climb Ben Nevis without adequate protection, including waterproofs and warm clothing, could result in hypothermia and possibly death.

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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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Toilet issues Please be discreet with your need to go to the toilet. If at all possible try not leaving excreta on the mountain. There are public toilets at the Glen Nevis visitor centre.

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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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We offer Private Ben Nevis Guided Walks via the Ben Nevis Mountain path with prices starting at £33 per person. Or for people traveling on their own, we also offer Ben Nevis Guided Open Group Walks for £100 per person.

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How hard is it to walk Ben Nevis? Most beginner to intermediate hikers would classify Ben Nevis as hard. It's certainly not something to take on without any preparation, but it's completely doable as an amazing challenge!

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Experience this 9.9-mile out-and-back trail near Fort William, Highlands. Generally considered a challenging route. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

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Climbing to the top of Ben Nevis is a fantastic achievement – stamina and determination are a must on this challenging trek, but the stunning views of the highlands will be with you from start to finish and will provide a fantastic backdrop to this popular UK trekking challenge!

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How long does the walk take? 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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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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If you've ever watched an Everest summit documentary you'll have been made aware of 'Altitude Sickness'. Here in the UK altitude sickness isn't really 'a thing' because the UK's highest mountain (Ben Nevis, Scotland) is 1,340 meters high.

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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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