Summer HillWalking in Scotland

Walking Ben NEvis

Lochaber in the West Highlands is home to some of the biggest mountains in the UK. Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK sitting at 1345m tall. It is famed internationally for reasons extending far beyond this, Ben Nevis arguably being the ancestral home of modern meteorology with the twenty non stop years of recorded weather data at its summit. Its ideal habitat for rare Arctic and Alpine plants being a draw to botanists and its interesting bird life. The home of the sandwich stealing, bag raiding ravens, the elegant dancing snow bunting and the croaking Ptarmagin. When contrasted with the outrageous views, it makes for a day to remember!

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• Ben Nevis Mountain Path (aka. Pony Track/ Tourist Path) 

6-10 hours, 17km, 1300m vertical ascent, graded: moderate.  ​

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Ben Nevis Mountain Path refers to the easiest and most popular route to the summit. Commonly also referred to as the "tourist track" or "pony track".  So called because it was originally built as a means of resupplying a weather observatory and hotel in the late 1800's and has 140 years later drastically changed with an approximate 130,000 people venturing onto the mountain each year. The majority of which by this very route! The climb takes an approximate 6-10 hours dependant on your fitness. The terrain is steep and rocky and a return trip car to car is 17km with 1300m of vertical ascent.
 

Summer:

The summer season typically runs mid May to the end of September. In summer we work on a ratio of 1:8. 

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Summertime difficulties on Ben Nevis's Mountain Path are arguably limited; it is true the ascent is awkward, long and steep making it very challenging for many, but for the most part the route finding is simple, even more so in summer following the crowds (not that you should do this...). Leading many people to question the requirement of a guide. What our guides bring is not only an additional layer of safety, but a friendly, knowledgable local to seamlessly carry you (unfortunately not literally!) through the day.

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What you will receive:

• A qualified and insured Summer Mountain Leader (minimum)

• Transport for 2 people

What’s not included?

• Lunch

• Clothing, Waterproofs and Footwear

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OR

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• Carn Mor Dearg Arête (aka. CMD Arête) 

8-10+ hours, ​17.5km, 1500m vertical ascent, grade 1 scramble/ winter climb, graded: hard. 

The Carn Mor Dearg arête, often referred to as the “CMD” is possibly one of Ben Nevis’s finest mountain journeys (arguably Scotland’s!). In good clear conditions offering expansive views of the North Face of Ben Nevis and an airy view of the Glen’s below, sometimes extending out to Skye and beyond! The CMD arête is classed as a grade 1 scramble and winter climb. 

The route is 17.5km and takes in over 1500m of vertical ascent.

This route is a fair whack harder than the “Mountain Path” and therefore shouldn’t be confused; for the right party however, this is a wonderful adventurous outing!

Summer:

A small amount of scrambling experience would be advantageous, although not essential. The route is an attainable proposition for a fit party with a confident head for heights. 

What you will receive:

• A qualified and insured Summer Mountain Leader (minimum)

• Transport to the venue (pre-arranged)

What’s not included?

• Lunch

• Clothing, Waterproofs and Footwear

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