Ben Nevis Guides
(Beinn Nibheis) The Uk's Highest Mountain
Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK sitting at 1345m tall. It is famed internationally for reasons extending far beyond this, 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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via the Pony Track
The Pony Track refers to the easiest and most popular route to the summit. Commonly also referred to as the "tourist track" or "mountain path". 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.
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Summer (May to September): Client Ratio 1:8
Suitable to all with decent fitness and children over the age of 10
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Winter (October to May): Client Ratio 1:6
​​In winter the difficulties escalate with poor visibility making navigation difficult, extreme weather, avalanche hazard and potential for hard snow conditions making the need for proper winter equipment (ice axe and crampons) and the correct knowledge of how to use them absolutely essential for safe travel. Our guides are here to help with this and provide the instruction and guidance required to ensure you have the skills and equipment required to optimise your chances of success and enjoyment!
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​The Day:
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6-10 hours, 17km, 1300m vertical ascent, graded: moderate+
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For new winter walkers we suggest a day of winter skills training
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0830 meet at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre (paid parking)
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Price:
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Starting from £250​
Via the Carn Mor Dearg Arête (CMD)
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Carn Mor Dearg Arête (aka. CMD Arête)
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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 and requires confident footing and in winter a good foundation of winter skills.
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 (June to September): client ratio 1:4
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.
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Winter (October to May): client ratio 1:2
The CMD is a slightly more complex day in winter, requiring solid winter skills and fitness to complete the route safely. Therefore all members of the party should be very familiar and confident with the use of an ice axe and crampons. It is likely I will ask any potential participants to book a winter skills day with us prior to a guided attempt on the CMD. You should be confident walking on areas of steep snow (no more than about 50 degrees) with big runouts.
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The Day:
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8-10+ hours, ​17.5km, 1500m vertical ascent, grade 1 scramble/ winter climb. For less confident winter walkers we suggest a day of winter skills training
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0830 meet at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre (paid parking)
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Price:
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Starting from £250​
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Via Tower Ridge, North East Buttress, Castle Ridge, Ledge Route or a rock climb!
Are you looking for a more adventurous route to the top?
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Do you have a decent amount of hill walking or climbing experience and are looking to challenge yourself. Perhaps one of the following might be for you!
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Mountain Routes:
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North East Buttress, 600m, Diff
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Observatory Ridge
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Tower Ridge, 500m, Diff
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Castle Ridge, 350m, Mod
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Rock Climbs:
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Centurion HVS 5a
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Minus One Direct E1 5B
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Price:
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From £250
Please get in touch or see our rock climbing and mountaineering pages for further details! (Please note we currently only offer summer rock climbing and mountaineering.)