I’ve summited Ben Nevis three times now and each time the weather has been better than the time before. The first time was during the National Three Peaks challenge, so we walked in the evening, finishing around 10pm. Visibility wasn’t great at the summit, but we weren’t walking for the views anyway. Thankfully the other two times have been on lovely sunny days when the mountain was extremely busy and the ascent pretty arduous in 18 degree heat. I’m not sharing this to show off, but just to say that summiting a mountain like Ben Nevis is considerably easier in good weather but if you’re not so lucky, things can go wrong very quickly. Always be prepared for bad weather and be willing to turn back if you need to.
For most fair-weather weekend walkers, the mountain path up Ben Nevis is a straightforward walk. The path is obvious and often busy, so you’re unlikely to need a map or app to navigate. That being said, it’s always safer to have one or both of these to hand in case of poor visibility or bad weather. You can use ‘Ben Nevis Mountain Track’ on AllTrails and I’d recommend downloading for offline use to be safe.
If you park next to the visitor centre (PH33 6ST), you’ll have access to toilets but I’d suggest stocking up on food, water and snacks in Fort William. For a walk of this distance and elevation, make sure you’re fully prepared with spare layers and supportive footwear. The summit is often snow-covered but you might also need sun protection!
Check out my walk on Relive to see the elevation »
As far as climbing mountains goes, this is a pretty accessible walk for all, but remember to drink plenty of water, rest when you need to and stay safe!
Happy walking!
Kate x