A main path runs up Ben Nevis, from Glen Nevis, which can be followed from either Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, or the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre. © 2021 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Whatever you call it, this is the easiest route up Ben Nevis – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. This trail is another long one, at around 8 hours to complete. I’m not the fittest of blokes but got up alright. This trail is not quick, and it clocks in at about 8 hours to complete. Heading up into the clouds on the Ben Nevis walk. What Is The Best Hiking Shirt For The UK Countryside This Summer? 250 years after its first ascent, climbers are still finding new routes up the famous Scottish peak. Later we heard Murdo and Blair had the same treatment up by Number Three Gully Buttress. Logged Current Munro tally: 78 out of 282 completed so far. It is often nicknamed the CMD to shorten the long name, but it is considered one of the best trails in the mountains of the United Kingdom. This larger scale can really get you sore after you have already hiked up 1200 metres! Just like the other routes, this trail should be looked at carefully, and you should know what you are doing before you get into it. Nevermore, a route graded VIII, 8, is toward the upper end of difficulty when it comes to winter routes in Scotland. Ben Nevis Ascent-7-9 hours We aim to start between 0800 and 0900hrs on the Ben Nevis Mountain Track. Ben Nevis Walking Routes – Six Routes Up, But Which One is Best? “I led pitch-one, which had a good full body thrutch to get past the jammed boulder, then a nice tin-opener flake above, which I would have enjoyed more if I hadn't used up all the right size hexes already,” MacLeod wrote. Ben Nevis Route. Not many people shoes this route, simply due to the craziness of the terrain. This grade is on a scale of I-IX, with VIII being among the most difficult winter routes. “We knew about this big corner line from scoping out summer routes and it hadn't been done summer or winter,” MacLeod wrote on Instagram. This trail has a height gain of 1500 metres, and a total distance of a whopping 18 km! In February, Dave MacLeod and Tim Emmett climbed the hardest winter route on Ben Nevis when they continued up steep mixed ground above the exit to the Italian Route (grade III) to give a VIII/9 (M7+). The hardest of the routes up is Sharp Edge, an exhilarating scramble on an exposed ridge. I walked up Ben Nevis on a glorious day in late May. This would be the hardest hike we’d done since hiking up Ben Nevis in the summer of 2014. Despite being the smallest of the three Scafell is reknown for having the hardest terrain under foot. This trail is 17 km up and down, and is 1352 metres of height! I've only walked up Ben Nevis once but walked up Scafell Pike and Snowdon frequently, each by several routes. Hiking, Trekking and Camping Across The UK Countryside. This route has you ascend from the South of Ben Nevis, and get a height gained of 1200 metres. (These markers may be obscured by snow in the early spring months, so be aware.) It managed to unzip both lid pocket zips and eat my pieces then throw the rest of the contents over the surrounding area. It has a summit of 1,345 metres (4,413 ft) above sea level. From Scottish Gaelic to modern English, “Ben Nevis” translates to “Venomous Mountain.” It is the highest and among the sheerest peaks in the British Isles, and has long beckoned Scottish mountaineers since its first ascent in 1771. The mountain track up Ben Nevis is a well maintained track but by no means a walk in the park, in terms of the actual track terrain I'd put it as being a littler harder than Snowdon and it's about an 11 mile round trip. Luckily my car keys were clipped onto a tab. No routes up Ben Nevis tick that box, so they decided the route needed some rebranding. The route starts from the CIC Hut and so can be started proper from either Glen Nevis or the North Face Car Park. “We found out that Iain had climbed Metamorphosis via the Cranium start in 2009 with Gareth Hughes. Get there early as not loads of parking . It's atmospheric, long, serious and tops out near the summit of Ben Nevis. The Ben as it’s affectionately known is climbed by 150,000 people every year with another 100,000 people turning back due to bad weather or finding the ascent too challenging. The hardest Scottish Route is currently Scottish XI 11, put up by Dave Mcleod, although this was not on Ben Nevis. The route is also variously known as the Mountain Track or Pony Track – probably because it goes up a mountain and the path is well enough made that you could take a pony up it . This trail starts at sea level, and climbs all the way to the top, so you are looking at a 1300 metres (or 9 km) hike. OOOSH YEAH Winger . So, let’s break down the six paths, and dissect their attributes so you can pick the one best for you! Personally I found Ben Nevis (from Glen Nevis via the 'tourist path') by far the most tiring - approx 4,300 feet ascent in ten miles walking. It is a mixed route that works up a steep corner over several bulges and a large overhang. You can find the beginning at the Glen Nevis Visitors Centre. Ben Nevis via the Ledge Route. going up Ben Nevis was fine. It is the most straightforward and direct route up the mountain, from Achintee in Glen Nevis to the summit cairn. The main path runs up Ben Nevis and originates from Glen Nevis. There can be patches of snow well into the summer months, although they can usually be seen from the bottom of the mountain, so you can arrange accordingly. Ben Nevis (or any mountain environment) is a fragile ecosystem that has taken millenia to evolve. We start from the Ben Nevis Inn at Achintee. How Tight Should a Wetsuit Be To Stop You Getting Cold While Diving? Start from Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. "One of that genus did over our sacs as we looked down from the route. Typically, you can start the CMD trail from the North Face Car Park by Torlundy. taking trails meant for experts as a beginner, UK Walks: Mountain and Hill Types You Need To Know About, UK Walks: The Carneddau Plateau, Snowdonia, How Are Walks Graded (Difficulty) From Easy To Serve, UK Walks: The Eildon Hills (Eildon Hill North, Eildon Mid Hill and Eildon Wester Hill), UK Walks: Yes Tor & High Willhays – Dartmoor, Devon, UK Walks: DartMoor Bogs (Laughter Tor, Bellever Tor), UK Walks: Scafell Pike North-Face – Lake District, Gear Review: Gossamer Kumo 36 Superlight Backpack Review, GPS, Maps and A Compass: This is How to Navigate in the Countryside, Expert Advice: How to Eat Correctly While Camping In The Countryside, Expert Advice: How To Choose Hiking Shoes, What Are The Best Climbing Shoes For Beginners To Learn How To Climb, Five Benefits of Pull-Ups To Help You Carry Your Backpack, 10 Health Benefits of Horse Riding To Keep You In Shape This Summer, Best Bivvy Sack For 2020: This is What I Take It In My Daysack. That’s not to say it’s a walk in the park, as it’s still a fairly rock path in places, but there’s no exposure along the … Pinkpointing a trad route: pinkpoiting a route means ascending it on pre-placed gear. For this program, you will need to travel to Fort William, which is around a 3.5 hours drive from Edinburgh (Scotland) and around 2.5 hours from Glasgow(Scotland). Just went the mountain route. (You’ll feel it in your calves tomorrow!) From this half way point, the path follows a zigzag pattern to the rocky summit plateau. Ben Nevis stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the region of Lochaber, close to the town of Fort William. We will pick you up from your accommodation in the Fort William area and drive to the start of the route. Helvellyn and Catstye Cam via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. In its 250 year climbing history, Ben Nevis has become one of the most popular alpine destinations in the UK, but even today climbers are still finding first ascents on the mountain. From Sty Head, continue to Corridor Route to Lnigmell Col, and on to the peak of Scafell Pike. The walk is just over 4 miles each way - a total of 8 1/2 miles in all. It typically takes more than 8 hours to complete, making it a longer and perhaps tedious trail to hike. This is yet another scramble, this time climbing Ben Nevis via the Ledge Route on the North Face and up to Carn Dearg (1221) and along to the summit. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain. There was still snow on the top, but the sky was clear and blue. Learn how your comment data is processed. Stefan Morris climbing Point Five Gully. We were lucky, most who get to the top of Ben Nevis don’t get a chance to see much as most of the year it is mist covered. Tim and Jamie thought the route was unclimbed in winter when they set off from the valley early on December 7. The total height of this climb goes up 1300 metres, and has a collective distance traveled of 8 km. If you remember Dave also climbed the hardest summer route on the Ben last August with his Anubis E8 6c on Comb Buttress. At the halfway point the path begins to zig and zag, making it slightly more difficult than it had been, but then straightens out for the last stretch. He succeeded on February 20, when this photo was taken. mananddog. Early on the two paths join, and then continue to a Loch - Lochan Meall an t-Siudhe. 1 E11; 2 E10; 3 E9; 4 E8; 5 E7; 6 Up in the air; E11. For those unfamiliar, a quick lesson in Scottish winter climbing grades: The Roman Numeral signifies the overall difficulty of the route, factoring in commitment. The path continues to Lochan Meall an t-Siudhe. If you’re going to hike up Ben Nevis, which path should you take? Be warned, this trail is extremely difficult and is for pros. Those of you who want a unique or alternative hike, check out the Steall Falls trail! It has been estimated that a single banana peel will take over two years to appreciably break down and up to five years to disintegrate entirely. This trail, although similar to the CMD, is a slightly different route than the CMD. This climb was done in a completely trad style as is the norm with scottish winter climbing. Rhapsody 35m E11 7a ** Dumbarton Rock Dave MacLeod (2006) E10. 3 Snowdon South Ridge. All 190 Welsh Nuttalls completed. Hence we decided, despite both being in the worst shape of our lives, to tackle a 10 mile Helvellyn route. You can begin this trail at the CIC Hut and can be started properly from the car park on the North Face or Glen Nevis. Dave MacLeod first climbed the route—the Ben's hardest at E8 6c (5.13c)—in August 2005, then made three winter attempts over the past year. From ScottishClimbs. We even got to finish in the light, which doesn't happen so often on a new Nevis route in December.”. Jump to : navigation, search. Last week, Scottish climbers Dave MacLeod and Ian Small established Nevermore, a three-pitch direct line up the Number Five Gulley Buttress. “Just by chance we met Iain Small and Dave MacLeod when walking up Ben Nevis on Monday, ” Tim explained. In its 250 year climbing history, Ben Nevis has become one of the most popular alpine destinations in the UK, but even today climbers are still finding first ascents on the mountain. You can walk up the CMD from Glen Nevis, but it does involve a river crossing. It is not an easy route. On July 28th 2008 he led Echo Wall, an extreme rock route as yet ungraded and unrepeated, but believed to have been one of the hardest traditional rock climbs in the world at the time. There is an East Ridge that starts by the Steall Falls Car Park at the finishing point of Glen Nevis, which takes you further on Glen Nevis. For this trail, you will need to be highly aware of your surroundings and where you are, because if mist sets in, you can end up taking a wrong turn very easily and ending up in a different location. Towards the summit, large cairns mark that you are reaching the end! Photo: Andrew Cherry. Make sure you know where you are headed, and be careful! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The total height of this hike is 1370 metres, with a distance total of 17 km. a list of the hardest Trad climbs in Scotland Contents. For me, Scafell Pike (from Wasdale NT carpark at Brackenclose) is less tiring than Ben Nevis - approx 3,000 feet in six miles walking. Gear: Garmin eTrex 32x Handheld GPS Navigator Review, Gear: Osprey Kestrel 46/48 Rucksack Review, Expert Advice: Navigation in the Countryside, How Are Walks Graded (Difficulty) From Easy To Servere. "We named the route Nevermore (VIII,8) from the Edgar Allen Poe poem—The Raven," Small told ScottishWinter.com. The main path runs up Ben Nevis and originates from Glen Nevis. The most famous ice gully in Scotland, and perhaps in the world! It had been a difficult and slippery task going up and it was quickly dawning on us all that if you add downward momentum to ice, snow and rocks it adds a different dimension to the next 3 hours or so! Even though the distance is only 4.4 km, the terrain is brutal and very difficult to cross. The Novice Walker should not attempt to walk up Ben Nevis between November and May, or during bad or cloudy weather. going up Ben Nevis was fine. Jun 6, 2017 - Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain. It is an alternative approach to the CMD trail. Anubis, The Comb, Ben Nevis, Scotland. You can find the beginning at the Glen Nevis Visitors Centre. Ben Nevis in Scotland. It starts and finishes at the Glen Nevis Vistors Centre. The Number Five Gulley Buttress can be seen on the right side of the photo. Both routes can be seen below, with Seathwaite in the North, and Wasdale Head in … Are you wondering whether anyone can climb Ben Nevis? Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. Again, do not be fooled by the label of “easiest climb.” It might be the easiest, but it is still very difficult. Route Description. 3rd – 6th Hardest Routes up Snowdon. The last thing nobody told us about climbing Ben Nevis was… that it's even harder coming down!!! Extreme Eleven Echo Wall 100m E? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Which trail you choose relies heavily on the experience you have a trail trekker. Ben Nevis by the Mountain Path. It is a total distance of 4.4 km and is quick at four hours, however, it is one way only. We’re getting into murkier water here – with the next four paths needing a bit of thought. This allows for a steady ascent, up a well maintained path. It only takes about 4 or 5 hours to complete, but that should not convince you that it is an easy trail. The mountain is located at the western wide of the Grampian Mountain range in Scottish Highlands. At the halfway point the path begins to zig and zag, making it slightly more difficult than it had been, but then straightens out for the last stretch. The second grade, the Arabic number, refers to the technical difficulty of the hardest section of the route, on a scale from 4-9. It took us 8 hours to get to the top and back again. Given it’s statue, every year more the 150,000 people try to climb it, with the majority taking the Pony Track from Glen Nevis, however there are five other routes that range in difficulties from easy, to very difficult. We’re certain that the South Ridge is tougher than the Rhyd Ddu path and that the PYG is tougher going than the Miner’s Track underfoot. You’re comparing it to scrambles and climbs. Be sure to be prepared. These are our 4 best routes up Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK. The route practically defines the Scottish V grade and is on every winter climber's ticklist. Cap the day by descending Hall’s Fell for a short but satisfying circular scramble. The path continues to Lochan Meall an t-Siudhe. Scottish mixed and ice grades are roughly a full number above the WI grading system, meaning an 8 in Scotland roughly translates to WI7. Height Gained – 1300 metres, Distance – 8 km, Time –4-5 hours – ONE WAY ONLY. So next time I will be forewarned, although I’m not sure what the solution will be to deter such wily corvids!”. ?? It is surprising that Nevermore is only now seeing an ascent—in winter or summer—as it lies on one of the more well-trafficked parts of the mountain, with adjacent routes on either side. Anubis may be the hardest winter line ever climbed in Britain. Be warned, this trail in poor weather does not make for a fun time. This is why you will find some sport routes in the list of hardest trad routes. The first part of the ascent is fairly steady, providing a good natural warm up for the legs. The route described here is the standard way up the mountain; it is straightforward, if strenuous, by hillwalking standards, but the less experienced should be … when draws are already put up) the difference for a trad route is even more significant as you do not have to carry and place the gear. While this also applies to sport routes (e.g. “Iain's pitch was superb with burly yarding in the overhanging section of the corner and then another couple of hard bulges above. Dec 17, 2020 #13 Steeeeeeed said: We stayed in Onich. Height Gained – 930 metres , Distance – 13 km, Time – 6 hours. The route described here is the standard way up the mountain; it is straightforward, if strenuous, by hillwalking standards, but the less experienced should be sure to read all the precautions. Ben Nevis (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Nibheis, pronounced [peˈɲivəʃ]; English: / b ɛ n ˈ n ɛ v ɪ s /) is the highest mountain in the British Isles, situated in Inverness-shire in the Highlands of Scotland.The summit is 1,345 metres (4,413 ft) above sea level. There is a long section of grade one scrambling and is a challenging trek.Hikers have consistently said that the views were stunning from this climb, and rave about the reward of the summit. The pony track is also called the tourist track because it is the simplest of the trails, and most beginners find it perfect for them. Echo Wall, Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis Dave MacLeod (2008) E11: Dave on Rhapsody. The straightforward route is from Carn Dearg, but from the South side, and is very steep. Last week, Scottish climbers Dave MacLeod and Ian Small established Nevermore, a three-pitch direct line up the Number Five Gulley Buttress. The route was first climbed in 1983 by Todd Bibler and Doug Klewin and snakes up a line of ice. This route is for experienced trekkers, and should not be played with! The most popular route up Ben Nevis is, unsurprisingly, known as the Tourist Track. It is a grade 1 scramble, and fairly straightforward, so it does not involve a crazy amount of prep. Climbers have come to the North Face of Ben Nevis to test their mettle for over a century, but some of the hardest routes have been put up by Scottish climber Dave MacLeod. You should not be taking trails meant for experts as a beginner, no matter how good you think you are. The Mountain Track is referred to by some as the easiest trail up Ben Nevis, although it is in no way a stroll through a sunny park with a fine lady and small fluffy dog. Once you hit the summit, you can descend the mountain from the Southern blunt ridge down to Bealach Cumhann. Here I share my solo hiking adventure up and down Ben Nevis.Including how long it takes to climb Ben Nevis, what to wear for the hike, what training you need to do for Ben Nevis, which route I took to the summit and some top tips for completing the Ben Nevis walk. About a 10 / 15 mins drive from fort William. This trail track around the North Face and up to Carn Dearg and then continues to the summit. Most hiking ascents of Ben Nevis start from either the Achintee Inn or theVisitor’s Centre, both in Glen Nevis. Evidently, the line lacked a suitor with the vision or the gumption to try it until MacLeod and Small came along. The hardest part will probably be getting up onto Carn Mor Dearg itself, not because it's in any way difficult but down to the fact it's just one long unrelentling slog to get up it! Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in both Scotland and the British Isles. Found somewhere on Airbnb which was cheap as there was 5 of us sharing. Instead of starting at the usual CMD North Face Car Park, this trail begins at Glen Nevis, and provides a 19.6 km total distance, and a height gain of 1739 metres! Cross the road and then a wooden bridge over the River Nevis. Ben Nevis V, 5. The Seathwaite route is 9.5 miles long, up and down, and includes 996 metres of ascent. The normal time taken to climb to the top by the tourist path is three and a half to five hours - coming down is much faster, between one and a half to two and a half hours. The duo graded the route VIII, 8. There is a huge ridge with a fairly sheer scale, that does not make you as exposed as other trails. This scramble-hike is quicker than the mountain trail, but only allows travel one way. Hardest Scottish Trad Routes. Both Scotland and the British Isles Small told ScottishWinter.com near the summit a large overhang over 4 each... That does not make for a steady ascent, up and down, and it clocks in at 8! 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