How to Climb Ben Nevis in Scotland: Everything You Need to Hike the U.K.'s Highest Peak
Looking to hike Ben Nevis during your visit to Scotland? This essential guide includes what you need to pack, how you need to prepare, and everything you need to know before making the trek up Great Britain’s highest peak.
Hiking Ben Nevis was a core memory from our time in Scotland. There I was, standing on top of the highest peak in the United Kingdom— Scotland’s Ben Nevis. Loose gravel crunched beneath my hiking boots. After 3 hours and 41 minutes of switchback trails, up stone steps, and slate paths, I rested my body against a large rock and opened a bar of dark chocolate. Luke opened the bottle of beer he brought for us to drink on the summit. It was the first beer we had had in months, and it was well-deserved after hiking on what turned out to be a remarkably warm Scottish summer day.
Ben Nevis might not be the steepest or most gruesome hike, but it’s definitely one you should prepare for, both physically and logistically. Knowing where to park, how to check the weather, and what to pack will make your hike less anxiety-inducing. Whether you are relatively new to hiking or an avid outdoors person, you have to add Ben Nevis (Bheinn Nibheis) to your Scottish itinerary, and this guide makes planning your hike as easy as possible. I’ve included map resources, safety tips, and practical advice from my personal Ben Nevis experience.
general ben nevis hike logistics ↴
Planning a relatively big hike, especially for the first time can feel intimidating. This in-depth guide covers the four basic tasks you need to do before you hit the Ben Nevis trailhead.
book your base accommodation for at least one night’s stay before your hike
check the weather ahead of time
make sure you have the right gear (there’s an essential packing list for you below)
pick and book your mode of transportation to the trailhead (car is easiest!)
the best time to hike ben nevis ↴
The weather for hiking Ben Nevis is typically best between May and September. Despite this time period being marked as the most likely for clear skies and good hiking conditions, Scotland’s weather is constantly changing, and planning your trek up the mountain in the summer months isn’t a direct guarantee that you won’t encounter snow, thick fog, and slippery terrain. When we hiked Ben Nevis in July, the summit was dotted with snow, and visibility was limited on and off. To ensure your safety, check the weather in the days leading up to your hike and turn back if the weather turns during your journey.
The best weather conditions also bring busier trails. To avoid the crowds as much as possible, start your hike early! We started our hike at dawn and only encountered traffic on the trail while descending.
where to stay before hiking up ben nevis ↴
For any major hike, you’ll want to have at least one night’s stay booked before the hike and a night’s stay after the hike. Trust me, you don’t want to jump in a car after 8 hours of hiking, and you don’t want to have a long day of travel the same day as a hike that massive either. I recommend booking accommodation for the night before your Ben Nevis hike in Fort William.
Fort William is the closest town to the Ben Nevis trailhead, making it the best place to base yourself pre-hike. Staying in Fort William is both the most convenient and accessible option for hikers looking to walk up Ben Nevis. The main trailhead is only approximately a 30-minute drive from Fort William’s town center and can be reached by bus or train, meaning you can climb Ben Nevis even if you are traveling without a car.
As a town, Fort William offers a small number of restaurants, the West Highland Museum, and the Ben Nevis whisky distillery. Don’t miss the Highland Bookshop (pictured above) for some beautiful books that would make gorgeous souvenirs.
accommodation in Fort William:
The Garrison Hotel - a renovated old police station that now offers self-catered suites as well as a quirky “Cell Experience” (pictured above)
The Grange - a luxury stay in Fort William, books months in advance
Lime Tree - a beautiful stay filled with art and featuring an award-winning restaurant
There are a number of Scottish-style Bed and Breakfasts that come highly recommended and look adorable!
We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
where to park before you hike ↴
I recommend parking at the Ben Nevis Visitor Center. This is the most convenient option for hikers. It’s only £6 for the entire day and there are roughly 80 car spaces available. Bring cash in exact change (they don’t dispense change), as only one of the pay points takes card payments. I wouldn’t rely on the card pay point, as it has been known to act up and glitch. Coming prepared with exact change is best!
Once you’ve parked and paid, you are less than a minute’s walk from the trailhead. Walk toward the Visitor Center and follow the wooden signs for Ben Nevis. You’ll be led over a bridge and down a path between two fields (that usually feature sheep). Finally, you’ll be on the main path and, from there, it’s all super well-marked and straightforward.
what to know before you hike ben nevis ↴
no toilets
There are no public toilets along the trail, and there aren’t many bushes to “duck into” either. You can access the free toilets at the Visitor Center, which is at the start and end point of the hike.
no water stations
Sometimes, where there are toilets there are also water fountains. Since there are no toilets on the trail, it goes almost without saying that there is nowhere to fill up your water along the way. The one exception to this is that the water running off the mountain is deemed potable and could fill your canteen if you didn’t pack enough to keep you hydrated. Avoid doing this if possible by planning ahead and bringing more water than you expect to drink.
weather changes
Scottish weather is known for changing swiftly. What started as a clear hike may drastically shift and become dangerous hiking conditions. If the weather gets really bad, and you can’t see the trail ahead, turn around. There is no point in struggling to the summit only to risk being unable to make it back down safely. When in doubt, scrap the hike and save it for another day.
pack out your litter
The top of Ben Nevis is, unfortunately, littered with rubbish from irresponsible hikers who have made it to the summit. Don’t be that person. Instead, please pack out all your snack wrappers, water bottles (better yet, bring a reusable one), and any other trash you might have. Keeping the outdoors beautiful so that future generations can enjoy these spaces is the kind, caring, and responsible thing to do.
essential packing for ben nevis ↴
Packing correctly for any hike drastically changes the entire experience. Ben Nevis is no exception. Being underprepared for an 8+ hour hike could mean you spend an entire day hungry, thirsty, or uncomfortable. Use the below as a checklist to guarantee you are ready to reach the summit (and make it back down).
layers - the summit is colder than the trailhead all year round, so you’ll need to dress accordingly
sun protection - we were told we wouldn’t be able to hike the trail, as the weather forecast was terrible for days leading up to it, but on the morning of the hike it could not have been clearer or warmer and both of us wished we had brought SPF. Luckily, we both had sunglasses and baseball caps in our daypacks
water - bring more than you think you’ll drink, since you gain elevation and your body will need extra hydration
snacks - there is nothing along the trail and you’re going to work up quite an appetite on this 8-hour journey, so pack lots of snacks to fuel your climb
worn-in hiking boots - it’s possible to hike Ben Nevis in trainers, but I don’t recommend it, especially in less than ideal weather conditions, opt for hiking boots that fit well and that you’ve worn-in to avoid blisters and discomfort
gloves + a hat - it gets chilly at the summit, so bringing gloves and a hat will make hanging out at the top much more enjoyable
hiking poles - I have only ever used hiking poles once in my life (on the Inca Trail), and didn’t use them on Ben Nevis myself, however, after my knees took an absolute pounding on the descent, I was desperately wishing I’d had some on hand
waterproof jacket - don’t go on any hike in Scotland without a rain jacket
maps + safety ↴
While it’s always a good idea to carry a paper map with your intended route outlined, it’s more likely that you'll want to have a map downloaded offline and kept available on your phone. It is absolutely vital that you make sure your maps are downloaded since cell service is not guaranteed. I highly recommend the free Maps.Me app to download your hiking route! AllTrails is another trail-mapping option, but it requires a paid membership in order to download your route.
No matter the weather conditions or your level of preparedness, you should always let someone know that you’re hiking Ben Nevis. This way, if something bad were to happen, people know to look for you. It sounds silly and dramatic, but this is a simple way to keep yourself safe on the off chance the worst happens.
One last matter of safety is in regard to physical fitness. If you aren’t regularly active, you’ll need to seriously assess your fitness level. It would be unsafe to attempt hiking Ben Nevis as someone who doesn’t at minimum walk regularly. The hike itself isn’t an aggressive challenge, but it is long and there are no services along the trails. Hike only if you believe you can truly manage 8+ hours walking on rocky terrain.
