How long does it take to climb Ben Nevis? I’ve never been naturally inclined towards exercise, and my love of hillwalking and long distance trails was yet to blossom. 2. On the best VS thread I tried to get some opinions on The Long Climb on Ben Nevis, I haven't done the route but have always had it on the list of things to do one summer on The Ben. The ultimate guide to climbing Ben Nevis. The mountain path ascent will generally take between 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, with a further 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours descent. 6 to 8 hours is a fair estimate. Ben Nevis by the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. Don't be fooled!, Ben Nevis is a hard climb for an average person just out for the climb. Ben Nevis. 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. It is a 45 degree climb all the way, over rocky ground. That’s not an easy 3-4 hours though. As a rough guide we state the average person climbing via the mountain track, can do the climb in roughly 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, during the summer months. BritRail Passes for Overseas Visitors If you’re planning on travelling around England and Scotland then the best option is to buy the BritRail GB Pass. A climb to the summit of Ben Nevis should not be undertaken lightly. New Topic Reply to Topic. It will take six to eight hours for the round trip depending on your level of fitness. In my opinion Ben Nevis is more than twice as hard to climb than Snowdon. It provides you with some beautiful views up Glen Nevis. The trail of the route is sign posted as you start the hike . Ben Nevis although a well trodden trail still incurs several deaths a year. It’s smaller than Ben Nevis and Swindon at 978m, but the almost non-stop elevation of the climb means that it’s every bit as tough. That day, he managed to get half the money I needed for Ben Nevis. 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 first account of the mountain’s structure came from John Williams in 1774. We both enjoy walking when on holiday though and both have decent walking boots, rucksacks and waterproofs etc. It stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area. The climb generally takes anywhere between 7 and 9 hours. That’s not an easy 3-4 hours though. See the map of Ben Nevis in full screen. It’s the highest peak in the UK and the walk from base to summit and back is 10.5 miles, which will be well over 20,000 steps. He calculated that it would take 1 hour for every 3 miles PLUS 1 hour for every 2,000 feet of ascent. Enough time for a gentle pace if needed, to take in the views of the mountain and really get a sense of Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis Races Since 1895 there have been races up to the top of Ben Nevis - in the first recorded run the best time was 2 hours and 41 minutes. The first person to climb to the top of Ben Nevis is reported to be a botanist from Edinburgh in 1771. If you or one of your party is slower than average then it can take a lot longer. The most common route up the mountain was originally designed as a bridle path giving access to the old observatory at the summit. Ben Nevis Walking Tips: A Beginners Guide to The UK’s Highest Peak. When we run group walking and private guide services, we often leave enough time for a 8-10 hour excursion. There are plenty of other routes available that are even more challenging, and something experienced hikers will be guaranteed to enjoy. Naismith's can be broken down further into times for speed and distance... and also time that should be added for metres of ascent... During reasonable summer weather, using Naismith's we can calculate the time to be added just on the ascent part of the rule: 135 mins. A lot of people only make it half way. Staying Safe When Climbing and Walking up Ben Nevis Mountain. 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 … The mountain path ascent will generally take between 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, with a further 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours descent. Popularly known as The Pony Track, this route is 10.5 miles long, 17km, up and down, and includes 1352 metres of ascent. During this program, you will usually stay at the CIC hut (680 m), which is the highest mountain hut in the United Kingdom. Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. You will pass steep scree fields falling to Five Finger Gully where you can catch some spectacular views of the Glen in good weather. Can anyone climb Ben Nevis? Climbing Ben Nevis is incredibly popular it’s estimated that around 150,000 people climb Ben Nevis each year but this in no way means it is an easy walk. To climb Ben Nevis, you need to travel to Fort William, which is a 3.5-hour drive away from Edinburgh (Scotland) and around 2.5 hours from Glasgow (Scotland). This trail is another long one, at around 8 hours to complete. 1. Ben Nevis is the UK’s largest mountain. The first account of the mountain’s structure came from John Williams in 1774. How long to climb Ben Nevis? In winter conditions and especially with snow on the ground, climbing to the summit of Ben Nevis via the Mountain Track can take up to 8 hours (or more) with a descent time of around half that so particular care must be taken to plan around sunrise and sunset times. While it is definitely possible for an amateur to reach the summit, the main thing to keep in mind is that Ben Nevis is not to be underestimated. Climbing the highest mountain in the UK was never going to be easy! Ben Nevis, a mountain that requires little introduction, is the highest mountain in Scotland and the British Isles at 1,334m above sea level. I am a 44 year old female, not majorly fit but I am aiming to climb Ben Nevis in August - any idea how long it will take me and whether I should even be attempting it if I am not mega fit. I can't find any info on the time it takes people to walk up and down Ben Nevis. 8,500 m so if you can sustain a pace of 5 kph for the duration of the walk and don't take any breaks the distance travelled part of the rule gives 102 mins. Skip to content. A 5-day program will take you on different climbs close to the star peak, Ben Nevis. Shame that couldn't manage to … 2½ - 3½ hours. How long will it take me to climb Ben Nevis? Ben Nevis by the Mountain Path. This is dependent on your fitness levels. Yup, I’d be ascending the tallest mountain in … To find this car park, you would need to follow the Forestry Commission signs, that will lead you up a forest road until you reach the car park. The Novice Walker should not attempt to walk up Ben Nevis between November and May, or during bad or cloudy weather. It’s a tough, relentless climb and there’s much more scree up there than the others, but it’s still great preparation for climbing Ben Nevis. The Mountain Track up Ben Nevis. In metric terms that would be 1 hour for every 5 km and 1 hour for every 600m of ascent. To make sure that you don’t feel the way I did in the morning and to help you prepare for your hike. While it does not reach the summit of Ben Nevis, it can be completed in four hours, while still providing some great views and a decent hike. But it isn't a race (except when it is) so you should take the time to lift your head to look around you during your walk to enjoy some of that unique and spectaular scenery. 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