Ben Nevis guided walks, scrambles and climbs

Local, qualified and experienced guides

Expert Local Guide

Whatever you choose, a Ben Nevis guided walk, scramble or rock climb, our qualified guide has an in-depth experience of the Scottish Highlands and has spent decades working in the mountains. Because it is only you in the group the adventure is all about you and your aims.

What Adventure will choose on 'the Ben'?

Classic walk to the summit? Scramble up one of Ben Nevis’ ridges on the North Face? Or climb some of the longest rock routes in the UK? Whatever you choose it will be just you and the people you choose to come with you. Guided walks up Ben Nevis often start from Glen Nevis, while many scrambles and climbs on Ben Nevis start at the North Face car park.

Ben Nevis Guided Walk via the Classic Route
From: £249.00 Select options

Guided Scramble on Ben Nevis
From: £269.00 Select options

Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg Arete
From: £269.00 Select options

Winter Ascent of Ben Nevis – Summit Path
From: £269.00 Select options

"What is the best time of year to climb Ben Nevis?"

May to October will only have a few snow patches, so many people see this as the main season on ‘the Ben’. High winds and storms can come throughout the year and you can get brilliant clear days any time of the year.

"It's not just the UK's tallest mountain, it's one of the hardest"

Most walks, climbs and scrambles on Ben Nevis start only slightly higher than sea level. By the time you have reached the summit you done over 1.3km of vertical height gain. Fortunately, the classic summit path has a steady height gain and is not too steep, despite some rocky steps.

Many other UK mountains like Cairngorm and Snowdon you start much higher up. This means any day on ‘the Ben’ is a big day.

So if you have never scrambled or climbed before and want to take one of the harder routes to the summit, why not book a training day to make sure you are ready for the big day on ‘the Ben’. If you book the training / preparation day at the same time we will even give you a discount on the overall price!

"Do you climb or walk up Ben Nevis?"

You can choose!

Often just called ‘the Ben’, it has two different faces. Its west face is rounded and smooth from the mile thick ice that once covered it, giving the classic walking route to the summit. The classic Ben Nevis track is rocky with snow patches into the summer but definitely a walk.

The North Face of Ben Nevis is a vast gothic structure of mountain ridges that create brilliant scrambles and climbs with deep gullies that hold snow for nearly all the year. The North Face is on an alpine scale and has some of the longest technical climbs and scramble in the UK.

"Do I need a walking axe and crampons to walk up the Ben Nevis Classic route?"

Ben Nevis can have full winter conditions from November to early April. If you are booking a day’s walking, climbing or scrambling on the Ben in this period we will let you know if you are likely to need them.

If you do need a walking axe and crampons we can provide them, but you will need stiffer ‘B2’ boots rather than normal walking boots. We have 4 places to hire them in Fort William and it is definitely best to try them on before the big day.

"What time of year is winter on Ben Nevis?"

April can still have a lot snow on the upper part of Ben Nevis. If you need a walking axe and crampons, we’ll let you know if your normal boots will be suitable

From May through to October you get patches of odd snow but your normal boots will be OK.

November to December is ‘maybe’ winter on ‘the Ben’. We’ll let you know if it looks like you need B2 boots but pack your normal walking boots.

January you will probably need B2 boots.

February and March you are very likely to need B2 boots.