Nevis Range gondola and ski area up Aonach Mor: route map, distance and time
1,220 m · Highland
Aonach Mor is a 1220m Munro north-east of Ben Nevis, home to the Nevis Range ski area and gondola on its northern slopes.
From the top station, paths and tracks climb beside the ski runs to the plateau. You then walk south over gentle ground to the cairn.
Nevis Range gondola and ski area at a glance
| Distance | 6.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,122 m |
| Time up | 3h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Nevis Range gondola base station (Torlundy) |
| Start grid reference | NN 173 774 |
| Summit grid reference | NN 193 729 |
Nevis Range gondola and ski area map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Nevis Range gondola and ski area takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 4h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 5h 25m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:10. Start by 12:45 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08. Start by 12:43 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Aonach Mor summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Clear sky, up to 3°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -7°C, summit wind 10 mph gusting 22 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:10.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Mostly dry, up to 4°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 35 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for Nevis Range gondola and ski area: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 22 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 89% (Excellent), best around 07:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Aonach Mor forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Aonach Mor?
Before you go, also check: MWIS West Highlands forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · SAIS Lochaber avalanche report.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -7°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Aonach Mor
Aonach Mor is a 1220m Munro north-east of Ben Nevis, home to the Nevis Range ski area and gondola on its northern slopes. More about Aonach Mor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, HuMP.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stob an Chul-Choire (1,070 m), 1 km east
- Aonach Beag (1,234 m), 1.5 km south
- Carn Mor Dearg (1,220 m), 1.7 km south-west
- Carn Dearg Meadhonach (1,179 m), 1.7 km west
- Tom na Sroine (919 m), 2.1 km north-east
- Stob Coire Bhealaich (1,101 m), 2.2 km south-east
Challenges that include Aonach Mor
More walks from Nevis Range gondola base station
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Nevis Range via Aonach Mor up Aonach Beag
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 173 774, the summit at NN 193 729), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Nevis Range gondola and ski area: questions and answers
How far is Nevis Range gondola and ski area?
Nevis Range gondola and ski area is 6.4 km one way to the summit of Aonach Mor, with 1,122 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.8 km.
How long does Nevis Range gondola and ski area take?
About 3h 10m to the summit of Aonach Mor and 4h 25m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 5h 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Nevis Range gondola and ski area?
Nevis Range gondola and ski area starts from Nevis Range gondola base station (Torlundy). The grid reference is NN 173 774.
Is Nevis Range gondola and ski area suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Nevis Range gondola and ski area today?
By 12:45 at the latest. Sunset on Aonach Mor today is 18:10, Nevis Range gondola and ski area takes about 4h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Nevis Range gondola and ski area?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).