Mountain Track from Glen Nevis up Ben Nevis: route map, distance and time
1,345 m · Highland · OS grid NN166712
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain at 1345m, climbed by the Mountain Track from Glen Nevis or the Carn Mor Dearg Arête.
A built path climbs to the halfway lochan and then zigzags up stony slopes to the summit plateau.
Mountain Track from Glen Nevis at a glance
| Distance | 9.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 1,370 m |
| Time up | 4h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Glen Nevis Visitor Centre |
| Start grid reference | NN 122 729 |
| Summit grid reference | NN166712 |
Mountain Track from Glen Nevis 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
- Ben Nevis Inn0.3 km
- Railway Social Club1.9 km
- Costa1.8 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park0.6 km
- The Helferindernot1.6 km
- Slighly downhill, but usable1.8 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Mountain Track from Glen Nevis takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 4h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 4h 5m | 5h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 5h 0m | 7h 15m |
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 11:15 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08. Start by 11:13 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Ben Nevis summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 2°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -8°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 20 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. 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 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 12% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 08:01, sunset 18:08.
Best day of the next seven for Mountain Track from Glen Nevis: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 20 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 81% (Excellent), best around 05:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour Ben Nevis forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Ben Nevis?
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 -8°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 Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain at 1345m, climbed by the Mountain Track from Glen Nevis or the Carn Mor Dearg Arête. More about Ben Nevis, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Munro, Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Carn Dearg (1,221 m), 1 km north-west
- Carn Mor Dearg (1,220 m), 1.4 km north-east
- Carn Dearg (1,020 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Carn Dearg Meadhonach (1,179 m), 1.7 km north-east
Challenges that include Ben Nevis
- National Three Peaks · 3
- Scottish Three Peaks · 3
- Ramsay Round · 24
- Munros · 282
- County Tops · 88
- Marilyns · 1,555
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NN 122 729, the summit at NN166712), 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.
Mountain Track from Glen Nevis: questions and answers
How far is Mountain Track from Glen Nevis?
Mountain Track from Glen Nevis is 9.0 km one way to the summit of Ben Nevis, with 1,370 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 18.0 km.
How long does Mountain Track from Glen Nevis take?
About 4h 5m to the summit of Ben Nevis and 5h 55m 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 7h 15m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Mountain Track from Glen Nevis?
Mountain Track from Glen Nevis starts from Glen Nevis Visitor Centre. The grid reference is NN 122 729.
Is Mountain Track from Glen Nevis 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 Mountain Track from Glen Nevis today?
By 11:15 at the latest. Sunset on Ben Nevis today is 18:10, Mountain Track from Glen Nevis takes about 5h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Mountain Track from Glen Nevis?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).