Open Group Climb Ben Nevis

Name: Open Group Climb Ben Nevis
Start: 2026-05-23T07:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-23T07:30:00+00:00
Location: Ben Nevis

Question 1

HOW BIG SHOULD MY RUCKSACK BE?

Accepted Answer

Your rucksack should be at least 25 litres in size with two shoulder straps and ideally a chest and/or waist strap too. Please do not bring satchels or shopping bags, they are uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time.

To waterproof your possessions, we recommend that you line your rucksack with a bin bag or put your items into separate plastic shopping bags. Re-usable ‘Zip-lock’ bags are good for smaller items or mobile phones. Don’t limit your Kit List packing because you can’t fit it in your bag; find a bigger bag!

Question 2

WILL THERE BE TOILET STOPS?

Accepted Answer

By booking on to a outdoor challenge you are participating in an outdoor activity where public toilets are not ‘the norm’. There are sometimes toilets where we start our walks,but please be awars that they may not be open depending on what time we meet! If you suffer from any medical conditions which mean you will need access to a toilet more often, then please do get in touch as we hope to make our events as accessible to as many people as we can. Going to the toilet ‘in the outdoors’ just needs some privacy, some sense of humour and some toilet tissue/rubbish bag, if applicable. This is so you can put any solids including toilet tissue in a rubbish bag and put this back in your rucksack, rather than leaving toilet tissue or baby wipes discarded on the mountain – please don’t!

Question 3

WHAT IS AN OPEN DAY?

Accepted Answer

Our Open days have been put together for individuals and small groups of 4 or fewer to join together for a guided experience without the extra cost of booking a bespoke event. Choose your date on our booking form and make new friends on your Open day. Alternatively, contact us about booking your bespoke event on a date of your choosing.

Question 4

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Accepted Answer

By Train

Fort William’s train station is a 6-minute drive, 33-minute bus ride or 40-minute walk away from the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre. The station is connected to the rest of the UK via Glasgow making train a fantastic and eco-friendly way to start your trip.

If you’re coming from the south, then be sure to check out the Caledonian Sleeper train which runs overnight and offers private rooms with comfy beds so you can sleep your way to Scotland.

By Car

Follow the M6 north until it changes to the A74 at Gretna Green, another change to the M74 will bring you into Glasgow. You’ll need to leave Glasgow on the M8 before turning off to cross the River Clyde then on to the A82 all the way up to Fort William.

Glasgow and Edinburgh both offer car hire options.

By Coach

National Express services run to Glasgow from London, Birmingham, Leeds, and more, from as little as £20.50. See below for onward travel.

Local Buses

From Glasgow, you can take the number 914 bus straight up to Fort William. This journey will take about 3.5 hours and might not be best for those who suffer from motion sickness – take the train instead!

A local bus company, Shiel buses can be used for getting in and out of Fort William and the N41 bus will take you up to the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre.

By Bike

If you enjoy cycling, why not use pedal power to come to the beautiful, Scottish Mountains. Visit Sustrans to find quiet, traffic-calmed and traffic-free routes linked with local roads to bring you to the foot of the UK’s tallest mountain.

Question 5

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CLIMB?

Accepted Answer

The time it takes to climb Ben Nevis can vary widely based on several factors, including the chosen route, weather conditions, individual fitness levels, and rest breaks taken along the way. On average, the ascent via the Pony Track or Tourist Route, which is the most popular and easiest path, takes around 4-5 hours to reach the summit. The descent can take roughly 3-3.5 hours.

Therefore, the total time for the round trip via this route typically ranges from 7 to 9 hours. Our guides will ensure the walk moves at a pace everyone is comfortable with.

Question 6

CAN I BRING CHILDREN?

Accepted Answer

In principle, yes, however this does depend on the child’s fitness and experience. As a guide we recommend over 10 year olds only, in order to keep up with the other participants on our open Ben nevis days.

Babies can be carried in a secure baby carrier back-pack, but please do bear in mind that the path surfaces are uneven and the weather can change suddenly. Your baby will need to be wrapped up warm, as they won’t be moving and can chill quickly.

Question 7

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF WHERE I CAN STAY?

Accepted Answer

Please see our website for places to stay for your visit.

https://www.climb-ben-nevis.co.uk/accommodation

Question 8

HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?

Accepted Answer

Climbing Ben Nevis requires a reasonable level of fitness. While it's a popular hike and doesn't demand technical climbing skills, it's a challenging ascent. The main trail, the Pony Track or Tourist Route, is a long and steep path that requires stamina and endurance. The round trip usually takes around 7-9 hours, depending on weather conditions and individual pace.

In the month before your Ben Nevis day, we recommend you aim to have completed at least a few 8 mile walks, ideally over mixed terrain and in various weathers. If you can complete one longer day walk, with a backpack, over hilly terrain – this will give you confidence that you have the stamina to start your walk. To help you prepare, we’ll send you an Adventure Fitness 6-10 week training plan when you book.

Take a look at our downloadable Climb Ben Nevis training plan to help you get ready for the big day.

Question 9

CAN I CLIMB BEN NEVIS FOR CHARITY?

Accepted Answer

Every time you book a Ben Nevis walk with us, we donate £1 to the Ben Nevis Partnership.

If you’d like to fundraise for a particular charity, just tell who you want to fundraise for and we can help you spread the word and maybe even recruit some fellow fundraisers to walk with you.

Most charities will offer you a fundraising pack with sponsor forms and t-shirts which will guide you. You will still pay us your Climb Ben Nevis cost, and it will be up to you to raise funds for your charity, on top of paying us to join our walk.

View our dedicated Charities section for more information.

Question 10

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Accepted Answer

Everyone who signs up to one of our Climb Ben Nevis days should be ready for various weathers on their walk. This includes extreme heat as well as wind, rain, low cloud and even snow showers!

We recommend layers, as they allow you to adjust your clothing based on changing weather conditions or your level of exertion during the climb.

We’ll provide you with a full kit list before your guided climb, but here are some ideas:

• Moisture-Wicking Base Layers: Start with moisture-wicking materials (avoid cotton) for both top and bottom to manage sweat and keep you dry.
• Insulating Layers: Depending on the weather, add insulating layers such as fleece or wool to retain body heat. Consider a fleece jacket or a down jacket for colder conditions.
• Waterproof Jacket and trousers: Outer layers should be waterproof and windproof to protect against rain, snow, and wind. Gore-Tex or similar materials work well.
• Hiking trousers: Sturdy, comfortable trousers designed for hiking that offer mobility and protection against abrasions.
• Hiking Boots: Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support and proper traction for navigating the varied terrain.
• Socks: Opt for moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks to prevent blisters. Consider a liner sock underneath for added comfort.
• Gloves and Hat: Carry gloves for warmth and protection against the cold, along with a hat or beanie to retain heat.
• Sun Protection: Sunglasses with UV protection, sunscreen, and a wide-brimmed hat or cap

Question 11

WILL I BE LEFT BEHIND IF I'M SLOW?

Accepted Answer

No, you won’t. Our Open group walks always contain a mix of people with different fitness levels and walking speed. As these days are designed to bring like-minded people together, we focus on enjoying the walk rather than reaching the summit as fast as possible.

Our local leaders are super experienced in working with groups of different abilities. They know exactly how to manage a group to give everyone the very best day possible, while keeping the whole group safe.

If you’re worried about your fitness levels, then check out our “How fit do I need to be” FAQ with information on pre-event training. If you’re injured or it looks like you won’t be back off the mountain in time, then our leaders might discuss the options of heading down early. This is a conversation for the group as a whole and any decisions will be made with the group's safety as a top priority.

Question 12

WHICH PATH WILL WE TAKE?

Accepted Answer

We use the Pony Track or Ben Path, the Mountain Path is the route best suited to first-time visitors who are not experienced in the mountains. While no route up Ben Nevis is “easy” – it is the tallest mountain in the UK – this is the easiest option available. That doesn’t detract from the experience, though. While you are more likely to share the trail with a significant number of fellow hikers (particularly in the busier months), it’s still a great route up the mountain.

Distance: 4 miles / 6.5km
Ascent: 1,300m
Time to the top: 4 hours
Start Point: Ben Nevis Visitor Centre

Question 13

HOW CHALLENGING IS THE PATH?

Accepted Answer

Though almost everyone would agree that this is the most straightforward and least physically demanding Ben Nevis route, you shouldn’t underestimate it. There’s actually been a bit of a move away from using the Tourist Route name over concerns it made the trail sound like a walk in the park and people were turning up unprepared and ill-equipped to take on the challenge. While the Mountain Path requires no technical mountain skills and features no scrambling, it requires a good level of physical fitness.

Open Group Climb Ben Nevis

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Open Group Climb Ben Nevis