About Ben Nevis in Fort William Scotland early winter morning at Tomacharich... Ben Nevis from Loch Eil on the way to Glenfinnan village... Loch Lochy and Ben Nevis at the end of a glorious day... About Ben Nevis in Fort William Scotland This section of the Visit Fort William website is all about Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles which dominates the landscape of Fort William, outdoor capital of the UK. Ben Nevis, or the 'Ben' as it is fondly known locally, sits majestically at the head of Loch Linnhe, its presence obvious from all corners of Fort William and some parts of Lochaber. Visit Fort William Ltd operates the Ben Nevis HDWebCam from Tomacharich , just outside Fort William town centre. The dramatic effect of Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain, is emphasised by the fact that it begins its rise from sea-level on the shores of Loch Linnhe, to tower 4,406ft (1,344m) above the town of Fort William, providing an almost paternal presence. If you like the view - clouds and weather permitting, why not stay there...

check out Woodside B&B or Cedar Lodge for self catering in Fort William - which is where the camera is located. What does 'Nevis' mean? The river and glen running past the mountain both carry the name, as does the remote sea loch at Knoydart, 40 miles to the west. In Gaelic the mountain's name, Beinn Nibheis, has been linked with Irish and Gaelic words meaning poisonous or terrible, implying a fairly ominous character. Ben Nevis, although not as high as Alpine mountains, is positioned on a more northerly latitude and the climate can be considered similar to Arctic regions. While there may be a welcoming sea breeze on the shores of Loch Linnhe, 20-30 knots of chilling wind may be evident on the summit of the Ben. Many walkers/climbers find weather conditions changing within minutes - usually for the worse - as they work their way up the mountain. If you are planing to walk up the mountain footpath wtih friends or on your own, be warned that the mountain can be intolerant of inexperienced, ill-prepared walkers!

The good news is that guidance and information about walking up Ben Nevis is available by checking out our safety and common sense advice pages. You may like to consider the services and benefits of a guided walk up Ben Nevis, with a Ben Nevis mountain guide to provide a memorable and fun day out for you and your companions. The Ben Nevis Observatory ruin is a fascinating story about the early days of meteorology in the UK. The Ben Nevis Race, and Three Peaks Race events are both very popular. Ben Nevis Distillery is both an important local business and place of interest for visitors. Thousands of people walk up Ben Nevis every year and the vast majority do so in safety, taking common sense measures to make sure they stay safe while on the mountain. We hope you enjoy your own experience of walking up Ben Nevis and have a great time ! Please be considerate and not waste Police time by not walking up Ben Nevis when there is a severe weather forecast warning of gale-force winds and torrential rain. There's always another day to enjoy the experience safely and sensibly. If you are looking for a good place to stay, check out our accommodation section or try some of our premium advertisers on this page. You may be interested in...

Featured Listing Ardlinnhe Bed & Breakfast Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ Ardlinnhe offers a unique experience for visitors to Fort William. We have a superb location facing Loch Linnhe and three quality ensuite bedrooms to ensure your stay is a very comfortable one. With lots of private parking and only a 5 minutes walk along the lochside into the town centre, it... St Anthonys Bed & Breakfast St Anthonys, Argyll Road, Fort William, PH33 6LF St Anthonys is a quiet, comfortable Fort William Bed & Breakfast situated in the middle of town in an elevated position giving lovely views over Loch Linnhe and the surrounding hills. We have 3 Double rooms and 1 Family Suite. All rooms are en-suite, with hospitality trays, hairdryers, flat screen tv/dvd players... The Willows Guest House, Fort William The Willows, Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ The Willows is a 3 star family run guest house situated by the shores of Loch Linnhe with views of the Ardgour hills.

Located close to Fort William town centre it is approximately a 10 - 15 minute pleasant stroll along the gardens of Loch Linnhe to the restaurants, bars and shops. But for... Bed & Breakfast, Fort William - a view with a view Woodside , Tomacharich, Fort William, PH33 6SW Fort William short breaks and weekend breaks are available all year round. A MARVELLOUS view awaits when you book and stay at our excellent B&B in Fort William.Sorry to disappoint but we have no B&B vacancies until near the end of SeptemberWoodside bed and breakfast in Fort William enjoys a peaceful, countryside... Gowan Brae House Union Road, Fort William, PH33 6RB A warm highland welcome awaits you at Gowan Brae which was built at the turn of the 20th century and is situated on the hillside above the town overlooking Loch Linnhe and the Treislaig Hills. We offer two double ensuite rooms and one twin room with private facilities.An extensive breakfast menu...

Braeburn Guesthouse Braeburn, Corpach, Fort William, PH33 7LX John and Julie Mackin look forward to welcoming you to our spacious and beautifully appointed home, where your comfort in our Fort William B&B is always our top priority. Braeburn is a family run house set in its own grounds with beautiful views of Loch Linnhe and the Ardgour Hills.All of our... St Andrews Guest House Fassifern Road, Fort William, PH33 6BD Only minutes from Fort William town centre and within walking distance of the train station and bus stance, St Andrews House is a wonderful, Victorian building and home to the Wynne Family. Originally the rectory and Choir School for St Andrews Church, which can be seen from the house.St Andrews provides... Alltonside Guest House ALLTONSIDE GUEST HOUSE, ACHINTORE ROAD, FORT WILLIAM, PH33 6RW Alltonside is a modern 3 star guest house situated just over a mile from Fort William town centre. It commands fabulous views over Loch Linnhe and the hills beyond. We offer you a comfortable and friendly stay. Each of our six ensuite letting rooms is kept to a high standard with...

Torlinnhe Guest House Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RW Andy and Sue Keen would be delighted to welcome you to Torlinnhe, for an exceptional bed and breakfast experience in Fort William. Our guests’ comfort and enjoyment is our top priority! Right from the moment you call us to enquire you will find us friendly and welcoming. On arrival, relax a... Crolinnhe Bed and Breakfast Grange Road, Fort William, PH33 6JF A superb, secluded Guest House with it's own extensive gardens and elevated views overlooking Loch Linnhe. This lovingly restored Victorian villa is a haven in the West Highlands of Scotland. Crolinnhe is a 5-star establishment offering exceptional levels of comfort to guests and a warm welcome with an intimate and opulent... Ardmory Bed & Breakfast Ardmory, Victoria Road, Fort William, PH33 6BH Ardmory B&B in Fort William is a modern house with a spacious garden in a quiet street close to the town centre with private parking and convenient for railway and bus stations. There are panoramic views over Loch Linnhe and surrounding mountains. We have 2 double rooms and 1 twin room....

Burnlea Bed and Breakfast Fort William Burnlea, Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RN Burnlea bed and breakfast in Fort William has stunning, uninterrupted panoramic views over Loch Linnhe to the hills beyond and is just a mile's scenic walk from the shops, restaurants and pubs of Fort William. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, superb breakfasts; Highland hospitality at its best! Rooms from £79 - £95 per... Torlundy House Happy Valley, Torlundy, Fort William, PH33 6SN Torlundy House is a family run Guest House located in the rural settlement of Torlundy some 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland. Your hosts, Michael and Maxean, have been providing B&B for 14 years in Torlundy.We have lived in Torlundy for nearly 15 years now... The Grange Bed & Breakfast Grange road, Fort William, PH33 6JF One of Fort William's fabulous 5 star Guesthouses looks forward to welcoming you to our comfortable home.

Tucked away in its own grounds overlooking Loch Linnhe Yet only 10 min walk from the town centre offering luxury rooms with both traditional and contemporary design PierreCardin and egyptian cotton bedlinen Penhaligon toiletries, fresh... Burntree House Bed & Breakfast Burntree House, Lochview Estate, Fort William, PH33 6UP Situated in an exclusive and peaceful residential area of Fort Wililam, Burntree House is the ideal base for your holiday in the Highlands. Nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis, yet within walking distance of Fort William town centre, the house commands exhilarating views of Loch Linnhe and the world famous... Fassfern Bed and Breakfast Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ We are just a 2/3 minute walk from Fort William town centre and also the end of the West Highland Way. Situated on the shore of Loch Linnhe, we have stunning views across the loch towards the Ardgour hills. Our all our rooms are en-suite with central heating. We have flat...

Number 81 81 Alma Road, Fort William, PH33 6HF Number 81: Small, friendly B&B near Fort William Town Centre - quite near Bus and Railway Stations.Full Scottish Breakfast or Vegetarian available. Fort William is an ideal centre for walking and climbing being situated at the foot of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Britain) and Glencoe is just fifteen miles... Gantocks Bed & Breakfast Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RN The Gantocks, a Visit Scotland 5 star B&B, is spectacularly situated overlooking Loch Linnhe and the Ardgour hills. A Panorama bathed in ever changing light. We offer three gorgeous en-suite rooms with sumptuous super king beds on the ground floor, and each one individually decorated.Afternoon tea on arrival with delicious homemade... Guisachan Guest House Alma Road, FortWilliam, PH33 6HA A warm welcome awaits you at Guisachan House, a family run guesthouse offering bed and breakfast in Fort William.

We are situated in an elevated position away from the main road with views over Loch Linnhe and surrounding hills, and only 5 minutes walking distance from Fort William town centre, railway station, bus stop,... Highwinds Highwinds, Torlundy , Fort William, PH33 6SW Highwinds Bed and Breakfast is in the rural settlement of Torlundy 4 miles north of Fort William with superb views towards the North Face of Ben Nevis and across farmland to the hills beyond Loch Linnhe. We recently completed a full renovation to create a high standard of luxury En-Suite rooms... Chenderoh Guesthouse Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ Located on Fort William's "Golden Mile" - a lovely loch-side approach to Fort William, Chenderoh Guesthouse welcomes couples and adults looking for comfortable accommodation within walking distance of the town centre.Our 1930s villa is quite unique in the area and has a superb outlook over Loch Linnhe and the Ardour hills....

Achintee Farm Guest House Achintee, Glen Nevis, Fort William, PH33 6TE Achintee Farm Guest House is beside the river in Glen Nevis, at the start of the Ben Nevis footpath. We offer a peaceful, relaxing stay with plenty of walking right from the front door and mountain views all around. The West Highland Way passes close by. Our 19th century farmhouse has... Carinbrook Guesthouse Carinbrook, Banavie, Fort William, PH33 7LX Here at Carinbrook Bed and Breakfast in Fort William, you will receive a warm, Highland welcome to our home. Carinbrook offers one twin-bedded ensuite and three double ensuite B&B rooms, plus one single ensuite room. Each of our comfortable rooms is tastefully decorated, has central heating, hair dryer and complimentary tea... Glen Marie B & B Glen Marie, Tomacharich, Fort William, PH33 6SW With wonderful views of near by Ben Nevis, and a pastoral landscape of grazing horses outside the front door, Glen Marie B & B is a place worth considering for a visit.

We're only 10 minutes from the town centre, yet enjoy a quiet setting in the country. We offer one... Buccleuch Guest House Buccleuch Guest House, Achintore Road, Fort William, PH33 6RQ With fine views over Loch Linnhe and the hills of Ardgour, Buccleuch B & B (pronounced 'Buckloo') provides a great place to stay while visiting Fort William and touring the West Coast of scotland. Our spacious, Victorian (circa 1878), stone-built home has seven ensuite bedrooms. Breakfast is served in our airy... 10 Best Cheap Hotels Near Ben Nevis - Hotels.com 4. Glencoe House 5. Old Pines Hotel And to help you make up your mind, you can read some of our reviews for Ben Nevis hotels. Staying near Ben Nevis Our map based hotel search function can be accessed from the map image above (or via standard search results) clearly showing the location of each hotel around Ben Nevis. You can also refine your search within Fort William based upon other nearby landmarks and neighbourhoods as well as transport options to help you get around.

If you're driving, be sure to also check for hotels that offer onsite parking. To get the best hotel deals near Ben Nevis you can also filter by price/ average nightly rate, and if you know what quality you are looking for, you can also filter by star rating and our own guest review rating, with reviews written by other guests from the UK and around the world. If you're visiting Ben Nevis with the family or in a large group, be sure to check out the room options and facilities we list for each hotel to ensure we help find you the perfect hotel. Right now, our most popular hotel in Fort William is Coinachan Guest House. Deals on hotels near Ben Nevis Hotels.com makes it easy to save money on every booking. We offer our Price Guarantee on most bookings. Plus we offer 4 more ways to save: 1. Hotels.com Rewards - Collect 10 nights, get 1 free* 2. Hotels.com Deals - Search over 10,000 deals! 3. Hotels.com voucher codes - All our official promo and discount codes in one place. 4. City Breaks - Save up to 50% on weekend and short breaks.

Scotland Hotels - Ben Nevis Scotland Hotels in Fort William Ben Nevis & Fort William At 4406 feet Ben Nevis near Fort William in Scotland is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. Hill walkers, climbers, ice-climbers and mountaineers from all over the world make their way to Ben Nevis every year for the challenging climbs, the spectacular views and the amazing setting in the western highlands of Scotland. If you are a munro-bagger, to use a modern term, then Ben Nevis is the jewel in the crown. Great care should be taken when climbing all hills and mountains, including Ben Nevis. Scottish mountains can look very deceptive in appearance, especially for those used to the rock-faced steep peaks of the Alps or Rocky Mountains. The mountains in Scotland look smaller and often close to the road. However they are usually further away and much higher than they look, as many a tourist stuck halfway up in the middle of the night has found out. The Scottish Mountain Rescue teams bring many lucky and some not-so-lucky hill walkers and climbers off the mountains in the highlands of Scotland every year. If you plan a hill-climbing trip up Ben Nevis please take care and be environmentally aware on your journey.

Fort William Fort William is a small town near Ben Nevis and on the shores of Loch Linnhe at the western end of the Great Glen and Caledonian Canal. There are plenty of fantastic attractions in the Fort William area including Inverlochy Castle, as visited and used by Robert The Bruce. Fort William is also a good base to explore the western highlands such as Mallaig and Morar, Glenfinnan, Glencoe and northern Argyll. Our selection of hotels in Fort William is second to none and for a small town there is a surprisingly good choice. Its also very worthwhile considering the outlying areas as well as Fort william itself. To search for hotels in the Fort William area, simply click the green button below. A selection of accommodation including hotels and guest houses in Fort William and the surrounding area will then be displayed. Your hotel in fort William will serve you well for any climb up Ben nevis or a sightseeing tour of the western highlands of Scotland. Ben-Nevis.com BEN NEVIS - 'The Ben' Fàilte! Ben Nevis (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Nibheis) is the highest mountain in the British Isles.

It is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of Scotland, close to the town of Fort William and is affectionately known as 'The Ben.' Ben Nevis attracts an estimated 125,000 complete and a further 100,000 partial ascents per year, most of which are made by walkers using the well-constructed Mountain Track ( Pony Track ) from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain. For climbers and mountaineers the main attraction lies in the 600-metre (2,000 ft) high cliffs of the north face. Among the highest cliffs in the United Kingdom, they harbour some of the best scrambles and rock climbs at all levels of difficulty, and are one of the principal locations in the UK for ice climbing.

The summit, at 1,344.527m (4,411ft 2in) (or 1,345m on the new Ordnance Survey maps) above sea level, unusually for a mountain in Scotland, features the ruins of a building, an observatory , which was permanently staffed from 1883 until its closure in 1904.

The Origins of the Name The name, 'Ben Nevis,' is from the Gaelic, 'Beinn Nibheis.' While 'beinn' is a common Gaelic word for 'mountain' the word 'nibheis' is understood to have several meanings and is commonly translated as 'malicious' or 'venomous' therefore giving the meaning of 'Venomous (or malicious) mountain.' Another interpretation of the name Ben Nevis, is that it derives from beinn nèamh-bhathais, from the word nèamh meaning 'heavens (or clouds)' and bathais meaning 'top of a man's head.' This would therefore translate literally as, 'the mountain with its head in the clouds' although this is sometimes also given as the more poetic, 'mountain of heaven.' Popular Scotland Mountains - Route Descriptions - Ben Nevis Ben Nevis seen from A82 Introduction Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British isles, and of course the highest of the munros in Scotland (a Munro is a mountain higher than 3000 feet).

The mountain attracks large crowds of hikers every year and the erosion up the tourist trail is seen from a long distance. Ben Nevis looks different depending on the angle it is viewed from. On the west side (where the tourist trail runs), the mountain looks like a big hill, while from the north/north-east, the steep and massive north-east walls are revealed. This is also a popular climbing area. The mountain is also steep towards the south, and is best viewed from the top of one of the Mamore peaks. The summit offer great views all around, and the view is the great reward for anyone that makes it up all the way from sea level. Many will find comfort in the large number of hikers on the regular "tourist" trail, but others are looking for a more challenging hike. A traverse over the Carn Mor Dearg (Cmd) arï¿½te, and the summit of Carn Mor Dearg will satisfy most hikers. This is the hike described on this page. Ben Nevis has a reputation of attracting clouds (over 300 days per year!), and the weather on top can often be severe. On the Visitor Center, information about the mountain is given, and should be studied well.

The flat summit combined with fog can easily send you in the wrong direction when going down. A map and compass should be mandatory when hiking in challenging weather. Be aware of that the weather can change dramatically within a short period of time. Trail Descriptions Ben Nevis and the Cmd arete (summer/autumn) Difficulty : For all practical reasons - sea level Access: From A82 in Fort William, exit towards the Glen Nevis valley and drive up to the visitor centre (approx. 3km). Find parking there and visit the visitor centre for pamplets and information about the mountain. Buses run between Ft. William and the visitor centre. The trail: From the visitor centre, locate a bridge that takes you over River Nevis. Follow the path along the river and then over grassland by the Achintee Farm before it starts climbing up to lake Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. The trail up to the lake is on a well kept/eroded trail with several small creeks crossing the trail, allowing your supplies of water to be refreshed. On the west side of the lake you will see the Meall an t-Suidhe hill (711m).

This is an insignificant hill compared to Ben Nevis, and is not a Munro, but the hill has a primary factor of >135m, meeting the U.S. unofficial standards for a ranked mountain. From the lake, the trail is still very obvious, but the ground is scree instead of soil or rocks put in place. In the beginning, the trail runs south on a long stretch, before it switchbacks eastbound all the way to the summit. The hiking time to the summit is estimated to 4 hours, but the time for hikers fit enough for the arete is approx. 3 hours (or less). The record to up and down the tourist trail is said to be 1 hour, 45 minutes. Enjoy the mighty scenery from Ben Nevis and move over to the far eastern end to view the arete. From the eastern viewpoint, you will also have a good view of the Tower Ridge - an advanced scrambling route from the CIC hut to the summit (This is absolutely a route that requires rope, but the ridge is not considered to be a climbing route). From the viewpoint, head back in the direction of the summit, but turn a little south.

You should see a warning sign (pole) that indicates the start of the ridge. There is a partly visible trail down from Ben Nevis to the arete, but this is for all practical reasons a boulder/scree descent, and care must be taken here. Down on the arete the trail is more obvious. In the very beginning of the ridge there is also a (probably dangerous when heading down) trail that takes you straight down to the CIC hut (private) in the Coire Leis. Traverse the ridge either on the visible trail or on top of the ridge. When climbing high, absolute head for heights is required as you cross a small section of boulder less than 1 meter wide. The visible trail that runs slightly lower than the high ridge does not have any particular scary points. General head for heights is in general useful in order to fully enjoy this magnificent hike. When looking ahead on the ridge, and up to Carn Mor Dearg, do remember that ridges look sharp from distance, but in general, they offer the needed width on closer contact. From Carn Mor Dearg, enjoy the massive east face of Ben Nevis before heading down towards Carn Dearg Meadhonach, an unranked point further down north.

Pick a grass slope that will take you safely down to Coire Leis (there are several slopes showing signs of tourists). This is a 500m descent in steep terrain and will be a challenge to your knees. Down in the valley, cross Allt a Mhuilinn and head towards the quite visible trail that takes you to lake Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. Your knees will probably enjoy the ascent up to the lake after the steep descent down into the valley. Follow the east side of the lake back to the tourist trail where you came up. Trip report July 13 2002: The four of us (Dag, Gro, Else and I) woke up in Ft. William to a beautiful day. We quickly decided to go for Ben Nevis as our first hike. Arriving the visitor centre, we saw the upper part of the mountain was wrapped in clouds. We knew that sunshine on the summit was hard to come by, but due to the lovely weather all around, we decided to go for it. Perhaps good things would happen as we reached the summit. We just couldn't believe the "herds" of people on the way up the mountain.

Even more mind-boggling was the large crowds of people coming down the mountain. Many of them were running, looking like they had met evil face to face. What the hell was up there? A little conversation with a mountain "watchman" revelead that it was a "three peaks in-a-day" race. Ben Nevis in the morning. Then onto Scaffel Pike in England before heading down to Wales for Snowdon. The highest peak in each country. All within 24 hours. We witnessed in disbelief the entire spectre of people on this mountain. I really hope the lady in high heels 150m up the mountain weren't going for the summit. And the guy with two fully loaded plastic bags. What was his plan? Because of pink faces and hyperventilation here and there, I felt there should have been paramedic emergency stations along the trail. No wonder the Ben Nevis pamplet is packed with warnings. The pamplet would have met U.S. standards any time. The four of us kept a steady rhythm to the summit with one break for food.

The fog became all the more dense towards the summit, but through a small miracle, the fog lifted just as we entered the summit plateau, 3 hours after the start (lunch not included). Marvellous vistas in all directions. We noticed that no one had seeked to the eastern end of the summit, and we decided to take our summit break there. It was difficult to understand why everyone else gathered on the centre of the plateau instead of seeking out on the eastern side with the grand views down to Coire Leis and the ridge. As we enjoyed a good rest and a nice meal we watched the beautiful arï¿½te to Carn Mor Dearg, and decided to head back over the ridge. Before we left, we had the company of a rescue helicopter that came up Coire Leis and flew just above our heads. As the naive Norwegians we were, we waved our hands politely to the helicopter and the helicopter crew waved back. It only took a second before we realized that this was a silly thing to do. Fortunately, it looked as the helicopter only was on a training mission, and we avoided being rescued. From distance it was hard to tell how narrow the ridge was.

On our way down, we asked hikers coming up about the difficulties. An american couple was talking about hands and knees. We decided that a second opinion was called for, and picked out a senior male on the way up. "Where you from?" he yelled way before we were in talking distance. "Not Swedish! Not German! Not French!" he yelled, still way before the proper talking distance. "Norwegian", we yelled back and he was satisfied with his analytic abilities. We asked about the ridge and he promptly responded - "for Norwegians - it's a doddle!". It quite sounded as the opposite of hands and knees, and we didn't bother asking what "doddle" really meant. The ridge was really enjoyable. Never spooky for those with some mountain hiking experience. I went into "goat gear" and chose to hike the ridge on its highest. I was a little concerned when I saw the girls followed the same way. I was about to suggest that they took the lower path, but changed my mind when I watched them climb the obstacles as it was the most natural thing to do. I reminded myself that they were from Sogn and Fjordane district.

In those parts of Norway, you don't see the sky for mountains. The high ridge had only one point where I reminded myself not to stumble. A short section of narrow rocks, only 1 meter wide. Across the ridge we spoke about the relieve of avoiding the crowds, but as we hiked up to Carn Mor Dearg, a large hiking party came up the eastern ridge and entered the summit just before us. We found our private spot further away and enjoyed the great eastern face of Ben Nevis. As the group left for the arï¿½te, we were only left with a sheep and her lamb. I was impressed about the horns on the mother and the black spot covering the lamb's face. They were obviously on the lookout for goodies, but never found the courage to ask. We headed steep down towards the CIC hut in Coire Leis and up to lake Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe before joining the tourist track on the south side of the lake. We arrived the visitor center approx. 10 hours after the departure, but this included several long breaks.

We felt really blessed with the weather change and was highly geared up for the rest of the stay, as we had "bagged the ben" on our first day. Pictures from the July 13 2002 hike: Move cursor to read notes, and click on the images to see full version. Some of the thumbnails may have been cropped to fit the format Other pictures: Trip report July 20 2002: One day left of our wonderful stay in Scotland, and I decided to hike Ben Nevis once more. This time I would do it alone, and I was curious about how fast I could hike it. In addition, I wanted to get the Meall an t-Suidhe hill, on the way down. For the second weekend in a row, it was a "three peaks in-a-day" race, and the hillside crawled with people. As we had been blessed with nice weather most of the week, I didn't mind the rain too much. It would actually be refreshing, as I was up for a tough hike. After 45 minutes, I was up at the lake, passing at least 50 people.

I tried to keep the same pace up the scree, but was slowed down by the loose scree and a strong wind against. Closer to the summit, I had passed another 50 people, and worked hard with a guy in jeans. I was barely able to close in on the distance, and had to gather hidden strengths to catch up with him. I passed him just before entering the summit plateau, 1 hour, 45 minutes after I started. It was cold as hell up there, and both of us turned around immediately. I asked him - considering his casual jacket and jeans - "did you drive by and just noticed a mountain?" He was an experienced hiker from Holland, and I got the feeling that this mountain was hardly worth dressing for. We kept each other company down to the lake before we split up. I did the 711m hill while the dutchman was scouting around for trails to Coire Leis. We met each other again on the way down. Down at the visitor centre, we met this guy shouting "Say chaps!

How far to the mountain?" We felt the ugly smell of beer and as we watched his city outfit and the cigar in his hand, we just shook our heads in disbelief. An enjoyable hike alltogether. Pictures from the July 20 2002 hike: Move cursor to read notes, and click on the images to see full version. Some of the thumbnails may have been cropped to fit the format Where to Stay near Ben Nevis and Fort William, Scotland Back to Top Have you climbed Ben Nevis, Snowdon or Scafell Pike? Or taken part in the Three Peaks Challenge? Or have a special walk you'd like to share? We'd love to here from you! Join us on Facebook or Send us an email. Where to Stay to Climb Ben Nevis Accommodation in and around Fort William Ben Nevis Accommodation Options The closest town to Ben Nevis is Fort William. Since the railway first brought Victorian tourists to the Highlands at the end of the 19th century, Fort William has grown up to offer something for everyone whether you are looking for outdoor pursuits or a family holiday. There are a number of visitor centres which will provide help with accommodation and suggestions of things to do.

If you want to stay in comfort in a hotel, bed and breakfast or guest house Fort William and the surrounding villages (see below) makes a great base. If you are staying in self-catering accommodation around Ben Nevis, you will find everything you need to keep stocked up in the various supermarkets in the town. If you don't feel like doing the cooking, you will find plenty of restaurants and eating places to suit every budget. Where can you stay? Apart from looking for a hotel in Fort William, there are a few villages nearby which will make a good base both for climbing Ben Nevis and for touring the Highlands. Descriptions of the most popular are below. Distances are from Fort William and travel time is by car. Glencoe 20 miles - 30-minute journey Glencoe is the home of the Glencoe Mountain Resort. In summer, outdoor sports include mountain biking, archery, orienteering and hillwalking, and in winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and avalanche rescue training take place. The ski/snowboarding slopes have 19 runs and 7 lifts.

Glencoe itself is a brooding Glen infamous for the massacre in 1692, and it's hard to walk here and not to feel the brooding atmosphere of the events of the past. As a place to stay Glencoe offers a full range of accommodation and camp sites. Glenfinnan 18 miles, 28-minute journey A small and beautiful village offering a limited range of accommodation but with the unique prospect of staying in a converted railway carriage at the Glenfinnan Station Museum. There is a Memorial here to commemorate the landing of Bonny Prince Charlie on Scottish soil in 1745. Invergarry 25 miles, 35-minute journey Situated where the River Garry flows into Loch Oich. The village is nestled in the Great Glen and is renowned as a and in the Great Glen excellent base for walking. There is a small range of accommodation here. Camping is a great option when visiting the highlands. Fort William Caravan and Campsites give useful information on campsites in the local area. Remember when camping the weather, even in summer, is likely to be cooler here than in England or Wales, and even in August, there can be sharp early morning frosts.

Some campsites, including the Ben Nevis campsite, are closed during the winter months. You can only camp at low levels if you are on a campsite. Please respect the No Camping signs on private land. Scotland is relatively relaxed about wild camping unless signs expressly say otherwise in a particular area. You can wild camp on Ben Nevis higher up the mountain, but remember it is a very busy mountain, so you will want to find a place to get some privacy. When wild camping try to keep your group small, take litter away with you (don't bury it else animals will dig it up) and leave the camping spot exactly how you found it. You should not disturb or move anything, and help the environment by choosing a spot for your toilet at least 100ft (30 metres) from any water. Hostels You can stay in the Glen Nevis Hostel from just ï¿½12 a night. Self Catering accommodation is very popular for walking and hiking holidays - it's cheaper than staying in a hotel, and you can collapse and treat it as home after a long day on the mountains! There is quite of a lot of self-catering cottages in Fort William and around the Ben Nevis area.

Self Catering Accommodation Camping Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Kinlochleven 22 miles, 33-minute journey Kinlochleven lies at the eastern end of the sea loch, Loch Leven. This has become a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Due to its past walks around the area are of historical and scientific interest. In the centre of the town The Ice Factor has activities for all the family including indoor ice and rock climbing, abseiling, and a giant swing. Roy Bridge 13 miles, 21-minute journey Roy Bridge has a station, a few bed and breakfast or self-catering properties and is a good base for traveling. Quiet hamlet. Spean Bridge 9 miles, 15-minute journey Spean Bridge has a railway station and is the last stop before Fort William. The sleeper service stops daily. Famous for the Commando Monument and for the fact that the commandos trained here during the second world war. Has a good selection of places to stay and eat. Other pages you might like: Ballachulish 15 miles - 23-minute journey.

In 1975 a bridge was built linking the villages of North and South Ballachulish which removed a tedious car journey around the inlet. Not a large hamlet, but has a notoriety of its own. In 1752 James Stewart was hanged here in what is still known as the most serious miscarriage of justice in Scottish History. There is a memorial here to mark the event. Corpach 4 miles - 11-minute journey. This is the place where the Caledonian Canal meets the sea by way of Neptunes Staircase. Three locks are here, and eight in nearby Banavie. It's an interesting spectacle when you see a boat navigating its way slowly through the locks. The village also benefits from brilliant views of Ben Nevis. Corpach is smaller and less busy than Fort William. Fort Augustus 32 miles - 45-minute journey. Situated at one end of Loch Ness Fort Augustus has a good range of accommodation making an ideal base for exploring Loch Ness as well as your walk up Ben Nevis. You can do some monster spotting, and visit the evocative Urquhart Castle.

Ben Nevis Ben Nevis District: Western Highlands - Multimap view OS Sheet 41 ; Map reference NN 125 755 ; Latitude 56 51° N, Longitude 5 1° W Founded 1825 ; Operating Status (1999): operating Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis (1344m/4490ft) gave its name to a distillery in the nearest town, Fort William. The distillery was established in 1825 by "Long John" McDonald, a 6ft 4in descendant of a ruler of the western Scottish kingdom of Argyll. In 1989 the distillery was sold by Whitbread to Mitsui, partner of the Japanese whisky-makers Nikka. The new owners restored production of malt but not grain whisky in 1990 under the name Ben Nevis Distillery Co Ltd Lochy Bridge, Fort William, PH33 6TJ Tel: 01397-700200 I visited this in August '94 as I happened to be passing.

It's a small and utilitarian distillery which doesn't help but It is always good to see distilleries making an effort so on the positive side there was a small exhibition, the tour was free, the people friendly enough and there was a tasting (the blend only). The video they had put together was not that inspiring and some of the 'factual' myths they were putting forward about the origins of distilling were from the Tartan Loch Ness Monster school of presentation and plain wrong, even if given tongue-in-cheek. They have a home page (below). At present it is fairly light-weight but I moaned to them about the general presentation and they responded with their new brochure which is MUCH better and I look forward to seeing some or all of it on the net. I have a note of a grain distillery of the same name but I do not believe it is still operating. Ben Nevis Overview - Peakware.com Convenient Center: Fort William Ben Nevis is the highest peak in the United Kingdom. Though modest in height, it is a bold mountain, comprised of volcanic rock, and baring a northeast face that is two miles long and 2000 feet high.

This sheer cliff-wall has several excellent rock-climbing routes, and has a well-equipped hut at its base. There are other climbs in the area as well, as Ben Nevis is part of a large complex of ridges, buttresses, walls and gullies. The main route is fairly easy in decent conditions. In Winter meters of snow can pile up and make the climb much more challenging. Fort William and Glen Nevis B&B (Walkhighlands) Fort William and Glen Nevis B&B B&B in Fort William and Glen Nevis Switch to: Seafield House Fort William Whether you arrive by bicycle, foot, car or by boat you will be met by a 'failte mhor' at Seafield House. Fiona and Drew are keen walkers and cyclists who will do their utmost to ensure you are ready for the following day. Seafield house is sited in a quiet cul de sac with outstanding views of Loch Linnhe and Glen Stronchreggan in the Ardgour hills. We provide a kingsize double room, a twin room and a single room. All rooms have an en-suite, TV, hair dryer and a hospitality tray.

Achintee Farm Guest House Glen Nevis near Fort William Achintee Farm Guest House is beside the river in Glen Nevis, at the start of Ben Nevis footpath. The West Highland Way passes close by. Our 19th century farmhouse has a friendly atmosphere, modern comfort and traditional charm - plenty of walking from the front door. Open 28 April until 8th October. Two en-suite bedrooms - one double and one double/twin. Television in each bedroom and wifi throughout. A lounge and a large garden. The stone barn 50 metres away has been converted into a licensed restaurant (Ben Nevis Inn). Huntingtower Lodge Fort William Huntingtower Lodge (VS 4* Gold, GTBS Gold) is an eco-chic boutique B&B on the shores of Loch Linnhe, Fort William. After a hard days walking and exploring why not treat yourself to a hot shower and a comfy seat with a spectacular loch view. Complimentary lifts in to Fort William. Private parking, free WI-FI, drying room and secure bike storage. Ashburn House Fort William Ashburn is an impressive Victorian villa located by the shore of Loch Linnhe, near the centre of Fort William.

We are open all year round and provide bed and breakfast with a difference to guests visiting Fort William. We are graded 5 Stars. If you are looking for excellent accommodation in Fort William - close to the town centre, with a friendly, personal service, look no further... we look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you to our Highland Guest House. Braeside House Fort William Paul & Aileen would like to offer you a warm welcome, and a clean and comfortable home away from home experience at Braeside House Bed & Breakfast in Fort William, the home of Ben Nevis. We offer 2 doubles (one of which can take 3 people using a guest bed) and a twin room, all of which are en-suite. Braeside House is set in an idyllic position, offering fantastic views over Loch Linnhe and the Ardgour Hills. The town centre is only a five minute walk where you can enjoy a variety of pubs, restaurants, shops and entertainment. With train & bus stations, outdoor pursuits, local walks, Aonach Mor Gondolas & Ski Range and Ben Nevis, you will never be short of things to see or do!

Ardlinnhe Guest House Fort William Pam and Ray Howat offer a traditional Highland Welcome to their home in Fort William. Situated on the romantic shores of Loch Linnhe, overlooking the Ardgour Hills, only a 5 minute walk from the centre of Fort William. Open all year, except Christmas and New Year. Fort William is an excellent touring base and all year holiday destination. Two double en-suite rooms and one twin en-suite room. Two rooms overlook Loch Linnhe. All rooms have tv/dvd, hospitality tray, hairdryer, radio alarm. Secure parking and lockable storage for cycles and outdoor equipment. Torlundy House Torlundy near Fort William Stylish 4 Star B&B with king double, single and twin rooms, en-suite with TV/DVD, free WiFi. Comfortable lounge and breakfast room with magnificent views of Ben Nevis. Parking, secure cycle storage. Breakfast menu includes Full Scottish, Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs, buffet of cereals, fruits, yoghurt, juice, enough to set you up for a busy day. Peaceful rural location just 3 miles from Fort William and all facilities. An ideal base for walking and touring the area.

We look forward to welcoming you and recommend staying 2 nights or more. Torlinnhe Guest House Fort William Andy and Sue Keen would be delighted to welcome you to their stylish, contemporary and comfortable 4 star B&B set on the shores of Loch Linnhe, an easy 20 minute walk from the centre of Fort William. There are 6 rooms - Super King doubles, twins, a single and a triple room, all with en-suite shower rooms, digital TVs and DVDs. Free wi-fi, guest lounge, plenty of parking, drying room and cycle storage. Great breakfast options, including Breakfast to Go if you need a very early start to your day. Fassfern Guest House Fort William Situated 2/3 min walk from the town centre and at the end of the West Highland Way, our Victorian Villa offers spectacular views across Loch Linnhe towards the Ardgour hills. After a long day sit and relax in our beautiful garden and enjoy the wonderful views. All our comfortable rooms are en-suite. Taransay B&B Fort William Taransay Bed and Breakfast, Fort William is in a quiet cul-de-sac, in an elevated position, with spectacular views over Loch Linnhe and the Ardgour Hills.

You are assured a warm welcome. We are a pleasant lochside walk of 15 mins to town. We have 2 singles, a family and a twin room with en-suite / private bathrooms. We use local produce and are well positioned for walking - Cow Hill (walk from the B&B), Glen Nevis, Steall Falls, Ben Nevis are nearby! Glencoe a few miles away, Skye a day trip. Craig Nevis Guest House Fort William Craig Nevis is a family run business that has been running for over 20 years. Situated in the heart of Fort William within a 5 minute walk to the main street and the bus and train stations and right next door to the swimming and leisure centre. There are a variety of rooms - Single/Double/Twin and Disabled. All rooms come with flat screen televisions and tea and coffee making facilities. Off road car parking is available. Walkers and skiers are welcome. Thistle Cottage Torlundy Thistle Cottage is situated in a quiet rural location approximately 3 miles north of Fort William off the A82..

Upon arriving at the property you will receive a warm highland welcome from the owner, Morag who has been running the bed and breakfast from 1969. There is ample parking outside the property. The bedrooms are spacious comfortable and cosy. The house is family friendly and pet friendly..The backdrop of the property consists of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. Glentower Lower Observatory Fort William Glentower Lower Observatory.we hope to welcome visitors from all walks of life and from all over the world. Our house is the perfect base to explore the West Highlands and beyond, whether you are visiting for business or pleasure..We offer luxury bed and breakfast accommodation with a range of rooms to suit most visitors requirements. Breakfast is served in our dining room which looks out onto Loch Linnhe and our rear secluded garden. A good breakfast is important to start your day well. Bank Street Lodge Fort William Two minutes from Fort William town centre.

Convenient for access to all major tourist attractions in the Highland area..Family run,friendly accommodation..Ideally based to explore the Scottish Highlands,Bank Street Lodge is only four years old and all rooms are modern and in excellent order.You have the opportunity to discover many of the visitor attractions that are located in the Fort William area. How to get to Nevis Range | Transport by bus, train, bike or car Home > Plan Your Trip > How to get here How to get here Nevis Range is 7 miles north of Fort William in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The resort sits on the mountain of Aonach Mor, the eighth highest peak in Britain, just 2 peaks from Ben Nevis. If you find any information on this page that is inaccurate, we'd be grateful if you could please let us know on 01397 705825 or marketing@nevisrange.co.uk . Thanks. Location Map From Fort William to Nevis Range Cycle or on foot - you can cycle or walk to Nevis Range along the pathway which follows the A82, signpost to Inverness.

Once the pathway reaches Torlundy, it turns to the right, away from the A82 and goes through Leanachan forest to Nevis Range By bus - The number 41 bus service operates between Nevis Range, Fort William and Spean Bridge. For times browse the timetable or call Stagecoach on 01463 239292. This service does not operate during the Nevis Range maintenance period, from mid November to mid December. By car - Nevis Range is located 7 miles north of Fort William, on the A82 to Inverness. It is well signposted, and the access road to Nevis Range is a wide, good quality road; if you turn into a track, then you are on the wrong road. Our postcode is PH33 6SQ, however this is a new postcode, so please be aware that it takes time for all the Sat Navs to account for this new information. The old postcode directed Sat Nav users to a small car park in Leanachan forest, causing considerable confusion! If you are driving, we recommend watching our for the traditional brown tourist signposting.

By Taxi - There's a taxi rank behind Morrisons and near to Tesco's on the main High Street in Fort William. Several private taxi firms also operate in the area including AAA Greyhound, 01397 705050 / Budget Taxis, 01397 703335 / Criost Taxis, 01397 313233 / Speeders Cabs, 01397 704000 / Nevis Taxi’s, 01397 703000 / Caol Cabs, 01397 702525 / Alistair’s Taxis, 01855 811136 (can take bikes) / Woody's Taxis, 01397 701066. From Inverness to Nevis Range By car - Nevis Range is 64 miles south of Inverness on the A82 signposted to Fort WIlliam. After you pass through the village of Spean Bridge, Nevis Range is clearly signposted, 5 miles on your left.

Getting to Fort William By bus - Both Scottish CityLink and National Express operate regular coach services to Fort William. Call Scottish CityLink on 08705 505050 for Scottish routes and National Express on 08717 818181 for all other UK routes. By train - The nearest station is Fort William train station, with daily services to Glasgow, which connect Fort William with Aberdeen, Edinburgh and all other major UK cities. By sleeper train - The Caledonian Sleeper operates from London Euston to Fort William. Call National Rail Services on 08457 484950. By car - Fort William is 2.5 hours north of Glasgow and 1.5 hours south of Inverness, along the A82. For those travelling from the east there are several routes off the A9, which can be taken, including from Perth and Aviemore. Nevis Range is situated 7 miles north of Fort William on the A82 to Inverness. By foot - the West Highland Way links Milngavie just outside Glasgow to Fort William.

The 95 mile walk takes you from the outskirts of Scotland's largest city to the foot of its highest mountain, following the shores of its largest freshwater loch. Getting to the Highlands By plane - a number of airlines operate routes directly into Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports, from the rest of the UK and Europe. By boat - Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries service 22 islands and 4 peninsulas that are situated off the West Coast of Scotland. It is possible to travel from the majority of these islands to the mainland into the ports of Mallaig or Oban, from there you can use the bus, train or road links to Fort William. Information from CalMac on 01475 650100.

Question: Which is the nearest town to Ben Nevis?
Answer: Fort William