119 Hotels near Ben Nevis, Fort William, UK. Book your hotel now! - Booking.com You have signed up successfully Shortly, you will receive news about top-rated hotels, irresistible deals and exciting destinations. You're done, you can close this window now. Thank you Your sign-up was successful! We will send you the latest news about our half-price deals. You can always manage your subscriptions by signing in to your account. You're done, you can close this window now. What guests said about Fort William: Anonymous Check with the visitors centre at the base of Ben Nevis what conditions are like, start walking if suitable weather and ask walkers on their return from the mountain of their experience, and remember weather can change at any time during the day for the better or worse, lucky for me it was for the better Check with the visitors centre at the base of Ben Nevis what conditions are like, start walking if suitable weather and ask walkers on their return from the mountain of their experience, and remember weather can change at any time during the day for the better or worse, lucky for me it was for the better.

Anonymous Visited loch ness at Fort Augustu and Glefinon viaduct in heavy rain, but missed the cable car ride up Ben Nevis due to bad weather during our stay Visited loch ness at Fort Augustu and Glefinon viaduct in heavy rain, but missed the cable car ride up Ben Nevis due to bad weather during our stay Rose United Kingdom climbing Ben Nevis was the most beautiful and unforgettable day of my life especially walking pitch black without any torch or lights or seeking help from any Mountain Rescue Team,it took 3 hours to climb and took me 6 hours coming down because I injured my knee climbing Ben Nevis was the most beautiful and unforgettable day of my life especially walking pitch black without any torch or lights or seeking help from any Mountain Rescue Team,it took 3 hours to climb and took me 6 hours coming down because I injured my knee...that was pure hell but a very unforgettable moment of my life I just cant believe how I manage to reach down to my hotel in such pain and agony,thanks God I'm back home and preparing back to work next week Anonymous Ben Nevis climb, Steam Train to Malaig, and an easy return trip to Loch Ness Ben Nevis climb, Steam Train to Mala

ig, and an easy return trip to Loch Ness Karl United Kingdom early May, it has been great conditions for walking up Ben Nevis both times I have been to Fort William twice around the same time of year which was at end of April / early May, it has been great conditions for walking up Ben Nevis both times.

Starting at the tourist info centre car park it has been a very busy route both times but well worth the effort at the top. The first accent was into a blizzard at around 900m upwards but the second time was crystal clear Stunning and snow capped. For the last 20 mins to the top it was very very cold ( -5 plus another -5 wind chill) but back at the bottom it was around 14'C so don't be fooled. enjoy! Anonymous If going up Ben Nevis must have correct clothing and footwear and have a reasonable level of fitness as climb and descent can be gruelling for the first time climber If going up Ben Nevis must have correct clothing and footwear and have a reasonable level of fitness as climb and descent can be gruelling for the first time climber . Would not attempt in winter without a professional guide. We began our climb from the Ben Nevis Inn which is a good place to start your climb particularly if it's your first experience of a mountain climb. Popular hotels near Ben Nevis 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.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 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 – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Understand[ edit ] Cloud Inversion - North Walls of Carn Dearg and Castle Ridge (Ben Nevis). As the highest point in Great Britain , and the highest of the Munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000 ft), Ben Nevis is a hugely popular hill to climb.

It's 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level, and the start of the walk really begins right by the sea so you'll walk every foot of those 4,409. The Ben, as it's popularly known - is readily accessible via a man-made path which zig zags up its south westerly face. Most routes up the forbidding, north-east face of the mountain are only suitable for experienced scramblers and climbers, the main exception being Ledge Route , a grade 1, easy scramble suitable for competent hill walkers. Prepare[ edit ] Lower section of the tourist route Despite the path up the mountain being referred to as the "Tourist Route" - don't let its inauspicious name fool you. Climbing Ben Nevis should be regarded as a serious undertaking, regardless of the time of year and dozens of injuries and even deaths occur on the mountain due to ill-preparedness. Whilst Ben Nevis is nowhere near the hardest Munro to climb, it is among the more challenging due to the sheer relentlessness of the climb, and in particular the descent which can take its toll on ankles and joints.

Figure on taking 6–9 hours to make the round trip to the summit; bear this in mind during early spring and late summer when darkness can creep in surprisingly quickly. The key points to remember are as follows: Even during high summer, when the sheer amount of 'pedestrian traffic' on the mountain lessens the risk of getting dangerously lost on the notorious summit plateau, bad weather, mist and cloud cover can appear from seemingly nowhere and put you into a perilous situation. Don't take the weather conditions at sea level therefore, as an indicator of what it will be like near the summit. The temperature at the summit rarely exceeds ten degrees Celsius even in high summer and it can be extremely windy resulting in significant chill. Clothing is paramount Boots with decent ankle support are much better than sneakers/trainers; do take waterproofs (preferably wind resistant) and spare gloves. A significant minority of walkers use hiking sticks. If you don't have these items, they can be picked up relatively cheaply in Fort William. Take some food and plenty of water. Dehydration can set in quickly, and ideally it is best not to drink from streams or burns on the hill - sheep graze (and therefore urinate and defecate) in this area.

A map (an Ordnance Survey one is the best; they are available from most outdoor shops and tourist information centres) is highly recommended as it shows the exact route of the path. Don't rely on mobile phone coverage being available! Even the best network in the Highlands - Vodafone - gets patchy coverage once you are up into the hills. If you are attempting the path alone, or during quiet periods when there are few others around it is vital to inform others of your route and your expected arrival time - you can do this at the Youth Hostel or the Glen Nevis visitor centre. Just don't forget to report back in once you safely back down again! Get in[ edit ] Ben Nevis is on the outskirts of Fort William , which is reachable by road from Glasgow (105 miles) or Inverness (65 miles) via the A82. Fort William has a three times daily rail service from Glasgow, and an overnight rail service from London . There are also regular buses to Glasgow, Edinburgh to Inverness. The two usual starting points are from the end of the road at Achintee, or Glen Nevis visitor centre. Both are about 3 km (2 miles) from the centre of Fort William.

Of the two, the Achintee route is less steep to begin with (they merge pretty soon) and has some free parking spaces (this fills up early in the height of summer), while at Glen Nevis visitor centre there is more parking but you have to pay. The Stagecoach bus number 41 runs from Fort William to Glen Nevis, passing by the visitor centre. This bus also runs past Torlundy, for access to the North Face route. Walk[ edit ] The usual route is the Mountain Track, sometimes known as the Pony Track or Tourist Route. This runs from the end of the lane at Achintee in Glen Nevis (a steeper alternative begins at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel) and heads up in a series of zig-zags to the summit on a broad, well-constructed path. It's a relentless slog, much eroded by tens of thousands of people every year, though path repair work is occasionally undertaken by local volunteers.

The path heads steadily uphill, through a couple of small zig-zags, then curves left at a cleft in the hill before levelling out at Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, known as the Halfway Lochan (it's slightly before half-way but who cares, it's a morale boost). Then are the zig-zags proper, a series of eight switchbacks in the path, then a lengthy straight up the last slopes of the hill before veering left to the summit. A more challenging route is to ascend the adjacent Munro, Carn Mor Dearg (1,220 m, pronounced "karn mor jerrack"), then traverse the CMD arete to Ben Nevis proper. Most Munro guidebooks recommend this route but it is longer, more arduous, and only advised to experienced walkers or very early risers. NOTE: If present, snow naturally forms large overhangs (cornices) beyond the true edge of cliffs. Cornice at the top of Tower Gully At this altitude the temperature is considerably lower than in the valley where you start out, plus you need to factor in for some wind chill, meaning that you need warm clothing.

Even at the height of summer daytime temperatures at the summit can be close to freezing and patches of snow often persist into late season. Fresh snow can fall in September. You're unlikely to get lost until you reach the summit plateau. A direct walk across the summit to the cairn would send you tumbling down a gully, which becomes a hazard when filled with corniced snow which may look safe to walk upon. Overshoot the summit or lose your bearings in snow and you may fall off the mountain, such as down the dramatically named Five Fingered Gully. These issues don't sound too much of a problem until you realise that even in summer the summit is fogbound more than half the time. A recognised arrangement of cairns (that is, tall piles of stones) along the plateau mark the "safe" route to the summit, but are really there for the benefit of winter visitors when the path is covered with snow. Summer walkers in cloud should ignore the cairns and keep to the path.

(A free guidesheet to the summit plateau is available in Fort William; it includes a small map reproduced here .) There is a small survival shelter on the summit, known as the Snoopy Hut, built on the ruins of the old observatory to avoid it becoming snowbound. If you use it, please close the door when you leave. Many visitors arrive as part of a Three Peaks Challenge event, particularly in the middle of summer when there's plenty of daylight. This involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales, and can cause chaos. Charity organisers are asked to follow a code of practice, which limits group sizes, access hours, timed challenges, etc. The biggest risk if you're a participant is breaking your ankle if you're running downhill - which also helps erode the paths in a scenic area! Cope[ edit ] There's a distinct lack of toilets on the route, or even handy pathside bushes. On descent your first toilets are at the Ben Nevis Inn, at Achintee, but they're only open during pub hours. At Glen Nevis visitor centre there are also toilets.

The only slightly private spot during the walk is by the Halfway Lochan, 100 m down a spur path to the north from the route, where a large rock affords you a little privacy. But it gets pretty gross back there. Go next[ edit ] Walk a long distance path: The West Highland Way starts or finishes at Fort William, running 154 km to Milngavie, near Glasgow The Great Glen Way also starts or finishes in Fort William, going 127 km to Inverness Climb some more of the Munros - hills over 3000 feet (914 m) in Scotland. There are 282 listed Munros, as well as 227 subsidiary tops. Though not as high as Ben Nevis, many of the hills are interesting in their own way, - maybe more scenic and more of a challenge to climb. This itinerary to Ben Nevis is a usable article. It explains how to get there and touches on all the major points along the way. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page .

Fort William & Glen Nevis Tourist Information - Things to Do in Fort William - Maps Explore > Fort William & Glen Nevis Fort William & Glen Nevis Fort William nestles between Loch Linnhe and the steep slopes of Ben Nevis Fort William is the main town in Lochaber, providing the bulk of accommodation and services for the area. Things to do in Fort William are certainly not thin on the ground, with activities aplenty for visitors. Glen Nevis and the start of the Ben Nevis path are only 5 minutes away from the centre of town, allowing you to explore this famous and picturesque glen from your Fort William and Glen Nevis accommodation . From the magnificent Steall falls at the head of Glen Nevis to the ancient vitrified fort on its side, there is a wealth of things to do. It goes without saying that the start of the Ben Nevis footpath is here, with the very good Glen Nevis visitor's centre at the bottom, providing practical information for those attempting the hill, alongside the fascinating history of the highest mountain in the UK.

Fort William provides the ideal base for a holiday - from here you can take a cruise to Seal Island, catch the steam train to Mallaig , taste the "Dew of Ben Nevis" whisky, and shop for that essential outdoor kit to name a few. The town boasts stunning views down Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil, and north up the Great Glen fault. It is dwarfed by the Nevis Range mountains with the ski area on Aonach Mor a short 10 minute drive away.There are also some great campsites and hostels in around Glen Nevis . You can search this website for more information on the best places to stay. Useful links 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. A walk up Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland A walk up Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland Tweet Ben Nevis Ben Nevis is the highest peak in Scotland, located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of Scotland, close to the town of Fort William. It's not just the highest peak in Scotland, it's also the highest peak in Britain and the highest peak in the U.K. Three in one! Its summit is at 1344 meters and you start the ascent at or very near sea level.

It's a full day's trek to the summit and back, or at least it is for me. From Achintee House, outside Fort William and at just 45 meters elevation, I took just over 4 hours to get to the summit and then 2.5 hours to get back down again. As Ed Viesturs has said, "Getting to the summit is optional. Getting back down is mandatory." Beware — when the Scots talk about "hill-walking", they refer to an activity that might be rather more vigorous than you expect. This isn't an easy stroll. Many people would call it mountain trekking. But it is a walk and not a climb. Ben Nevis is the anglicized form of the Scots Gaelic name Beinn Nibheis. Ben Nevis is joined to Carn Mòr Dearg by the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête. Both Ben Nevis and Carn Mòr Dearg are among the eight summits in Britain over 4000 feet (1219m). There are two subsidiary "tops" on Ben Nevis, both of them very confusingly named Carn Dearg (Red Hill).

The higher at 1221 meters is north-west of the summit, and obscures the actual summit from many locations. The lower peak at 1020 is to the south-west of the summit. Meall an t-Suidhe, at 711 meters, lies to the north of Ben Nevis and is joined to it by a saddle containing Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. These clustered peaks are the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano from Scotland's volcanic remote past, shaped by glaciation. The volcano was formed in the Devonian era, and came to a violent end in the Carboniferous period around 350 million years ago. Near the summit you find light color granite which had formed several kilometers below the surface side-by-side with the dark basaltic lava that only forms on the surface. This shows that the volcano collapsed in an explosion like that of Thera in the 2nd millennium BC or Krakatoa in 1883. The remaining peaks were then heavily reshaped by glaciation. Location of Ben Nevis, in Scotland. The first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis was in 1771.

It was only in 1847 that the Ordnance Survey confirmed that Ben Nevis was the highest mountain in Britain and Ireland. Now some 100,000 people make the ascent each year. The UK uses a unique National Grid Reference System, and you need to understand how it works to benefit from the Ordnance Survey maps. See my page for an explanation if needed. The first picture here shows Ben Nevis at the right, in shadow. To its left is Meall an t-Suidhe, in sunlight. This picture was taken in early April. The snow line was at about 300 meters, so the upper kilometer of elevation was in snow then. The snow was about a meter deep at the summit. Enough people do the walk that there's a distinct path tramped down, but there would still be plenty of wading through snow. The western and southern flanks of Ben Nevis, seen here, rise 1,200 meters from Glen Coe in about two kilometers, making for the longest and steepest hill slope in Britain. The north face, behind Meall an t-Suidhe here, has 600-meter cliffs dropping to Coire Leis.

The entire south side of the mountain and the summit platform was all purchased by the John Muir Trust, a Scottish conservation charity. Meall an t-Suidhe, in sunlight at left, and Ben Nevis beyond it. The snow line is around 300 meters. Sunlight on the summit of Ben Nevis. The second picture above is a relatively uncommon view of Ben Nevis out of the clouds. The broad summit platform is actually in sunlight here, it's the brightly lit area visible over the broad humps. Carn Dearg, to its left, is a lower summit of Ben Nevis and appears to be higher because of perspective in this picture. As the Scots would jokingly ask, "What are those bright blue areas in the sky? Some unusual type of cloud?" The weather tends to be challenging. Ben Nevis is up in the northwestern Highlands, along the northwest coast of Scotland. This is where the weather coming off the north Atlantic first hits land. Daily weather measurements were taken at the summit observatory from 1883-1904, recording fog present on the summit almost 80% of the time between November and January, and 55% of the time in May and June.

The summit experiences 261 gales in an average year, and receives 4,350 millimeters of rainfall versus 2,050 mm in Fort William and just 580 mm in "rainy London". There is usually quite a temperature difference between the bottom and the top. Some times the cloud base comes down to about where the snow line is in this picture. Usually the summit is in cloud. Walking through snow in a cloud can be disorienting. And it doesn't make for very good pictures.... It will rain until you reach the elevation where the rain turns first to sleet and then to snow. A lot of wind gets funneled through the glens and then blows very strongly as it is forced over the mountains. This gives you the experience of being sprayed with rain and sleet from below. So, you should take multiple layers of clothing, including a waterproof outer layer. Wear sturdy boots as almost all of the ascent itself is along a rocky path. You walk on irregularly shaped rocks 20-30 cm in diameter. The climb is hard on ankles and knees. Take water and food, and adequate navigational gear.

GPS is wonderful for displaying your precise coordinates, but you need a good map and you need to know how to use it for those coordinates are to be of any use. See my description of the National Grid system for what that's about. A plain old compass is crucial, the top is fairly flat and featureless and you will probably be in clouds, so you need to make very certain that you don't fall off the cliffs along the northeast face. Start early to allow yourself plenty of time to get back down off the mountain. I'm not in great shape and I took my time. I made plenty of stops just to look at the fantastic views (at least until I entered the cloud base). The standard time reference point seems to be Achintee House, where the summit path starts angling up along the west flank of Meall an t-Suidhe. That's at NN 12582 72337, just 45m elevation. I took 4 hours to get from there to the summit, and then 2.5 hours to get back down again. Add in time to get to and from Achintee House from wherever you're staying.

The Glen Nevis area (1:250,000). Here is an overview — from Fort William at sea level along Loch Linnhe, east and south into Glen Nevis, up along the flank of Meall an t-Suidhe, turning northeast up Allt na h-Urchaire (Red Burn) onto a saddle overlooking Loch Meall an t-Suidhe, then up a series of switchbacks to the summit at 1344 meters. Ben Nevis looks like a big dome from Glen Nevis to its west and south, but there are very steep slopes and cliffs on its northeast face. The approach to the summit passes close to those. You definitely want the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey map . Book stores and other shops in Fort William sell them. Big book stores in Edinburgh have OS maps for all of Scotland, and even some in London sell OS maps for all of Britain.

I used the Explorer 392 map , titled "Ben Nevis & Fort William; The Mamores & The Grey Corries; Kinlochleven & Spean Bridge." I took the map but also carried a small sketch I had made showing the elevations and, more critically, the grid coordinates of the various path intersections and turns. I also had notes about various time estimates for remaining ascent and ascent and return from various points. This let me keep track of where I was on the switchbacks making up the final third of the path. You will probably be in the clouds at that point. It was handy to have a quick reference without trying to read a large map in the wind. Part One — Fort William to Allt na h-Urchaire (Red Burn) You walk out of Fort William to the east, crossing the Nevis Bridge and immediately turning right to follow the path along the northeast bank of the River Nevis. The path leaves the river and the road and passes through some sheep farms. Alternatively, you could follow the Glen Nevis road and cross the river on one of the footbridges before you pass Achintee House. Fort William and northern Glen Nevis (1:25,000).

Achintee House to Allt na h-Urchaire (Red Burn). Achintee House is reachable by footpath and footbridge from the main road into Glen Nevis, but the footpath you follow is east of the river, sharing the small access lane. Achintee House is at NN 12582 72337, 45m elevation. South of Achintee House the path angles to the southeast and slowly ascends along the west flank of Meall an t-Suidhe. The path is joined by a staircase-like path leading up from the hostel along the road (shown as a red triangle). That intersection is at NN 13313 72031, 185m. The pictures above are digital pictures of reasonable quality. These showing the ascent itself are from two years before, right before I bought a digital camera. They're scans of prints taken with a US$10 35mm camera Leaving Fort William, just beyond Nevis Bridge. Starting up the flank of Meall an t-Suidhe.

The path climbs steadily with a few small switchbacks as it goes counter-clockwise around the south end of Meall an t-Suidhe. Allt na h-Urchaire, or Red Burn, is a stream coming down the steep-sided valley out of the saddle between Meall an t-Suidhe and the southern Carn Dearg. The path climbs that valley with a large switchback leading to the saddle. Above is the view looking south through Glen Nevis from just above Achintee House. Great views, sunny and warm. That will eventually change. There are three metal footbridges along the lowest section of the path where it crosses burns or streams coming down off Meall an t-Suidhe. They're along the main path just above the intersection with the steep hostel path. The rain has started! Expect varying and inclement weather. You can see here what I meant about the trail being on irregularly shaped rocks. Crossing a footbridge in the rain. Wind-bent trees near Allt na h-Urchaire (Red Burn). In the pictures above we're coming around the south end of Meall an t-Suidhe, approaching Allt na h-Urchaire, or Red Burn.

The shape of the trees indicates the frequent wind. The wind is funneled through Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe between Carn Dearg and Ben Nevis to the south and Meall an t-Suidhe to the north. And then the weather will suddenly change. Rainbows need rain, of course. This is looking back down into Glen Nevis from the path along Allt na h-Urchaire. I got to here about an hour after passing Achintee House. The elevation is 435m. A rainbow over Glen Nevis, looking back from Allt na h-Urchaire (Red Burn) on Meall an t-Suidhe. Part Two — Up through Allt na h-Urchaire (Red Burn) past Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe This detail shows the rest of the ascent through Allt na h-Urchaire and to the path junction near Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. There is a large switchback with its top turnaround at 600m. Then you're up on the large open saddle between Meall an t-Suidhe and Carn Dearg, a lesser peak of Ben Nevis.

Crossing this saddle for close to a kilometer is the only place above Achintee House that the trail is on turf rather than rock. It's very dramatic with views across the high loch, of the surrounding mountains, and down into the valleys on either side. The three-way trail intersection up on the saddle is around NN 1472 7240, 645m. It took me 90 minutes to cover the 3.5 kilometers of trail from Achintee House to that intersection. Allt na h-Urchaire and Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. Part Three — Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe to the summit platform The Ben Nevis summit trail branches to the south and climbs, and from there it's another 5 kilometers and 699 meters of elevation gain to the summit. At this point you are just about half-way to the summit in elevation. Various trekking guides estimate the time required from here as 2 to 3 hours to ascend, and 3 to 5 hours to ascend and return to this point.

My times were right in the middle of those estimates, even including frequent breaks to take in the view and a lengthy stop to eat my lunch on the way up. As another time estimate, it took me four hours from the top of the hostel trail to the summit, and then 2.5 hours back down to there. The path crosses over two streams coming down off Ben Nevis and then starts going up switchbacks. The switchback turnarounds are at: 780m, 830m, 990, 1000m, 1050m, 1120m, 1150m, 1190m, and 1200m. The rain turned to sleet about 100m above the cloud base, and then turned to wet snow above that. The path up the Ben Nevis switchbacks. Coire na h-Urchaire comes down off Carn Dearg. The top half of the climb is the tougher by far. It's a constant climb with no view once you're in the clouds, and the worst of the switchbacks are the ones where you walk into the wind.

Here the path has left the Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe junction and crosses Coire na h-Urchaire, a stream coming down off Carn Dearg. The rain is back, and Carn Dearg disappears into the cloud base. And then it clears up and the sun comes out for a while! View of Loch Meall an t-Suidhe from the lower switchbacks. Here is the view back down to Loch Meall an t-Suidhe, a lake about 600m long on the saddle between Meall an t-Suidhe and Carn Dearg. This section of the climb had the best views, being about as high as you got before going into the clouds. If you had continued straight at the three-way intersection, the path leads to a mountain rescue hut under the north cliff faces of Ben Nevis. Then it follows the stream Allt a'Mhuilinn north and back toward the road east of Fort William. From a little higher you may have a nice view down through Allt na h-Urchaire to the lower part of the path, and beyond into Glen Nevis. View down through Allt na h-Urchaire to Glen Nevis.

View of Meall an t-Suidhe and Loch Meall an t-Suidhe from higher on the switchbacks. Here's a view from even higher, down onto Meall an t-Suidhe and Loch Meall an t-Suidhe. And, from a switchback turnaround point, a great view down into Glen Nevis. The River Nevis and the road into the glen are visible immediately below. Fort William is mostly hidden under Cow Hill, the clear-cut area just above the slope of Meall an t-Suidhe and just below Loch Linnhe. Loch Linnhe runs horizontally to the left, barely visible here, toward the sea. Loch Eil is more visible beyond Loch Linnhe. View from the Ben Nevis switchbacks of Glen Nevis, Loch Linnhe, and Loch Eil, with Fort William barely visible. Climbers disappear into the cloud base on the upper switchbacks. Then at some point you will probably enter the cloud base.... Staying on the path requires some attention, as the upper slopes are pretty bleak and covered with nothing but the red rocks of various jagged sizes.

Part Four — Across the summit platform At 1200m the trail splits at the ruins of an old weather observation station. A very dedicated researcher in the late 1800s used to climb up daily to take measurements! The last 500m along the path is mostly flat, skirting the edges of the cliffs. The cliff face runs west to east, the path follows that. At that point you may be in well-trod snow, making a distinct path. If the snow is fresh, be very careful! The wind blows the snow into large cornices overhanging the cliff face. If you walk toward the edge, you could drop through a cornice and fall out the bottom before you realized you were near the edge. There are dire warnings in Lonely Planet's Walking in Britain — "In poor visibility, don't lose sight of the summit cairn until you're ready to descend. [....] To descend you must retrace your steps. If the cloud is down then, from the trig point, walk for 150 meters on a grid bearing of 231 degrees, then follow a grid bearing of 281 degrees.

This should take you safely off the plateau and on to the path. Remember to allow for magnetic variation. If you don't know what that means, you shouldn't be up here." The Ben Nevis summit platform. As you near the summit you pass the ruins of a maniacal hotel someone built on the summit. They didn't get much business. Also a stone war monument, which required the hauling of carved stone marker panels and mortar. And finally, the survey point at the summit! NN 1668 7128, 1344m elevation. Most people making it to that point were wet, cold, and tired, so you get someone to snap a murky picture and you head back down. At the Ben Nevis summit! The view from here on the rare clear day is said to be fantastic. Ideally, you can see out beyond 190 kilometers, to Lochnagar, Ben Lomond, Barra Head, and even Knocklayd in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Still on my to-do list: take the path to the saddle, then continue north and then west instead of turning onto the summit path.

The path would lead under the north cliff faces of Ben Nevis and cross the stream Allt a'Mhuilinn. Then ascend Carn Dearg Meadhonach, and follow the ridgeline from there to Carn Mòr Dearg, and from there along the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête to summit Ben Nevis from the other side. It would take the right weather to do that, and for it to be worthwhile. I've been told that September and maybe early October would be the right time — the snow would be at a minimum and the weather would be as good as it gets. West Coast Mountain Guides have information on Ben Nevis and other peaks. Some travel guides like Lonely Planet's Walking in Britain make a big deal about there being more deaths annually on Ben Nevis than on Mount Everest, at least in some years. Handy tables of deaths on Ben Nevis don't seem to be out there, but here is one for Everest. Anecdotally, there were 41 rescues and four fatalities on Ben Nevis in 1999, and 13 fatalities between 1990 and 1995 (eight of those due to falls while rock climbing).

It is made more dangerous by the broad summit area being roughly kidney-shaped and surrounded by cliffs on three sides. Careful navigation is required to get down from the summit. Logistics Fort William Backpackers There is plenty of accommodation in Fort William. I stayed at the Fort William Backpackers hostel, in the eastern part of Fort William. Fort William also has plenty of places to get food. Pubs, a variety of restaurants, and the supermarket near the train station is a good place to pick up supplies for day treks. You can get there on the West Highland Railway out of Glasgow, with a few trains each direction every day. Bus service is more frequent. Fort William Backpackers can tell you about a minibus route running around Scotland and also stopping at hostels in Edinburgh, Pitlochry, Inverness, Skye, and Oban. You can buy a hop-on, hop-off ticket that takes you around the whole circuit. There's a Ben Nevis webcam so you can see how cloudy it is from the comfort of your home. The webcam is run by the Fort William tourist bureau . Scotland and Orkney

Question: What is the nearest large town to Ben Nevis
Answer: Fort William