Ben Nevis Walk (Tourist Route) from Glen Nevis Vistor Centre – 15km ascent of the UK’s Highest Peak, near Fort William in the Lochaber Region

Region: Ben Nevis, Fort William, Lochaber, Scottish Highlands

Places To Stay: Fort William is your best base, with everything from hostels to hotels and mountain lodges. Try: Stay near Ben Nevis or browse more Scottish Highlands Accommodation.

Looking for more Scottish walks? Try Ben Macdui Circular, Buachaille Etive Mòr (coming soon), or The Cairngorm Plateau Traverse (coming soon).

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The Ben Nevis walk from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre is the classic route up the UK’s tallest mountain. Following the Mountain Track (also known as the Tourist Path), this 15km circular takes you from sea level at Glen Nevis to the summit at 1,345 metres. The path is well-maintained, but it’s still a serious mountain day with steep sections, exposure, and changeable weather.

Starting from Glen Nevis near Fort William, the track zigzags uphill across moorland before climbing past the Halfway Lochan. The upper section is more rugged and includes a boulder field and snow patches even into summer. The views from the top, if you’re lucky with the weather, stretch across Loch Linnhe, the Great Glen, and into the heart of the Highlands.

This is the most popular way to climb Ben Nevis, suitable for fit walkers with good gear. It’s not technical, but it’s long, steep, and exposed, so come prepared. It’s best tackled between late May and early October for clearer conditions.

Looking for Cheap Flights? Try the Skyscanner Flight Checker Below.

This is how I find my ‘Flight Tickets‘, I fly when the price suits my budget. Flying into Inverness, Glasgow or Edinburgh works best for Fort William.

Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link

• Start point: Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, Fort William (postcode: PH33 6ST)
• Google Maps link: Glen Nevis Visitor Centre
• Download the GPX file here for use on your GPS device or watch
• You can also view and follow this route on my Outdooractive profile

Hike Profile

• Distance: 9.3 miles / 15 km (circular)
• Duration: 6 – 8 hours
• Highest point: 1,345m / 4,413ft (Ben Nevis summit)
• Difficulty: Challenging – long, steep and exposed
• Route conditions: Well-marked mountain path, rocky near the top – boots, layers, and navigation gear essential

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Hike Description

Start your hike from Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and cross the bridge over the River Nevis. The trail immediately begins to rise, following a series of zigzags up into the hills. Early views back to Glen Nevis are impressive, giving you a real sense of scale as you climb.

After about 4km, you’ll reach the Halfway Lochan (Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe), a good spot for a breather. The next section becomes more exposed as you join the shoulder of the mountain. A rocky trail winds its way up through loose scree and boulders, which can be slippery in wet or icy conditions.

Near the summit, the path flattens slightly as you walk across the plateau to the ruined summit observatory. This is a good place to get your bearings and take photos at the trig point marking the highest point in Britain.

I love the fact that standing on the trig, for that moment, you are the highest point in Britain. On a clear day, you’ll see across to the Mamores, Cairngorms, and possibly even the Isle of Mull.

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The Video is a 3D walk through of this route; it will give you a unique sense of having walked through the route before you start.

I have created 3D Videos of my adventures and have shared them with the OutdoorActive community as well as my walking community.

Ben Nevis Walk (Tourist Route) - 3D Video

Descend the same way, taking care on the uneven sections. The total round trip is a demanding but rewarding journey, perfect for first-time Munro baggers or seasoned hikers ticking off a bucket list climb.

Ben Nevis (Tourist Route) Walk FAQs

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