It’s simply not enough to be safe. / Source 10. 0 0 0. You probably won’t need it, but it’s a good idea just in case. Hide Search . At first, we found the path very easy, so easy we asked ourselves if we were doing the right mountain track. As I was travelling solo I decided to find a guide to help me in climbing Ben Nevis – thank goodness. From then on, you will need to build on your fitness with other workouts. Don't be fooled!, Ben Nevis is a hard climb for an average person just out for the climb. It will vary though depending on weather conditions, how many rest breaks you take etc. We made fast progress, over taking others in front and reaching the halfway point of the Red Burn and the Locahn Meall at 570m in just over an hour. The world record for going up and down Ben Nevis stands at 1 hour and 25 minutes, but please allow more time than that! Staying in Fort William and climbing Ben Nevis was the first thing we actually agreed on doing. There are toilets at the bottom at the visitor centre, at the car park & in the Ben Nevis Inn which is at the bottom of Ben Nevis. Your email address will not be published. Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation. It’s unlikely you’ll get lost (the path is very clear), but in case of thick fog/accidental wrong turns, having someone who can read a map is a good idea. Follow the advice contained here and you won’t go wrong, I promise. This trail is another long one, at around 8 hours to complete. As a rough guide we state the average person climbing via the mountain track, can do the climb in roughly 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, during the summer months. It is the tallest mountain across the British Isles, beating the next tallest, Ben Macdui, by around 100ft. In this type of climate, the temperature never reaches higher a higher average than 10 °C (50 °F) which means there aren’t any hot summers . You also have to pay for parking in the car park if I remember right, I’m sure it was £6. If you think this is just a little stroll in the countryside, you’re wrong. 9 years ago. The summit of Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Ben Nevis is located in the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William. Required fields are marked *. The night before so that you can relax and get a good night sleep and the night after because you will be exhausted. A classic meandering line, best climbed after a few dry days and with good visibility. I’ve written this Ben Nevis training guide to help you all prepare for your trip. Try not to stop at all. Additionally, you want to consume a lot of vegetables for the vitamin and mineral benefits. Ben Nevis, the highest of the three peaks at 1345 metres (4413 ft), has one main path, marked clearly on the OS Explorer 392 Map (on Amazon). Climbing Ben Nevis is relatively easy if you take the tourist footpath in summer. Electrolyte drinks (like Lucozade) are OK, but given the nature of your event I’d want a higher salt content. Full of confidence and exuberance it only took us an hour and eight minutes to climb the first two miles which took us to 1,068 feet (325 metres). And for good reason. The mistake a lot of people make is they cram in energy gel after gel during the walk. Ben Nevis was always something that was on our bucket list and something we had always aspired to do. How Long Does it Take to Climb Ben Nevis? The average person will be able to do the climb in around 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. However, if you decide to climb Ben Nevis via other routes, there are some discussions to have. Ben Nevis. Friday 29th April 2011, up at 4am, meet Craig 5am, no faff, coffee and head into the night. At Ben Nevis Guide, our walks usually last around 8 hours. Where is Ben Nevis, how tall is Ben Nevis & How do I get there. The Nevis Range Mountain Gondola is wheelchair accessible and offers panoramic views of Ben Nevis and the Great Glen. Orion Face. The climb is 5.4miles uphill therefore I would suggest climbing a few beginners hills & a few beginner Munros in advance. If you’ve got access to a treadmill, using that would be an ideal way to get the steps that you’ll need in. Mountains. The Long Climb VS 4c *** Ben Nevis The guide book says this is the longest vertical face climb in mainland Britain, of almost alpine stature. The normal time taken to climb to the top by the tourist path is three and a half to five hours - coming down is much faster, between one and a half to two and a half hours. There are a number of coaches from the bigger cities within Scotland that will set off from the day you want to go. Myself and my husband are planning on visiting Fort William as part of our 2 week trip to Scotland (in June / September, still undecided!) I wouldn’t suggest wearing anything you wouldn’t be comfortable in like jeans or cotton clothing as it draws heat from your body and absorbs moisture. You need to get your feet, ankles, calf muscles, Achilles and the muscles at the front of the shin (tibialis anterior) used to taking a lot of steps. In that case, make sure you are prepared regardless by taking your own. There are no cable cars on the route. Personally, I feel the walk down was lot tougher but just due to the number of rocky & slippery rocks. We’ll provide you with two nights of accommodation with breakfast included at a hostel in the heart of the Grampians. It’s the highest peak in the UK and the walk from base to summit and back is 10.5 miles, which will be well over 20,000 steps. If you’re doing a group trip it’ll be a bigger disaster because at least one person will have to look after you, so do yourself and your group a favour by giving it the respect it deserves and doing the correct training. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. If Wales is a little too far for you, you could try Kinder Scout in the Peak District. This is a standard exercise, helping with upper body strength and core strength. You don’t want to find out the hard way that your boots are too stiff. Your pre-walk nutrition strategy is to fuel for the day ahead. Check out the picture below for an idea of the fog – this was taken at the top of Scafell Pike a few years ago. It’s easy to see why, with stunning views extending out for miles, on a clear day you feel as if you can see half of Scotland stretched out in front of your eyes. Arrive the night before you attempt to complete the Climb Ben Nevis Challenge, and relax knowing that you won’t have far to go after the challenge is done. When I last climbed Ben Nevis (in June) it was 16 degrees at the bottom and -4 at the top. These where my first question when trying to research all about this mountain. Walk up Ben Nevis is an on-line guidebook for anyone wanting to walk or climb up Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in Great Britain (and obviously, Scotland). Stimulate circulation and blood flow and kick-start recovery. Ben Nevis is 1344meters. By the way, if you subscribe to the Hoyles Fitness mailing list you’ll receive a free eBook containing 101 Health and Fitness Tips, plus offers and news exclusive to Hoyles Fitness subscribers. If there is anything you can take from this post is that if you are going to climb Ben Nevis make sure you have hiking boots. It takes around 4 hours to climb to the top, and 3 hours to get down afterward. Ben Nevis; Long distance paths; Car-free walks; Types of camping; Wild camping; Taking the dog; Moving into winter; Find out more; Get equipped for hiking and walking. For a more accurate location use Latitude: 56°50'31.07"N Longitude: 5°2'35.02"W. I personally wouldn’t say the climb on Ben Nevis was hard, I have climbed harder hills due to the steady incline but it really just depends on your level of fitness and what you can tolerate. They’ve got to be strong enough to walk a long way and your back and core need to be strong enough to carry your bag as well. I hope this post will tell you everything you need to know about Ben Nevis. 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 from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain. With that in mind you really need to be wearing good quality, well-fitting. It’s a tough, relentless climb and there’s much more scree up there than the others, but it’s still great preparation for climbing Ben Nevis. This is for your legs, core and lower back…. Lv 7. As a rough guide we state the average person climbing via the mountain track, can do the climb in roughly 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, during the summer months. Ben Nevis although a well trodden trail still incurs several deaths a year. Actually, it was one of the top 5 things we wanted to complete before we were 30. Horse 04 Aug 2004. The morning of climbing ben nevis I was extremely nervous. At this point we felt it was probably a good time to stop and truly celebrate our … It’s long and it’s thorough, but Ben Nevis isn’t something to go into if you aren’t prepared. At least with the other two there are flatter sections. In my opinion Ben Nevis is more than twice as hard to climb than Snowdon. How things change. Ben Nevis is one of the best walks in the Highlands of Scotland, though it does suffer from being rather popular. Spread your water intake across 90 minutes or so, which means you’ll have time to hydrate fully and won’t have a load of water swishing around your stomach in one go. I’ve just got back from climbing Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK. It had been a difficult and slippery task going up and it was quickly dawning on us all that if you add downward momentum to ice, snow and rocks it adds a different dimension to the next 3 hours or so! Mount Snowdon in Wales has a cafe and toilets near the peak and the hiker moaned that Ben Nevis had nothing (Image: PA) "The climb basically went on for far too long … Taking the minerals the night before will give them plenty of time to be absorbed into your system. We reckon … It is part of the Grampian Mountains and Ben Nevis stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains. If you wear cheap socks they’ll rub away. Click her… Base your post-walk nutrition around a high protein intake from a good quality source such as meat, fish, eggs etc. The Healthy Winter - How To Avoid Winter Colds. Ben Nevis is located in Lochaber which is about 1.5miles away from Fort William. The Long Climb, Ben Nevis. But with crowds coming, unable to really see anything and the bitter cold we quickly ate our sandwiches and had a 10-minute break and headed back down the mountain. The best way to get to Ben Nevis is to drive there. 6 to 8 hours is a fair estimate. The first time that it became clear that Ben Nevis was actually the highest mountain on the British Isles was by the Ordnance Survey in 1845. Something with a strong grip, ankle support and able to keep your feet warm is highly recommended. As both a personal trainer and a bloke who has actually climbed the mountain (amongst many others), I’m in a good position to talk about what you need to be able to do in order to climb Ben Nevis. Starting The Climb of Ben Nevis. Start near the bottom of Minus One Gully and scramble up right for 60m until … Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain (if I haven’t already mentioned) and summit reaches 1,345metres (4,413ft) above sea level. Climb Ben Nevis Weekend. Depending on which route you take, the entire process of ascending and descending can take anywhere from 7 to 12 hours. We’ll provide you with two nights of accommodation with breakfast included at a hostel in the heart of the Grampians. Log in to reply to the answers Post; Hawkeye85 . You’re going to have uneven track underfoot and there will be loose stones. Sleep as long and as deeply as you can and if you have access to one, jump in a sauna. Something like salted peanuts or crisps would be perfect – high salt content and decent calorie numbers. Don't be fooled!, Ben Nevis is a hard climb for an average person just out for the climb. Ben Nevis has several different trails that can be taken, each trail will have a … A coupe of pairs of high quality sports socks should do you well. MyProtein Products Review - Brownies, Whipped Duo and Vitamins... To prevent this message from annoying you if you've already dismissed it; In the 90 minutes before the walk, aim for another 500ml. Spend the weekend in the Grampian Mountains. Run– set the treadmill to a speed of anywhere between 6 and 12, then run for as long as you can. It is 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. I’m going to separate your nutrition strategy into 4 areas…. How long does it take to climb Ben Nevis? For climbers and mountaineers the main attraction lies in the 600-metre (2,000 ft) high cliffs of the north face. This is a truly spectacular route incorporating two Munros. Dating back … (Then booze!). There’s a place for gels, but not too soon and not too frequently. It stands at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area. Arrive the night before you attempt to complete the Climb Ben Nevis Challenge, and relax knowing that you won’t have far to go after the challenge is done. Thinking of Climbing Ben Nevis but don’t know what to expect? Ben Nevis is not a nicely paved climb and it will take all your energy. Climb Ben Nevis from Glen Nevis View from Ben Nevis Mountain Path on a snowy day| Photo: Emily Woodhouse. My first Ben Nevis climb… 2009! Don't worry though! That’s fine, but you’re unlikely to run out of fuel too soon. The first man to climb Ben Nevis – Britain's highest peak Sponsored by. If you aren’t prepared you’ll ruin your trip. ), You’re walking up a mountain, not a nice, smooth track. Ben Nevis was once an active volcano. We both enjoy walking when on holiday though and both have decent walking boots, rucksacks and waterproofs etc. How long to climb Ben Nevis? … How Long does it take to climb Ben Nevis? A lot of this advice may be common sense, but it’s important to say anyway! Take: Food/spare. Another exercise for your core, legs and back. This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings. Among the highest cliffs in the United … Especially important is the replenishment of salts even when you feel fine – you’ll be in an environment where you’ll be getting colder the higher you go, so your body temperature will be reduced. It starts and finishes at the Glen Nevis Vistors Centre. Children seem to find the walks no problem at all, although it is probably best not to take children younger than 8 or 9 up the mountains. It was a steady incline around the out skirts of the mountain. After I sent him an email the owner Connor actually rang me and asked if I knew what I was … You could head over to N.Wales to Snowdon or down south slightly to Scarfell Pike. Here’s what I suggest…. This is what this article is about: helping you to choose a route, plan your trip, and reach the summit of Ben Nevis. How Long Will it Take to Climb Ben Nevis? The Ben Nevis training guide just wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t talk about nutrition though – it can literally make or break your chances of getting up the mountain successfully. The more times you can climb Snowdon, the better. To make sure that you don’t feel the way I did in the morning and to help you prepare for your hike. I would also suggest taking gloves, hats & full waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers and spare clothing like jumpers or fleeces to keep you warm at the top. What Are Bumper Plates? Don’t be lazy and don’t train for it. It will vary though depending on weather conditions, how many rest breaks you take etc. How long it takes to climb Ben Nevis really depends on how fit you are and how many breaks you take but a rough guide is it will take you around 3½ - 4½ hours to climb it via the Mountain Track in summer under reasonable weather conditions. Descending Ben Nevis in summer generally takes around 2½ hours to 3½ hours. Help-Crag Map. Very soon after the start of the trek we begin to climb, so make sure you have a good level of cardiovascular fitness. Glen Nevis Restaurant and Bar is another excellent choice, located in Glen Nevis between the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre and the Glen Nevis … On the best VS thread I tried to get some opinions on The Long Climb on Ben Nevis, I haven't done the route but have always had it on the list of things to do one summer on The Ben. Heading up into the clouds on the Ben Nevis walk. I’m only using them to get my point across. Ben Nevis Races Since 1895 there have been races up to the top of Ben Nevis - in the first recorded run the best time was 2 hours and 41 minutes. The fear of the unknown was correct, not knowing if we were walking off the mountain, or walking into someone else, I can happily say I was over the moon when we finally reached the top. For experienced, fit mountain walkers who do not mind easy scrambling but are not climbers, this is the finest way to climb Ben Nevis. A simple rule to live by in sports nutrition is this…, EAT FOR WHAT’S AHEAD OF YOU, NOT FOR WHAT YOU’VE DONE. Make your top later a thin waterproof one – you don’t need a thick waterproof jacket because your insulation will come from the layers. 2). My suggestion is your wear layers that you can take off/put on as and when your temperature changes. Ben Nevis. I know there’s a lot in this Ben Nevis training guide, but if you follow it you’ll be strong, fit and ready to go. But there are none in route. When you climb Ben Nevis, you will be shocked to see how many people are climbing with only one small bottle in hand. waterproofs (Ben Nevis is good at changing the weather, ust because it is warm below does not mean it … There are a few reasons for this…, In terms of locations, there are good training options in most parts of the country (although if you’re in the South East of the UK you’ll have to travel a fair bit!). A lot of people only make it half way. You’ve got to control the elements you can. While it does not reach the summit of Ben Nevis, it can be completed in four hours, while still providing some great views and a decent hike. This would mean it was only a short 30 minutes to our car -I say short it was probably the longest part of the trip. Just over 2 hours later we roll into the north face car park, bags on and head up the track. This is yet another scramble, this time climbing Ben Nevis via the Ledge Route on the North Face and up to Carn Dearg (1221) and along to the summit. Even though I have climbed over 15 hills, knowing that Ben Nevis was the biggest one in the UK, my tummy was going. Ben Nevis is the tallest peak in the UK, attracting hikers from all over the globe. The navigation is generally very easy and the weather conditions are just like Ben Nevis and Snowdon. So really it depends on yourself. Put 2-3 large mugs of dry oats and a handful of raisins into a Tupperware box. Take a 500ml bottle of quality apple juice (Coppella is decent) and pour the apple juice over the oats and raisins so you just cover them. For more detailed information, visit our blog post that discusses how long it takes to climb Ben Nevis in more detail. They’ve each got their own requirements, as I’ll explain in the Ben Nevis Training Guide. A 5-day program will take you on different climbs close to the star peak, Ben Nevis. Your email address will not be published. Learn how your comment data is processed. Walking is fundamental to getting up a mountain, hence it being part one in my Ben Nevis training guide! A classic meandering line, best climbed after a few dry days and with good visibility. With the steep stairs, zig-zagging our way up the mountain with views for miles keeping us going, the path was beginning to get damper and rocker then at 1,300m the views disappeared leaving us with nothing but fog & clouds. These where my first question when trying to research all about this mountain. Walking or Climbing Ben Nevis . AND WE DID IT. and I'm really keen to walk up Ben Nevis.I'm very fit but he isn't and I'm worried he might find it too tough. It’ll get you out of breath, but you’ll manage it. Follow the path, with the River Nevis on your right-hand side. Take a torch and some high-vis jackets. 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