Page 141 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS  139

e Ben Nevis through the lush
landscape of Glen
Lochaber. 3 Fort William. @ Glen
Nevis. n Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, Glen Nevis may be more
Nevis (01397) 705922. Open summer: reward ing than
8:30am–6pm; spring and autumn: making an ascent,
9am–5:30pm; winter: 9am–3pm. 7 which will reveal little
more at the summit
With its summit in cloud for than a ruined observ­
about nine days out of ten, and atory and memorials
capable of develop ing blizzard testi fying to the
conditions at any time of the tragic deaths of
year, Britain’s high est mountain walkers and climbers.
is a mishmash of metamorphic North of Ben Nevis,
and volcanic rocks. The sheer the Nevis Range
northeastern face poses a tech­ Gondola gives
nical chal lenge to experienced access to a ski centre,
rock climbers. By contrast, thou­ restaurant and other
sands of visitors each year make Ben Nevis as seen from the northwest facilities, all situated
their way to the peak via a at 650 m (2,130 ft).
relatively gentle, but long and Ben Nevis Race. On one of the
stony, western path. Motorbikes, rare fine days, visitors who make  Nevis Range Gondola
even cars, have ascended via their way to the summit will be Off A82, Torlundy. Tel (01397) 705825.
this path, and runners pound up rewarded with breathtaking Open 10am–5pm daily (weather
and down it during the annual views. On a cloudy day, a walk permitting). ∑ nevisrange.co.uk

Climbing Ben Nevis
Tips for Walkers
The main path up Ben Nevis, called the Old Bridle Path, starts in Glen
Nevis. Numerous visitors each year are lulled into a false sense of security Starting Point 1: Visitor Centre.
by mild weather conditions in the Glen, occasionally with fatal results. You Starting Point 2: Achintee.
must wear stout footwear (not trainers) and take a hat, gloves and Starting Point 3: 400 m (440 yds)
enough layers of clothing to allow for sub­zero tempera tures at the top, beyond campsite (very limited
even on a summer day. Also take plenty of food and drink and an parking).
Ordnance Survey map and compass, because it is very easy to lose the Length: 16 km (10 miles); 6–8
path in cloudy or snowy conditions, especially when starting the descent. hours average for round trip.
Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Weather Information:
∑ mwis.org.uk
To Fort William Level: moderate difficulty on a
dry day with broken cloud, but
prone to rapid weather change;
extremely difficult in snow.
To northeast face
Achintee
House Loch Meall

Glen G L N
E
Nevis
House N
E
BEN NEVIS
V
I
1,345 m
S
J (4,411 ft)
Nevis Forest River Nevis
To Glen Nevis walk
Key 0 metres 1,000
Old Bridle Path 0 yards 1,000
Minor road
For additional map symbols see back flap

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