Is the Tourist Path up Ben Nevis easier?

Q. Hi,

I am a very inexperienced hill walker. I have done Tinto Hill and the West Highland Way. I am 57 years old, and would like to climb Ben Nevis. Is there a tourist [easier] route? Am I being too ambitious? The summer of 2009 I hope.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Charles Duffy

A. We have just returned back from a brilliant holiday to Scotland which involved walking Ben Nevis. The first half of the path is not too bad, however, the path becomes a little steeper and looser underfoot the closer you get to the top. Much of the ascent was fine. The only difficult part we found was the ascent through the snow (nearly at the top) which was quite slippy and the descent which was tough going in places. My advice is to leave enough in the tank for the descent - it is much more difficult than you think and make sure you have warm clothing for the top (I couldnt believe how much snow was up there in June!) During the summer season there are a lot of walkers of all abilities and reaching the top becomes a bit of a group effort spurring each other on. It was a truly great experience and well worth the effort. Good luck!

Kay Woodhouse, Birmingham

A. i wondered same thing - i'm hopefully taking (dragging) my 12 old son up on 29th july!!

John Newton, Lancs

A. It is certainly an extremely rewarding challenge. I have been up it twice aged late 50's and at the time had only climbed one hill which wasn't quite a Munro. It is very rough underfoot in places but I met quite a few children who had been at the top and also dozens of dogs. The views at the summit were stunning the second trip. Saw nothing much first time due to the weather that is why I did it again. I would say difinately give it a go. You don't really have to get to the top if it proves too much. I think you will find it very worthwhile but try and do it on a good day. Even then it can be very foggy at the summit. Hope this helps.

Hazel Pyper, Perth

A. Sure - walk h100 Ben Nevis via The Tourist Path from Achintee, Fort William follows the 'Tourist Path' to the summit but it is far from easy - particularly if you are not very experienced.

It is called the Tourist Path only because it is the route most people take when they want to climb Ben Nevis - not because it is is easy in any way shape or form. It is not. It is over 8km to the summit via this tourist path, uphill all the way for 344m or 4411 feet. That's a vertical ascent of around 4/5ths of a mile!

Tinto Hill is (only!) 711m (2334 feet) and you do not have to start at sea level.

The West Highland Way has virtually no climbing at all - apart from The Devil's Staircase near Glencoe - and even then it is only about 250m.

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles, and there are 722 other mountains in Scotland (281 other Munros, 222 Corbetts and 219 Grahams), 180 Mountains in England and 136 Mountains in Wales - all of which are not as high. Why not pick something else a bit less challenging and work your way up (as it were)?

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

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