How hard is it to climb Ben Nevis?
Not too hard, you can walk up it in a few hours. “In fine weather the ascent of Ben Nevis by the ‘mountain footpath’ from Achintee is a relatively straightforward day out. In poor weather, however, the ascent is a serious undertaking and it is all too easy to underestimate the difficulty of the conditions which may be encountered high up on the mountain. Finding your way across the extensive summit plateau can be extremely difficult and, in the poor visibility which often prevails, a high degree of skill with map and compass is essential. The “mountain footpath” from Achintee is the most frequented route with hundreds of walkers climbing to the top every year. The fastest times recorded for climbing to the top and returning are less than 1½ hours but don’t let this fool you into thinking that “The Ben” is an easy day out. Four hours up and three hours down is a respectable time – many take much longer.
