Summit Ben Nevis Challenge

Standing at an impressive 1,345m (4,413ft), hiking to the summit of Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis) is a challenging, awesome, and unforgettable experience.


Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 11 miles (17.7km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in 8-10 hours
Level: Active Plus (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here)
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

  • Lots of laughs and camaraderie with a group of fellow walkers.

  • Stunning views from the UK’s highest peak - what an experience!

  • A qualified Large Outdoors guide, navigating and ensuring everybody is walking safely, comfortably, and having a great time.

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Challenge yourself to reach the UK’s highest peak!

If you’re up for a challenge then walking to the top of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis), is a pretty good one to undertake. Ben Nevis, standing at 1,345m (4,413ft)), is on the west coast of Scotland, right in the heart of the Highlands. The views from the summit of ‘Big Ben’ are spectacular, from the hundreds of other summits visible from the top, right over to the Atlantic and the western isles.

Whether you’re considering taking on Ben Nevis as a bucket-list adventure; tackling the peak as a charity or corporate challenge walk; want to mark a milestone birthday; or just fancy an epic outdoorsy experience - Large Outdoors can provide a friendly, qualified guide and a group of fellow Ben Nevis-baggers to help you do just that!

Suggested Itinerary - Ben Nevis Challenge Walk

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!


Your Large Outdoors guide will meet you at 8am, at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre at the foot of Ben Nevis.

We start the approximately 11 mile (17.7km) long walk by striking out across the River Nevis, and quickly start the uphill journey. Gradually, we make our way up the rocky but clear trail that skirts the slopes of Meall an t-Suidhe. Views ahead will be of the spectacular wooded Glen Nevis, and before long we’ll be half-way, marked by the famous ‘half-way lochan’ of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe.

Beyond this point, the trail begins to zig-zag upwards, leaving much of the vegetation behind as we rise up to the summit plateau along the rocky path. Just at the point that your muscles are starting to make themselves known you’ll be boosted by glimpses of the summit and then, ta-dah, there it is, in all its glory!

On a clear day or through tantalising breaks in the clouds the views from the summit of Ben Nevis are jaw dropping. From the sight of the islands of the Hebrides and the ocean and across to the surrounding mountain peaks, the moment is quite humbling and deserves to be marked by sitting there eating a sarnie or two.

What’s more, you can gaze down the 700 metre North Face, one of the highest cliffs in the UK. The summit area was once the home to Britain’s highest building, a weather observatory that was built and manned by the Victorians – you can still see the ruins to this day.

After taking time to celebrate on the summit, we’ll begin the return journey, which will be down the same route. By this point you’ll be a bit giddy having done the hard uphill work. However, with steep descents still in the offing, and tiring limbs, you’ll be glad of the encouraging words from the Large Outdoors guide and distractions provided by the group’s discussions - which invariably veer towards what plate of food is going to be devoured that evening!

Most groups complete this walk in 8-10 hours.

Essential Information

Ben Nevis Challenge - Frequently Asked Questions:

Fancy this as your charity challenge?

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.