Ben Nevis by the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête
The finest way up Britain's highest mountain: round the Allt a' Mhuilinn and along a narrow granite arête.
- Distance
- 23.6 km
- Ascent
- 1970 m
- Time
- 9–12 h
- Grade
- Hard
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 1345 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Ben Nevis by the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête is a hard 23.6 km circular walk with 1,970 m of ascent, taking 9 to 12 hours. It starts at Ben Nevis North Face car park, Torlundy (grid reference NN 149 766). It climbs 2 listed hills, the highest Ben Nevis at 1,345 m.
This is the classic mountaineers' route up Ben Nevis, far quieter and more dramatic than the Mountain Track. It climbs from the North Face car park up the Allt a' Mhuilinn, beneath the great cliffs of the north face, then onto Carn Mòr Dearg.
From Carn Mòr Dearg, the arête curves round the head of Coire Leis: narrow and exposed, with easy scrambling on big granite blocks. A steep boulder slope leads to the summit of Ben Nevis. The descent follows the Mountain Track to the Halfway Lochan before cutting back to the Allt a' Mhuilinn. In mist, leave the summit on a careful bearing: the cliffs of the north face and Five Finger Gully have caught out many walkers.
Route
-
1
The Allt a' Mhuilinn
Follow forest tracks and then the path up the Allt a' Mhuilinn below the north face.
-
2
Carn Mòr Dearg
Climb the slopes east onto Carn Mòr Dearg.
-
3
The arête
Follow the narrow arête round Coire Leis, then climb the boulder slope to the summit of Ben Nevis.
-
4
Down
Descend the Mountain Track to the Halfway Lochan, then cross back to the Allt a' Mhuilinn path and the car park.
Summits
1221 m
1345 m
“Possibly 'venomous mountain' or 'mountain with its head in the clouds'”
Other routes up these hills
Questions about this walk
- How long does Ben Nevis by the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête take?
- Most walkers take 9–12 hours for the 23.6 km route, which has 1,970 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Ben Nevis North Face car park, Torlundy (grid reference NN 149 766). Forestry car park at Torlundy, off the A82 north of Fort William.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded hard. Rough path up the Allt a' Mhuilinn; bouldery climb; a narrow, exposed arête with easy scrambling; the Mountain Track on the descent.
- Which hills does it climb?
- Ben Nevis (1345 m, Munro); Carn Mor Dearg (1221 m, Munro); Aonach Mor (1220 m, Munro).
- Can I take my dog?
- It isn't recommended for dogs. Before you go: The arête and summit are serious winter terrain. Check the Scottish Avalanche Information Service and the Mountain Weather Information Service.
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Walks nearby
All walks near Fort William
Carn Mor Dearg from Ben Nevis North Face car park
Ben Nevis North Face car park
14.6 km · 1210 m · 5.5–7.5 h
