main route summary 
The Forestry Commission have improved the access to this munro from what was once a wet peat path that winded up through the heather, to what is now a wonderful well constructed path up to the slopes of An Cabar. But don't be fooled, although this is Inverness's 'Ben', the featureless whale-back summit plateau can catch out even the most experienced hillwalker when their guard and the mist is down. Due to this mountain's isolation the views are wonderful, but if you venture north from the summit and explore the minor tops you'll find even more interest with hidden lochans and windfarms.


main route outline       
Start from the new car-park, just to the south of the bridge on the A835 over the Allt Bhealaich Mhoir. Beware, the midges here can be savage !

The path from the car-park travels parallel to the road for a short distance to a new footbridge of the river. Cross the bridge, then turn right and start to climb on a well constructed path uphill. Progress is easy on this, with plenty opportunity to stop and take in the changing views as you ascend. A track is crossed and from here much of the forest has been felled. After around 2km, the track starts to level, the Forestry Commission land is exited and Scottish Natural Heritage managed land is entered. The path continues se for a bit, then turns ne to avoid the errosion on the peat left by the old path. It comes back on itself, then turns towards An Cabar, and stops to let the old erroded path take over. Now climbing e, this obvious path travels to the summit of An Cabar, where two small cairns sit, the second on the top's summit.

Leave An Cabar and head ne on an obvious worn path. If the mist is down, then it's easy to feel lost quite quickly, however continue in the right direction and you'll find a small cairn, then some fence-posts to follow to Ben Wyvis's summit, Glas Leathad Mor. In fine weather this is an excellent spot to spend some time taking in the wonderful views. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Cairngorms, Ben Nevis and up to Ben Mor Assynt.

Back in 1998, a group of us were going up to Ben Wyvis to accompany on of our mates on his last munros, only to find someone else was also doing exactly the same thing. So it was whiskey AND champagne at the trig-point. I wonder how many people leave this as their last munro ?

The easiest and probably best route back is to retrace your steps back, possibly skipping out the summit of An Cabar via a by-pass path that heads off right as you approach the cairn.


Other alternatives 
It is possible to come into Ben Wyvis from Dingwall, Strathpeffer or Evanton to the south and south-east. A bike would be handy as some of the distance is on cyclable tracks. Though not much longer than coming in from the west, particularly if top-bagging, these starting points have one main drawback in that you'll need OS Landranger Map 21 and 26 for the lower slopes and access. I've not personally gone in this way, but friends have and recommend their routes. If you need details, try the Pocket Mountains book "Northern Highlands" by Nick Williams.

wyvis and garve weblinks 
Get the local area weather forecast here
Relaxed friendly accommodation at The Old Manse north of Garve
Food and accommodation at the Inchbae Hotel or Aultguish Inn
The victorian spa town of Strathpeffer is worth visiting
Try some walks or bike-trails around Rogie Falls south of Garve 

alternatives
Take in Little Wyvis or stretch yourself and go in search of tops :

Little Wyvis and Ben Wyvis 
The deer farm to the south of Little Wyvis does not encourage hill walking over their land, but if you're taking in Ben Wyvis and don't have a bike or two cars between the party, it's best to start at Garbat anyway.

From the Ben Wyvis car-park head up to the end of the Forestry Commission land as described in the main route. Cross the Allt a'Bhealaich Mor, which can usually just be jumped, then head south up thick grass and heather. Reach the track, cross it and pick up a path to follow to the summit of Little Wyvis.

Return towards the bealach, then turn and head east over easy ground to Little Wyvis's ne top, Tom na Caillich. Keep roughly east, the crags marked on the map are easily avoided, then descend to the damp ground at the foot of An Cabar. Head directly up to An Cabar, then up to Ben Wyvis's trig point as described in the main route on the left.

Return back to An Cabar, then head w to pick up the main path to return to the Ben Wyvis car-park.

Total distance : 18km (11m), total ascent : 1300m (4,265ft)

Ben Wyvis and all its tops 
Glas Leathad Mor on Ben Wyvis doesn't take much effort on a fine day, so extend the day by staying high up, bagging the northern tops.

From the Ben Wyvis car-park near Garbat, head up to the summit trig point as described in the main route.

From the summit, head nne downhill on a path to the next bealach. Climb up to the 900 contour, then continue nne, by-passing Tom a'Choinnich. Follow the wide ridge ne, then e. The ground gets slightly bouldery as the rate of ascent increases. Climb up to the rise (at 900m), then head over pleasant terrain to Glas Leathad Beag at 928m. If you want an even better view over Loch Glas, head a bit further to Meall nan Bradan.

Return for 3km and head up Tom a'Choinnich. From the small cairn, turn right (nw) and head down a path through somme scree to Carn Gorm. Next head ese over ever thickening heather, to pick up a faint path following the burn into the forest. Pick up the forestry track to follow down to the road and back to the car-park.

Total distance : 26km (16m), total ascent : 1700m (5,600ft)