Ben Nevis and the Càrn Mòr Dearg arête

From Fort William, the A82 travels northwards. Around 1 mile on this, a sign points to Torlundy.

Follow this narrow road past an industrial estate to a hump-back bridge with traffic lights.

Over the brige, turn immediately right and drive along a rough forestry track (beware the pot-holes) to the North Face car-park. There is a charge to park here (£3 as of 2025).

From the car-park follow the signs for Ben Nevis.

Initially you'll be on a forestry track, then this will be left for a well maintained path through forests. The forests occasionally clear giving fine views, where benches have been installed.

You'll get to the edge of the forestry and to another higher car-park (for Mountain Rescue and other authorised users). Over a stile, a well constructed path follows the Allt a'Mhuilinn.

After around just under 1km on this path, a small cairn marks the departure point to aim for Càrn Mòr Dearg. This begins with slog uphill on marshy ground following a faint trod. Ground underfoot improves as height is gained and the trod becomes a slightly more obvious path.

The path keeps to the west of the crest of Càrn Beag Dearg (you'll need to detour if you want to reach this minor summit) and loose red granite screes are met as Càrn Dearg Meadhonach is approached.

Beyond Càrn Dearg Meadhonach, stick to the wide crest of the ridge and the route to Càrn Mòr Dearg is obvious, though narrows near the summit and some rocky-blocks need negotiated. A small cairn sits on this excellent vantage point from where Ben Nevis which looks massive.

Leaving Càrn Mòr Dearg's cairn behind, aim southwards on rocky ground following the narrow crest. A path meanders a route, sometimes keeping to the west side of the crest to avoid any difficulties. As ground levels out, the route continues to stick to the crest, occasionally keeping to the east side to avoid exposure.

The lowest point on the ridge is reached and the route ahead looks a bit tougher as the red granite of Càrn Mòr Dearg is left. Uphill, the rock-scrambling is pretty easy keeping to the crest, but if windy, there are opt-out options on the south-east of the crest.

The ground begins to level and become easier. A large cairn is reached - this is where the top of the 'abseil posts' used to mark a route into Coire Leis. Ahead lies 1,000ft of ascent up fairly steep bouldery ground, through which a worn path can be traced most of the way. Higher up, the ground begins to level and some aluminium frames are seen - aim for these and the summit of Ben Nevis . comes into view. Ben Nevis's summit is a spectacular place to take in views - beware of edges above vast drops.

The next part of the route follows the Mountain Track and after the quiet routes up Càrn Mòr Dearg and over the arete, the likely crowds and bussle will come as a bit of a shock !

In mist, careful compass work is needed to avoid Gardyloo Gully - from the summit trig point walk on a bearing of for 231^o for 150m, then aim 282^o.

Follow the Mountain Track to the junction in the track above Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, the 'Halfway Lochan', then follow the northern-aiming branch. This comes to an abrupt end at the northern end of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe .

Follow the burn coming out of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe northwards downhill. The ground is fairly wet, though faint traces of paths and ATV tracks can be picked up.

The River Nevis will be met most likely by a fence that crosses it, just above which is a car-park for the emergency services and other essential users . If not in spate, the river should be easily crossed, but if in spate, you can walk a bit downstream to meet up with a bridge. After getting onto the other side of the River Nevis, a well constructed path twists and turns a route through foresty (with occasional clearings and viewpoints) down towards the North Face car-park.