Tuši's blog: 16526

Scotland: Day 13 - Beinn Nibheis - Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis stands at 1345 meters above sea level, making it the tallest mountain in Scotland, the UK, and the British Isles. It's the remnant of a volcanic structure - a collapsed dome dating back around 350 million years. The summit is also the highest land in any direction for 739 kilometres. Today, Nada, Bronco and me hiked to its top.

Previous days of our trip to Scotland: Day 12 - 16525, Day 11 - 16524, Day 10 - 16523, Day 9 - 16522, Day 8 - 16521, Day 7 - 16520, Day 6 - 16519, Day 5 - 16518, Day 4 - 16517, Day 3 - 16516, Day 2 - 16515, Day 1 - 16514.

Morning start of the hike.

Crossing the River Nevis. During the Battle of Inverlochy (1645) many of Argyll's men were drowned as they tried to cross the river while fleeing from the Royalist forces.

Some notes for regular tourists.

The mountain is a popular destination, attracting an estimated 150000 visitors each year, with around three-quarters following the Mountain Track from Glen Nevis - just like we did.

Stoned track towards the first crossroad.

Although Ben Nevis never had a proper road to its summit, a stone-built Pony Track (today usually called the Mountain Track) was constructed in 1883 to serve the weather observatory.

This path allowed ponies to carry coal, food, and supplies up to the staff who lived and worked at the top. The track winds steadily from Glen Nevis and is wide enough in places to look almost like a rough road, but it was always intended for pack animals and walkers rather than carts or vehicles.

Even today, more than a century later, the Mountain Track remains the main route to the summit for around three-quarters of climbers. Hikers following it still tread the same zig-zagging route once used by supply ponies on their daily climb to one of the most remarkable workplaces in 19th-century Britain.

Halfway Lochan (also known as Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe) sits at about 570 metres above sea level, roughly halfway along the ascent from Glen Nevis.

So we simply continued on the upper half of the track.

Area around Halfway Lochan is still traditional sheep-grazing land.

The closer we got to the summit, the colder and foggier it became.

Last meters.

At the summit of Ben Nevis stands this simple memorial plaque — a quiet tribute to those who served and fell. Surrounded by stone and cloud, it reminds every climber that this mountain carries not only natural grandeur, but also human memory

Another highest mountain of the country has been conquered, Ben Nevis, 1345 m.

And finally the Sun at the top.

As we made our way back down, we passed many fellow hikers on their journey up.

View to Halfway Lochan and Meall an t-Suidhe.

Loch Linnhe and Fort William below us.

Nada needed some energy.

Bronco and Red Burn stream.

And after we crossed the River Nevis again, we were back in our "Base Camp" - Garmin Connect.

After the after hike ice-cream in Fort William, we were on our way to Glencoe National Nature Reserve Visitor Centre.

The Visitor Centre is thoughtfully integrated into the landscape, featuring a turf-roofed building that blends harmoniously with its surroundings.

The interior exhibition at the Glencoe Visitor Centre, titled Living on the Edge, offers an immersive and educational experience that delves into the rich history, geology, ecology, and mountaineering heritage of the Glencoe region.

The Turf and Creel House at the Glencoe Visitor Centre offers a vivid glimpse into 17th-century Highland life, meticulously reconstructed using traditional materials and techniques.