Climbing Ben Nevis - Scotland's Highest Point

Starting near Fort William in the Scottish Highlands I climb the Tourist Path to the top of Ben Nevis which, at 4,409ft, is the tallest mountain in both Scotland and the British Isles, and the UK as a whole.
I have a extremely clear day for climbing and am able to point out geological and historical features while on my trip.

[@Imnotsmg4bob]

I came here to tell you all that if you hear *"Hello There!"* coming from the mountain, I think the new name of the mountain will be much clearer.

[@vtboomer]

Good hiking videos are more than just pictures and music. I like the addition of geology and history, and narration during the climb. It's also nice to see the views in good weather, compared to our experience.

[@DanielStaniforth]

Yeah, I call those my "3rd person shots", I got the idea when I saw Alone Across Alaska video here on KZbin, they seem to give the video a sense of travel instead of doing stationery shots in a video about walking! I'm actually in two car parks in this video. Where I'm sat in the car is next to the Imperial Hotel in Fort William, and when you see me outside I'm parked on Achintee Road near the inn.

[@DanielStaniforth]

Thanks, I'm glad you've enjoyed some of my little hikes. The 3rd person shots do become a pain when I've got to walk back for the camera. I've forded rivers twice, walked through nettles twice etc. It's a good way of seeing the things I go through. Sometimes I feel a little self conscious doing it, especially the shot coming down Ben Nevis when I'd set up a tripod and all these other hikers were wondering what I was doing

[@drumsgemma83]

Great video, wish my trek up had been as clear as that. Went up in May 2011 and it was -20 and a blizzard! Took us 5 hours to get up and 4 hours back down. Never been so pleased to sit in the Ben Nevis Inn with a tea :-)

[@DanielStaniforth]

@Oddlepoodle Puke I'm glad you like the video. The video is approaching 60,000 views now, so I'm going to get a few dislikes here and there. I've had a few people want music on it, some people might not like history or geology and I've had a couple of Scots send abuse because I'm English. Overall I'm happy that the majority seem to like it, and still watch it 4 years later. I've thought about doing some more climbs in Scotland and I'm actually going to be doing some winter mountaineering in the Cairngorm mountains next month

[@DanielStaniforth]

Mike Fuller Ben Nevis is on the west coast of Scotland quite high up, Cairngorms National Park are east of there, they're great places if you ever get to visit. Scafell Pike is the highest point in England, but for the UK as a whole it's like the 45th highest peak or so. There are many points higher in Scotland and a couple in Wales higher. That is also if you're only counting peaks with some relative height between them. If you just go by highest peaks then England drops way down the list!

[@voicezful]

Mike Fuller what are you watching this video for? I feel embarrassed for you

[@ChipZilla69]

+Daniel Staniforth Great video and good mental strength to get through it while feeling unwell. I'm planning a trip in November but haven't decided which peak to do. My fitness isn't the best but I really want to get out there as I have good memories of walking some of these as a kid. Do you have any recommendations as to which peak I should go for? Could be Scotland or Wales.

[@anharchoudhury1771]

What s the easiest route up pal goin with first timers.

[@DanielStaniforth]

Make sure you've got maps and know your route in case the weather comes down, and carry all the clothes you'd need for any weather! Other than that have a great hike and I hope it's a great day for you!

[@markfromthefuture477]

I like that kind of Videos. I wish you the best.

[@Jarrehead]

Hi Daniel, Great vid as always. Was up there a few weeks ago, (Got it off my bucket list!!), and I couldn't believe there was still a good heavy blanket of snow at the summit !! Glad mind, as had run out of water, and used it in my water bottle, to re-hydrate... 23 degrees plus at ground level.. A magnificent part of the Scottish isles, a beautiful scenic view, and a very respected mountain to climb.... Keep up the vids.... ATB. Si.

[@DrewDevine]

Brilliant, I'm heading up there tomorrow. This has given me a wee boost. Cheers!

[@mayito9700]

Nice

[@capaldi38]

My partner and I climbed Ben Nevis yesterday WOW after ben lomand and the 3 peaks in the Brecon Beacons, Big Ben was a monster, that feeling of never seeing the top and then bang there it is, its was very tough coming down which is always the worst part and when most of the injuries happen, well done to all of you who have scaled this beast, cup o tea and a fry up for us now. :)

[@anharchoudhury1771]

Is it safe enogh to climb for first timers

[@GeorgiaKev]

I climbed Ben Nevis in the late '80s. It was a very tiring day and my legs were sore as ever the next day, but I'm glad I did it. It was a good experience.

[@mozdickson]

10 years after, congratulations Daniel you made a big challenge look relatively easy. Well done.

[@DanielStaniforth]

I wear pretty standard layers for hiking in; in winter my layers are a base layer, t-shirt layer, small fleece, larger fleece, waterproofs. I can removed layers as needed. This is the standard stuff I used on the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail hike I did. I spent the night in the Best Western Imperial Hotel as there was a carpark nearby, but there are other places to stay like campsites and a Youth Hostel, though I don't know what months of the year they stay open to. Good luck with your hike!

[@peterlewis3540]

Superb video, which really gave the walker some idea of what climbing the highest mountain in Britain is like. You were certainly lucky with the weather, but depending on the time of year, its a longish walk not beyond the capabilities of most fit walkers. I will certainly give it a go sometime.

[@struand8881]

great vid mate. hoping to do ben nevis in the next few weeks, it was good to watch this beforehand.

[@CannyGoaBike]

That was a great video Daniel. I really enjoyed it - I think you captured the place greatly. You may not have intended it when you did the hike but you have inspired people to get up off their a=se3 and do something similar. I didn't envy your drive south at the end though. Good luck to you mate. Nice one. :)

[@SummitOrNothing]

Brilliant video there Daniel. We aim to get up Ben Nevis at some point in the coming year, and hopefully we will have the weather you did too. I hope you dont mind if we share your video to a playlist on our channel of 'great hiking / climbing videos from other youtubers'.

[@Lennymcgra]

Excellent Video mate, looked like an excellent day

[@alanbowman6194]

Great account of your day, and perfect weather. Myself and my daughter are hitting the trail on the 10th. wish us luck.

[@FloNoTrail]

HA! Just climbed OUR Ben Nevis (in Tasmania) - checked out your video to see if there were any similarities. Great stuff!

[@wobblydangly]

Amazing video and just the right length

[@MrRushy1970]

Nice Vid that Dan. I did it last Fri. Stayed just behind the Ben Nevis Inn so I was on the Mountain Path at 04.50am and back down for 12 noon (inclusive of stops) I do a lot of hiking in the Welsh hills and have done Snowdon 10 times as well as Scafell, Helvellyn etc and I found this tough-ish due to the longevity of it (and that I decided to carry a 30lb rucksack) ! I'm guessing that the Ben Nevis Inn isn't that high up, so you're virtually starting from sea level. Try Crib Goch in Snodonia

[@oodlepoodlepuke3043]

How could anyone down vote this? It's got absolutely stunning imagery and great commentary with very clear audio. Bah, some people... Cheers Daniel, great stuff. You know what would be cool? Perhaps you becoming a Munro Bagger and posting all the videos here.... Just a thought. 🌁

[@WatsonPlaysGames]

I am climbing Red Pike in the Lake District tomorrow, have you climbed it, if you possibly have, is it difficult to conquer? Oh, good mountain videos, I hope to be a mountain climber when I grow up, keep up the great videos!

[@Avalon041167]

Great video - 4 years since I was last up there - been up twice but first time turned back on summit approach due to high winds and poor visibility. Went back a month later and completed the task. Experienced a cloud inversion too which was fantastic. This walk started our career in walking which is now becoming established mainly in the Lake District

[@tsnswimming7119]

Just looked up what a could inversion and wow that’s beautiful. Cool you got to see one in person!

[@Lima547]

Thanks for the video! I'm a Brazilian PhD student in Newcastle planning to take friends with me up to Ben Nevis this Easter Holiday! This video was really useful dude! Thanks again!

[@DanielStaniforth]

This video was actually part of a series on the tallest peaks. I did one for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. I could have titled it as tallest in Britain or the UK, but since I'd already done England and Wales I opted for "Scotland" instead. If it was a stand alone I probably would have said Britain

[@MrFagins]

great day to climb, loved the video thanks, what equipment was used for the filming please, great vid thanks again

[@Ironbound95]

What a great video! thanks!

[@bobsilvercat4716]

Awesome video buddy. Stunning views. Very informative too. This is on my to do list hopefully this year (2018) sometime. And hoping for cracking weather like you had so I can do a wild camp next to that little body of water that just left of the path. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@patrickgibbons8381]

Fantastic video Daniel My friends and I will be climbing Ben Nevis in a couple of weeks from now You're video was enjoyable to watch and very informative 👍

[@TheDeno786]

Going in july 26 2019 thank you so much for the videos now i cant wait to step all over that mountain!!!!

[@DanielStaniforth]

Good luck, I hope you have a fantastic time

[@theosaurus]

Very nice, cheers mate!

[@StewartBrand85]

Great video. Can you walk the whole way or are there bits you have to climb with hands?

[@mozzmarket]

i climbed it during the heat wave a few weeks ago, made it to the lake then realised i had my dads car keys so had to go down! lol but was so nice having a dip in the lake in the boiling heat! :)

[@JulieJackson1]

I did the same route in July this year with my husband and adult son. Unfortunately, we weren't fit enough and decided to climb down just after the halfway point. We knew we could get to the top, but also knew that most accidents occur on the way down and didn't want to risk it. We are now in training to make another attempt next year. Nice vid by the way.

[@DanielStaniforth]

It really does depend on the route you take, I didn't think Ben Nevis was that tough of a climb, it was just fairly tall. I think Snowdon is probably easier, even though it is the taller. Scafell had a lot of loose rocks and scree underfoot which made it very difficult and I climbed Scafell via a very indirect route. Snowdon is a pleasant gradual climb when I did it via the Miner's Track. If you feel inclined I'd do both Snowdon and Scafell, they're both worth it!

[@evilscotsman495]

Daniel Staniforth Snowden is not taller.

[@patbridge9801]

Thanks Daniel, I'm climbing this 17 September 2017 for Marie Curie. Never done anything like this before in my life! (I'm 52!) loved this video really interesting.

[@scotlandthroughthecamera4621]

Great channel! Subscribed ;) Can't believe how cold it was at sea level for late September! Ironically in Scotland late September can still be quite mid teens temperature wise. But yea great videos and explorer. Well edited.

[@44paggie]

Well done Daniel! I have been climbing week ago in Wales Snowdon the hardest part I could imagine Crib Goch! I also done the Pen'y Fan in South Wales I am planning Scotland next Ben Nevis. I hope I can do the 3 peaks this is all possible for me! Good luck with your hiking Daniel! 😀 great video! Warm regards from the Isle Of Wight! 😀

[@corrie2452]

them mountains over there mucker ,, are the grey corries !!!!

[@davesawyer6117]

Good video. I walked up the Ben back in 2013. Unfortunately very cloudy on the summit.

[@DanielStaniforth]

Not really, I just wanted to get up and down there as efficiently as possible. I wasn't feeling good in the days leading up to this and wasn't even sure if I was going to climb it at all

[@iamcalmorrison]

Hi Daniel, great video diary of your highest local hike. Me and my wife just went up Ben Nevis on Saturday there, my first time and her third, but a first for us both with a clear view from the top. I'll be uploading a video soon. We had time off work and decided to book a room at a nearby Inn and go up the hill in the rain. When it came to it the weather had changed and we got a great day for it. Anyway, great footage, amazing view and very informative. Glad you got all the way and enjoyed it!

[@DanielStaniforth]

Not really. I mean, I felt tired now and then and I'd sit down for breaks, but hiking up mountains aren't very hard, you just have to keep going

[@solorip]

Thanks for the video. Would you recommend this for children they have already done snowdon pyg track to the sumit and was ok with some supervision. We want to do this next summer. Whats your thoughts.

[@nighthawkawandrewwilkinson37]

great video mate I will be doing that in march , starting there and doing the three peaks but walking the hole 407 miles for help the heroes was good to watch see what im in for , think it will take a bit longer as im have 120bls on my back lol

[@charlesthrush9178]

I'll be attempting Ben Nevis in the summer of 2017! Cheers!

[@gamma_dablam]

Chartels Gd luck

[@liamcraven4936]

Good luck. It'll be worth it!

[@DanielStaniforth]

That's both in the written description of the video and I also actually say it in the video itself within the first minute

[@DonnyOutdoors]

Very good video. I hope to do this one sometime. It looks Great!

[@lesliekemp9088]

Great video Daniel , I just climbed Scafell Pike last week and you've really inspired me to have a go at the Ben cheers mate well done

[@DanielStaniforth]

I'm fairly sure someone will offer that service. It's actually not that hard of a mountain if you go the tourist route, I've done much worse. I'd just practice a few climbs and if you feel confident in your skills give it a go when the weather is good. If you pick a weekend there'll be lots of others going the same way

[@ScotlandsMountains]

Nice -long drive!

[@motoedd2437]

Great video..good camera work and nuggets of history of the Nevis,fantastic day to capture your hike..keep trekking and thank you..

[@DanielStaniforth]

I don't see any reason why a child couldn't make it if they've done the Pyg Track. There are a couple of deadly drops a couple of metres from the trail, but if they're supervised then then it's safe enough

[@DanielStaniforth]

It's pretty normal for the rest of the UK, like the Yorkshire Dales or the Peak District too. It's only a few hundred feet up unless there is a plantation there.

[@gourmet38]

I'm going up to climb next week so have watched a lot of videos to try and brace myself for the task ahead and this is the best video by far that I have watched, thanks so much for posting it!

[@DanielStaniforth]

Yes people have said this before. Within the first minute of the video I say that it is the highest point in Britain

[@LordHeath1972]

Brilliant. Well done mate. Just done Snowdon and will be doing Ben Nevis in 2017. Your video was very inspirational. Cheers.

[@jamesking3654]

LordHeath1972 how'd you get on?

[@NothingHumanisAlientoMe]

Excellent and informative vlog man.

[@DanielStaniforth]

There were no parts where hands were required via the route I took, it was just a gentle hike really

[@cathyrobinson918]

This video is as old as I am

[@adds3566]

you can walk up a path, it's easy........

[@MinerDudeProductionz]

Sheffield?! Woah that's far dude. How was the drive there? Any nice scenery or standard M6 style grass and farms.

[@DanielStaniforth]

It took a couple of hours to get home, I was back around midnight. I often cut across and head down the A1

[@paulmills79]

Good video chap! What footwear do you wear to walk mountains?

[@DanielStaniforth]

+paul mills I usually wear a decent set of hiking boots with good grips on them and I often buy a different kind of insole. If I'm doing a small walk I'll wear some hiking style trainers, but if I'm going over rocks where my ankles could be hurt I want some proper boots

[@chrisstarrs5120]

4:13 IT'S A LOCH HERE IN SCOTLAND!!! 😂

[@assessor10]

Hyper but hes not Scotish so its a lake.........

[@XxKINGatLIFExX]

Hey Daniel! Great video, I'm from Huddersfield. At the end you said you were from Sheffield. Did you think about catching the train to Ben Nevis?

[@DanielStaniforth]

+XxKINGatLIFExX I've taken the train hiking before, but as I was working a very tight schedule as I needed to be back at work for 8am the next morning, so a car was pretty much the only way for it to happen

[@XxKINGatLIFExX]

Daniel Staniforth Nice one thanks for the reply. Me and a few mates are hoping to summit this mountain in June. Have you got any tips or advice that may help us, we have limited experience in climbing. Thanks.

[@DanielStaniforth]

+XxKINGatLIFExX Despite the title of the video there isn't any "climbing" in the technical sense, rather just climbing as in "going up". If you are comfortable walking uphill for a few hours then that's all you'll need to do. If you're not comfortable map reading then I'd wait until a little later in the morning (I left around 6am) so that there is probably a steady stream of people to follow. My advice would be wear good socks and carry a spare pare, and make sure your boots fit comfortable! It's actually a really easy mountain to get up

[@XxKINGatLIFExX]

Daniel Staniforth Many Thanks Daniel. I wish you success in your future climbing expeditions.

[@niksgee3538]

Great video. The first I have ever seen Ben Nevis. Looked beautiful thank you.

[@jeremyrodriguez5923]

Is there route to follow? Me and my friends live in America and we are planning to visit. We are afraid of getting lost.

[@DanielStaniforth]

I can't remember what my camera was back then, but it was a 1080i Panasonic of some sort, I believe. I carry a very basic tripod, but I often just rest the camera on rocks and stuff while doing a 3rd person shot.

[@DanielStaniforth]

It's really impossible to say what the weather will be like on Ben Nevis at any time of year. I'd say just keep checking the whether beforehand and be prepared for anything

[@DanielStaniforth]

I just followed the path and checked paper maps occasionally. The car park was next to the Ben Nevis Inn on Achintee Road 56.8109484, -5.0714303

[@simotofoto]

great blog mate, climbed that path recently myself but took a lot longer than you:(

[@ivorbaker5092]

Great video. We're doing 3 Peaks in June so this was a nice little insight the Ben.

[@ThePuckington]

I just came back from snowdon, taking the watkins path up and the pyg track down. Heavy wind and a few close calls, but mind blowing. Now, my next stop is this mountain, how do you think the weather will fair during september this year, if anything is there somewhere you can find out.

[@GymRatJake]

Great vid just subscribed👍😀

[@Cushats]

Good video. Have climbed the Ben many times and the best route for a hiker is the Carn Mor Arete starting at the Distillery, come down the tourist route and round by the wee Lochan will take you back to the start.

[@Trent5281]

Thanks alot for this vid mate,my friend and I just recently got back from north wales after climbing mount snowdon.Our next challenge will be to climb ben nevis.This time we will take proper gear and try to get a little fit b4 hand as snowdon nearly killed us hehe thanks again

[@davidcharles2291]

thanks 4 video, both myself and partner regularly climb the brecon beacons and snowdon, y-llewdd and crib goch, and would love 2 do some of the monros in winter time but without doing the more difficult routes, we are both in our late 50.s,but think this looks doable, any comment would be appreciated

[@michaelcollins3357]

Hi Daniel, I just recently climbed Ben Nevis 2 weeks ago. Found it moderate, how would you say Ben Nevis compares in difficulty to scafell pike and snowdon... and reasons why as I plan on climbing one or the other.

[@gouryella101]

Well done dan, nice video, ya did well to drive back to Sheffield afterwards. Was up Fort William and the Highlands last week, would love to get back and climb Nevis :))

[@JulieJackson1]

It's nice to watch a video which is descriptive and informative. 4 of us are going up the 2nd week in September. We're hoping the weather is kind. Pleased to see the emergency shelter just in case. We're from Sheffield too.

[@Frankenbrine]

Hi Daniel, Great Video. I have climbed Ben Nevis 5 times but only once we had a perfectly clear day, like yours. I would love climb it again and have promised myself to climb it once a year. Thanks for sharing the video. :c)

[@tjmac7]

Thanks, my walking mate has dropped out due to not liking the cold. Nevis sport say you can hire crampons and i believe crampons may help when approaching the top. I think i will stick to the tourist track.

[@tjmac7]

Hows about the CMD arete, crampons in March or not?

[@scottharvey7640]

Hi Daniel, great vid by the way. The tourist route do you need a map or is the path that easy to follow im not to well up on map reading at the moment but would love to get to the top of Nevis

[@MrBoBoTom]

I winch looking at the shots with steep drops. Even just the youtube footage gives you the shakes.

[@garyagreen100]

thanks for that was up the ben many years ago and there was a total white out,apart from the raised hut ,which I think was yellow back then ,there wasn't much to see ,thanks

[@ambrosiadec3121]

Poor Dan! How can he be any clearer?! He's said it on the description and in the video itself! The British Isles IS Great Britain (it is GB and Republic of Ireland).....

[@zorb2000]

probably the hardest thing I ever did, drive for 8 hours through the night, climb to top, come back down and set up camp, I hadn't been to bed at 7pm since I was a kid!!

[@DanielStaniforth]

I've never done that route or hiked there in March, I really can't give you any advice on that, sorry!

[@RiderVSRoad]

Hi, do you have the coordinates or a link to that carpark where you started? Did you use a map/gps or can you just follow the path? I'm going there this weekend!

[@Whisky_Four-Three]

brilliant love this vid. glad you made it to the top and didn't miss out due to your cold. just imagine. we all would had missed out. thanks for sharing it cheers

[@scudosmyth784]

I have done it 3 times. 1st time only 15 and me and mate and decided to sleep on top overnight glorious clear sunny weather (no mishaps but wouldnt advise it) Now 65 and doubt if I would manage the climb. I believe `ben nevis` means cloud kissed mountain, your chances of a clear sky and panoramic view are slim. The record for an ascent and descent is under an hour, I think its an annual race.

[@AMBIENCE8209]

Enjoy. was just there yesterday on a 12 hr bus tour around the highlands the best experience ever hopefully the next time i go there will be to climb it.

[@tjmac7]

@MrCyclesafe - sometimes bits of kit (including bottles) become detached. It happens. Ben Nevis attracts its fair share of dick heads tho to be sure.

[@DanielStaniforth]

Yeah, Ben Nevis is quite a hike. There's no part of it that's actually too tough, but when you're walking up those switchbacks they feel like they'll never end!

[@imminicheddars]

Are you wearing a Snowdon 'I Climbed The Hard Way' t-shirt? I ask because I have one and it looks just like that colour-wise.

[@motoolecontractor]

Hi daniel , I'm thinking of starting recording my exploits for youtube , notice your recording is good both visually and audibly. Could you give me a pointer at what to buy and whether you are using inbuilt mic or add on .thanks martin

[@Douglasrobinson91]

Was wondering do they do like group climbs were you have a guide? Ive never climbed anything in my life so lacking the experience thanks

[@Dylanj-eg4fv]

Climbing Ben Nevis with the scouts for an everest challenge (climb Scottish mountains to reach the height of everest) cant wait