{"id":21643,"date":"2022-12-02T07:55:05","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T06:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=130648"},"modified":"2022-12-02T12:43:24","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T11:43:24","slug":"ben-nevis-guide-weather-height-walks-climbs-and-places-to-stay","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/ben-nevis-guide-weather-height-walks-climbs-and-places-to-stay\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Nevis guide: weather, height, walks, climbs and places to stay"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Fergal MacErlean\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 02 December 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The \u2018malicious mountain\u2019, the \u2018venomous mountain\u2019 the \u2018mountain with its head in the clouds\u2019 \u2013 Britain\u2019s tallest peak has a number of epithets, alluding to its potentially hazardous nature, but those who come prepared will be rewarded with some of the greatest views in the country.<\/p>\n

As the highest of Britain\u2019s mountains<\/a>, it holds a magnetic attraction for some 125,000 visitors every year. Most come to bag the Munro via the main 10.5-mile Mountain Track<\/a> (or Pony Track), but it is also a mecca for climbers drawn to its many famous winter and summer climbing routes, not least the North East Buttress.<\/p>\n

From weather conditions and mountain wildlife<\/a> to walks, climbs and places to stay, our visitor\u2019s guide reveals everything you need to know about Ben Nevis.<\/p>\n

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Ben Nevis, Britain\u2019s highest mountain, viewed across Loch Eilch\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Ben Nevis weather<\/h2>\n

During the winter months and into early summer, snow is likely to cover the upper part of the mountain, so you may need an ice axe and crampons \u2013 and know how to use them.<\/p>\n

Mid to late summer is the best time for an ascent, when the weather is more likely to be dry.<\/p>\n

The name Ben Nevis is an anglicisation of the Gaelic \u2018Beinn Nibheis\u2019, which has two translations, one meaning the\u00a0 \u2018malicious\u2019 or \u2018venomous\u2019 mountain, the other the \u2018mountain with its head in the clouds\u2019. Which translation is most accurate remains open to debate, but certainly Beinn Nibheis has its share of cloudy days with 355 on average a year.<\/p>\n

As always in mountain environments, the weather can be difficult to accurately predict, so anyone wishing to ascend Ben Nevis should be fully prepared \u2013 both with mountain walking experience and appropriate clothing (see below).<\/p>\n

Visit the Met Office website for an up-to-date forecast of Ben Nevis weather<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Magic mountains<\/h4>\n

From Snowdon<\/a>\u00a0and Pen y Fan<\/a> in Wales and Ben Nevis in Scotland to the towering heights of the Lake District Fells<\/a>, here is our guide to the UK\u2019s most amazing mountains.<\/p>\n