Ben Nevis by Ledge Route
We offer guided ascents of Ben Nevis by Ledge Route which was once described as ‘A superb expedition...the situation and scenery are magnificent.’
The easiest mountaineering line up the North Face to the summit of Ben Nevis.
Pick at date through the summer to suit you.
Want to do this route in Winter? Click here.
Prices
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Route Length: 450m
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Grade: Easy***
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Ground: Mountain Path, rocky ridge, rough moorland
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Duration: 1 Day
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Start/Finish: Torlundy, North Face Car Park
Pre-requisites
Experience of mountain walking or good fitness, a good head for heights and the ability to move over rocky terrain, no experience of scrambling needed
Stats
What we offer
All our mountaineering instructors are local to the area and have many years’ experience in the mountains, helping people achieve the summit of Ben Nevis via Ledge route.
Our guides know the best route and are very knowledgeable about the mountain environment, so the day can be easily split up with interesting chats, wildlife and great views along the way.
We only organise private groups up Ben Nevis via Ledge route.
The prices quoted are for one guide per group or individual, so our routes will always go ahead.
Summary
Ledge route is a perfect introductory ridge for your first scramble or north face route and a great way to get to the summit of Ben Nevis.
The day starts with a walk up the north face path to the CIC hut which sits at the base of the main north face buttresses. Here we can have a break whilst taking in the grandeur of the surroundings: the largest mountain face in the UK, made famous by generations of keen climbers having new adventures in both summer and winter. From this position we will be able to see the main ridge lines of Ben Nevis: on our left rising straight to the summit is North East Buttress, then Tower Ridge (maybe the next goal), then our route on the right hand sky line, Ledge Route. It looks intimidating from this angle but there is a small mountain path that weaves its way through to the start.
After the CIC hut we leave the path and start our main ascent through small waterfalls and big boulders towards the famous No. 5 gully, a popular winter gully. If we are lucky then we might see some of the rare alpine plants that only grow on the bigger, higher mountains in Scotland as well as lots of interesting geology to talk about, before we start to climb over it.
In a short distance we cross No.5 gully and gain the start of Ledge Route. From here we follow the crest of the ridge choosing the best variations over the grippy rock, whether you want it to be made harder or easier. Once at the top of Ledge Route it is then a short distance round the top of the north face to the summit of Ben Nevis.
From the summit we have 2 options of descent. Either via the CMD arête and over the peak of Carn Mor Dearg or down the Pony Track to ‘Half way Lochan’ and then over the rough moor back to our starting path to Torlundy. Most people choose the Pony Track descent, satisfied that they have achieved one of the classic Ben Nevis ridges.
