Britain's Highest Mountain
beinn as àirde
Ben Nevis viewed from Torlundy on a summer evening
The south flank of Ben Nevis
The ruined observatory on the summit
Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis) attracts a large number of visitors each year simply because, at 1,344m (4406ft), it is Britain’s highest mountain. The normal route to the summit follows the Pony Track up the northwestern flank of the mountain. It was built along with a metereological observatory.
However, Ben Nevis is not just of interest to mountaineers and peak-baggers. It also designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of both its geology and natural history.
It is a spectacular examples of a caldera structure. This is when a giant crater is formed when the roof above a magma chamber collapses.
It also has the most extensive area of scree on its summit plateau of any mounatain in Britain. The angular blocks which lie on the surface were created by freeze-thaw action during glacial episodes when the summit of Ben Nevis remained above the general level of ice.
Ben Nevis is recognised and protected in many ways - The Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area was set up to recognise and protect the importance of the area.
It is also listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and a Special Area of Conservation due to the importance of its natural and cultural history.
Even though many thousands of people reach the summit of Ben Nevis every year, it is still a very difficult mountain to navigate on in bad visibility and shouldn't be attempted lightly. The temperature on the summit is 9° colder than it is at sea level, and bad weather can blow in with startling rapidity. If you're thinking about climbing it, make sure you are prepared before you go. Download a copy of the Ben Nevis safety leaflet here.
Visit the webcam to see current images of Ben Nevis.
