About the trip
Ascending Ben Nevis via the Pony Track is approximately 10.5 miles (17Km) in length and typically takes between 7 and 9 hours for first-timers walking at an average but sustained pace. It involves steep ascents and descents on rocky and fairly uneven ground and whilst within the capability of anyone who walks regularly and/or has a good level of fitness it should not be underestimated.
The walk is often broken down into 3 stages with stage 1 being from the start up to the Red Burn crossing taking you past picturesque Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, also known as the Halfway Lochan, and getting you to about half way up the mountain. Stage 2 covers the zig-zags: up to 9 sections of a rough and almost relentless path zig-zagging back and forth and taking you from 700m to 1200m altitude - probably the hardest section of the route. Stage 3 is the final kilometer or so of the route up and takes you up the remaining 145m of ascent over less steep but slightly rougher ground. You'll eventually be able to get glimpses down the 600m drop of Ben Nevis' famous North Face and over to the summit plateau before finally reaching the large summit cairn itself, marking the highest point of the UK and the pinnacle of your own achievement.
The walk is often broken down into 3 stages with stage 1 being from the start up to the Red Burn crossing taking you past picturesque Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, also known as the Halfway Lochan, and getting you to about half way up the mountain. Stage 2 covers the zig-zags: up to 9 sections of a rough and almost relentless path zig-zagging back and forth and taking you from 700m to 1200m altitude - probably the hardest section of the route. Stage 3 is the final kilometer or so of the route up and takes you up the remaining 145m of ascent over less steep but slightly rougher ground. You'll eventually be able to get glimpses down the 600m drop of Ben Nevis' famous North Face and over to the summit plateau before finally reaching the large summit cairn itself, marking the highest point of the UK and the pinnacle of your own achievement.