Corbett · Knoydart
Ben Tee
Ben Tee is the perfect pyramid rising above the Caledonian Canal between Invergarry and Loch Lochy — visible for miles along the Great Glen and among the most distinctive small mountains in the Highlands. The classic conical shape gives away the geology: a steep cone of schist with little flat ground anywhere on the upper slopes. The summit is sharp, the view down the length of Loch Lochy and across to Knoydart ranks as a particularly good in Lochaber, and the hill has just enough commitment to feel like a proper day without being long.
Quick facts
- Height
- 901.6m/ 2958ft
- Distance
- 12 km
- Ascent
- 920 m
- Time
- 4–6 hrs
- Grid ref
- NN240971
- Parking
- NN286962
- Nearest city
- Fort William
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
glen track 25% · rough hillside 35% · steep ridge 30% · rocky summit 10%
The standard route starts from the Laggan Locks car park on the Caledonian Canal. Walk north along the canal towpath briefly, then climb west on a forestry track and footpath onto open hillside. The route picks up the south-east ridge of the hill, which rises steadily then steepens into the final cone. The summit can be reached via a short scramble onto a small rocky top. The descent simply reverses the ascent. Allow 5–6 hours.
Terrain
Canal towpath and forest track in. The open hillside is heather and tussocky grass — slow going on the lower slopes. The south-east ridge is mostly grass with rock outcrops; the summit cone is steep enough to feel like a final push. Wet conditions make the upper grassy slopes slippery on descent.
In winter
Ben Tee in firm winter conditions is a fine day — the cone holds snow well and the gradient is interesting without being technical. In thaw or wet snow the descent is the main hazard. Loaded slopes on the steep upper face produce slab avalanches in the wrong conditions; the daily SAIS bulletin for Lochaber is mandatory reading before driving up.
This hill is in the Glen Coe SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 54m
- Edinburgh3h 4m
OS maps: OS Landranger 34
Mobile signal: Intermittent on the lower approach near Laggan Locks; brief 4G on the summit looking south to the Great Glen
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:36
- Sunset
- 21:59
- Civil dawn
- 03:34
- Civil dusk
- 23:00
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Ben Tee.
On a long-distance route
Ben Tee sits within 5km of these named long-distance walks — useful for trail-pack rest days or section extensions.
Around Ben Tee on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Roy Bridge station
Glen Roy; Grey Corries (Stob Choire Claurigh, Sgurr Choinnich Mor)
16km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Fort William
Ben Nevis base, West Highland Line, gateway to Lochaber
27km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William — Lochaber distillery at the foot of the Ben; long-aged Japanese-owned classics
24km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Ben Tee — common questions
- How hard is Ben Tee?
- Ben Tee is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 12km with 920m of ascent and takes most walkers 4-6 hours. Terrain: Canal towpath and forest track in.
- Where do I park for Ben Tee?
- Standard parking is at NN286962 near Fort William. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When is the best time to climb Ben Tee?
- The standard good-weather months for Ben Tee are May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Ben Tee?
- Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
- Is there mobile signal on Ben Tee?
- Intermittent on the lower approach near Laggan Locks; brief 4G on the summit looking south to the Great Glen
- Is Ben Tee safe in winter?
- Ben Tee in firm winter conditions is a fine day — the cone holds snow well and the gradient is interesting without being technical. In thaw or wet snow the descent is the main hazard. Loaded slopes on the steep upper face produce slab avalanches in the wrong conditions; the daily SAIS bulletin for Lochaber is mandatory reading before driving up.