Lochaber
Ben Nevis — Parking
Glen Nevis Visitor Centre · Grid ref NN 123 730 · PH33 6PF · Paid — £3/day (2025 rates)
Quick facts
- Grid reference
- NN 123 730
- Postcode (satnav)
- PH33 6PF
- Spaces
- ~150
- Cost
- Paid — £3/day (2025 rates)
- Surface
- tarmac
- Drive from Glasgow
- 2h 45m
- Drive from Edinburgh
- 2h 45m
From the car park
From the car park, cross the footbridge over the River Nevis and follow the signed path to Achintee farm. The Mountain Track begins here and climbs steadily south-east up the lower slopes of the Ben. The path is well-engineered and cairned throughout. Grid ref for the car park is NN 123 730; the summit is NN 166 712.
The walk
Ben Nevis via the Mountain Track is a 17km return walk with 1,350m of ascent. The route follows an excellent constructed path from Glen Nevis to the summit plateau — the highest point in the British Isles at 1,345m. The upper section crosses boulder fields and can hold snow well into June. In clear weather, views extend to Ireland and the Outer Hebrides. Allow 6–8 hours return including breaks.
Facilities
- Toilets
- Visitor centre
- Information boards
- Seasonal café nearby
Busy times
Peak congestion is July and August — the car park fills by 9am on weekends. June and September are busy but more manageable. Winter (December–March) is quiet but the mountain is a serious winter undertaking. Weekday mornings in shoulder season (May, October) offer the best balance of good conditions and space.
Getting here without a car
Scottish Citylink coaches stop in Fort William on the Glasgow–Inverness route. From Fort William bus station, local bus service 41 (Stagecoach Highland) runs up Glen Nevis and stops near the Visitor Centre in summer. Check current timetables at stagecoachbus.com — the service runs approximately hourly in summer months.
Winter access
The access road to the car park remains open year-round. In severe conditions the Glen Nevis road may be affected by snow from Achintee onwards, but the Visitor Centre car park itself is rarely impassable. The mountain above 700m becomes a serious winter mountaineering undertaking — ice axe and crampons required, SAIS avalanche forecast essential.
Overflow parking
Additional informal parking at NN 143 718 (Achintee Farm) and NN 167 691 (lower Glen Nevis, free)
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:24
- Sunset
- 21:09
- Civil dawn
- 04:37
- Civil dusk
- 21:57
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Ben Nevis car park free?
- No — Glen Nevis Visitor Centre car park charges £3 per day (2025 rate). Payment by card or cash at the machine. The Achintee Farm overflow and lower Glen Nevis are free but fill quickly.
- What time should I arrive at the Ben Nevis car park?
- Aim to arrive before 8:30am in summer (June–August) to guarantee a space. By 9am on weekends the main car park is often full. Arriving late afternoon (after 3pm) on a weekday can also work as morning walkers return.
- Can I get to Ben Nevis without a car?
- Yes. Scottish Citylink coaches serve Fort William from Glasgow (3h) and Inverness (1h45). In summer, Stagecoach Highland bus 41 runs up Glen Nevis to near the Visitor Centre. Check current timetables as the service is seasonal.
- Is there a toilet at the Ben Nevis car park?
- Yes — toilets are available at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, which also has an information centre with maps and weather information. A café operates in the village nearby during the season.