Lochaber
Ben Nevis — Parking
Glen Nevis Visitor Centre · Grid ref NN 123 730 · £8 per day (High Life Highland)
Quick facts
- Grid reference
- NN 123 730
- Spaces
- A small car park that fills early in the morning (High Life Highland, the operator, gives no space count).
- Cost
- £8 per day (High Life Highland)
- Surface
- tarmac
- Drive from Glasgow
- 2h 45m
- Drive from Edinburgh
- 2h 45m
Parking charge: £8 per day, first come first served — High Life Highland, the operator: "Car parking is £8 per day operated on a first come first served basis" (highlifehighland.com/spaces/car-park-2, read 28 Oct 2026). The postcode often quoted, PH33 6PF, lands about 1.5km short of the visitor centre — use the grid ref.
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.
Heading for the top? Ben Nevis weather — wind, cloud & which forecast to use →
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.
Planning more than the car park? The full glen guide — walks, waterfalls & history →
Facilities
- Toilets
- Visitor centre
- Information boards
Busy times
Peak congestion is July and August, and High Life Highland say the car park fills early in the morning. 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
Fort William is on the West Highland Line and on Scottish Citylink routes from Glasgow. For the last stretch, High Life Highland say that "during the summer months Shiel Busses operate a limited service via their N41 route" (read 28 Oct 2026) — it is summer only, so outside the season it is a 3km walk up the glen road. Check Shiel Buses for the current timetable before relying on it.
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
Neither nearby alternative is a free fallback any more. Highland Council approved mandatory charging at both "Lochaber, Achintee Road End" (NN 143 718) and "Glen Nevis, Road End" (the Steall car park, NN 167 691), with an Order that "will prohibit overnight parking between 10:00pm and 8:00am"; the council said it hoped charges would begin in June/July 2026 and published no tariff (highland.gov.uk news, 14 May 2026, read 28 Oct 2026). Read the signs on arrival.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:27
- Sunset
- 16:41
- Civil dawn
- 06:47
- Civil dusk
- 17:21
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Ben Nevis car park free?
- No. High Life Highland, who run it, charge £8 per day, first come first served (highlifehighland.com, read 28 Oct 2026). Neither alternative is free any more: Highland Council approved mandatory charging at Achintee Road End and at the Glen Nevis Road End (Steall), with no overnight parking between 10pm and 8am, and has published no tariff — read the signs on arrival.
- What time should I arrive at the Ben Nevis car park?
- Early. The operator describes it as a small car park that fills early in the morning, and summer weekends are the busiest. Late afternoon on a weekday can also work as morning walkers come down.
- Can I get to Ben Nevis without a car?
- Yes, to Fort William: it is on the West Highland Line and on Scottish Citylink routes from Glasgow. For the glen, High Life Highland say Shiel Buses run a limited summer-only N41 service; out of season it is a 3km walk from town up the glen road. Check the current timetable before relying on it.
- 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.
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