Ben Nevis Sunrise Challenge

Watch the sunrise from the summit of Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis), the highest mountain in the UK. An epic, unforgettable experience.

Experience Type: Day Experience
Distance: Approx. 11 miles (17.7km)
Duration: Most groups complete this walk in 8-10 hours
Level: Active Plus (see Large Outdoors Experience Levels here)
Age: 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/guardian throughout)
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

In a Nutshell:

Lots of laughs and camaraderie with a group of fellow walkers.
Stunning views from the UK’s highest peak as the sun rises.
A qualified Large Outdoors guide, navigating and ensuring everybody is walking safely, comfortably, and having a great time.

Want to Hire a Guide for an exclusive Ben Nevis Sunrise Challenge?

Book on an open challenge…

How do we grade our walks?

Explore our experience levels here!

Watch the sunrise from the highest mountain in the UK!

It’s an experience like no other, climbing a mountain in the dark with a supportive group and an experienced Large Outdoors guide, to wait on the summit for the first hints of light - then to watch the sun come up and reveal the surrounding landscape. We’re going to be doing just that, and on the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis), standing at 1345m (4,413ft)).

On the west coast of Scotland, right in the heart of the Highlands, the views from Ben Nevis are spectacular, from the hundreds of other summits visible from the top, right over to the Atlantic and the western isles.

After greeting the sun, we’ll head back down, where you can gaze out at all the scenery hidden during your ascent in the darkness. Arriving back in Glen Nevis, you can celebrate not only climbing Ben Nevis, but doing it in a way few other people do.

Suggested Itinerary - Ben Nevis Sunrise Challenge

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

You’ll meet the group and your Large Outdoors guide at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre, just down the road from Fort William. After a safety briefing and check that all head torches are working, we’re ready for the approximately 11 mile (17.7km) long walk. We’ll strike out by crossing the River Nevis, and quickly start the uphill journey. Gradually we make our way up the rocky but clear trail that skirts the slopes of Meall an t-Suidhe.

Beyond this point, the trail begins to zig-zag upwards, leaving much of the vegetation behind as we rise up to the summit plateau along the rocky path. Then it’s the final push to the summit and time to cross our fingers that the weather is on our side for a spectacular sunrise. On a clear day, or through tantalising breaks in the clouds, the views are jaw dropping. From the sight of the islands of the Hebrides and the ocean, across to the surrounding mountain peaks, the moment is quite humbling, absorbing the incredible experience.

After taking time to celebrate on the summit, we’ll begin the return journey, which will be down the same route. By this point you’ll be a bit giddy having done the hard uphill work. However with steep descents still in the offing, as well as tiring limbs, you’ll be glad of the encouraging words from your Large Outdoors guide and distractions provided by the group’s discussions.

Most groups complete this walk in 8-10 hours.

Essential Information

Meeting Time: The exact time to meet will change, based on sunrise times, throughout the year. Please check your email confirmation upon booking for your meeting time.
Meeting Location:
Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
Glen Nevis
Fort William
PH33 6PF
Parking: There is parking available at Ben Nevis Visitor Centre, even when Centre itself is closed. Per vehicle charge of £8 (at time of writing) applies via cash/card.
Public Transport: Unfortunately, the meeting location and time for this Large Outdoors experience is not accessible by public transport. Ben Nevis Visitor Centre is located 2 miles from the nearest Train Station at Fort William, with services to/from Glasgow.
Included:
- A Large Outdoors guide to lead you on your Ben Nevis Sunrise Challenge.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our General (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
DON’T FORGET:
• To bring your head torch - you will not be allowed to start the walk if you don’t have a working head torch with you.
• Warm Clothes (layers advised) - please remember on the mountain at night it can be significantly colder than during the daytime. Even during the summer months, a waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, plus warm layers, hat and gloves are compulsory kit for this experience. It can be 20C in the daytime but hovering around freezing at night on the summit.

Why walk with a guide?

Walking with a Large Outdoors guide is an enjoyable, inspiring experience that helps you get the most out of your adventures.

Tackling a mountain isn’t something many of us do often, so we always recommend doing so with an experienced, qualified guide.

Why?

Well, our guides are expert navigators with in-depth knowledge of the routes. They understand the weather conditions and can decide the safest course of action should the weather change. Our guides are first-aid certified and know how to handle unexpected emergency situations.

Our guides will pace the walk, helping you travel at a comfortable pace while providing encouragement.

Fancy this as your charity challenge?

Discover our Charity Options

Ben Nevis Sunrise Challenge - Frequently Asked Questions:

Yes - summiting Ben Nevis is a proper challenge. This is a long day (most groups complete this walk in 8-10 hours) with 11 miles (17.7km) to cover, as well as 1,353m (4,435ft) of ascent. It’s important we walk at a good pace to complete the challenge within the designated time. Most groups complete this walk in 8-10 hours.
You should ensure you have a good level of fitness before embarking on the challenge, comfortable with walking long distances with a good level of ascent and descent. We’d also recommend making sure you’re comfortable walking in the dark - it can be unnerving for some - and with your head torch. The more training you do, the more enjoyable you’ll find the challenge.
In terms of Large Outdoors experience levels, we grade this walk as Active Plus - see Large Outdoors experience levels here.
The guide determines the pace, based on the group as a whole. They will do their very best to accommodate the speed of the group they are leading, whilst providing the encouragement needed to complete the challenge. The pace might be a little slower or faster than you’re used to but your guide will advise you of the pace required to complete the challenge safely within the designated time. Most groups complete the walk in 8-10 hours.
There is a cut-off time and point that your guide will work towards in terms of setting the pace. If you miss this cut-off then you will be unable to continue with the challenge and asked to turn back - this is for safety and the fairness of the group experience, in line with our Terms & Conditions.
Your guide reserves the right to ask you to drop out of the walk at a safe point if they are concerned about your ability to complete within the time limit and/or to meet the cut-off point in good time. This is for safety and the fairness of the group experience, in line with our Terms & Conditions.
If at any point you feel that you cannot keep up and/or will not be able to complete the challenge, it’s vital you let your guide know as soon as possible. Your safety and that of the group is their paramount concern, so the sooner they know the sooner they can assist.
As per the Compulsory Kit List, it is important that you have money and a mobile phone with you if for any reason you are unable to complete the challenge and need to leave the group - you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to your accommodation/for onward travel.
Please see our General (Walking) Kit List, which applies to our Ben Nevis challenge walks.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed. Failure to attend with all of these items may mean you are unable to take part, as per our Terms & Conditions.
DON’T FORGET: To bring your head torch - you will not be allowed to start the walk if you don’t have a working head torch with you. We insist of a head torch for your safety - a handheld torch or the torch on your phone is NOT suitable.
There are toilets at the start/finish point but please note these are independently operated, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability (they are not usually available at the times we run our sunrise walks). There are no toilets on the route or at the summit.
There are no opportunities for water refills or food along the route, so you should bring sufficient water (at least 2-3 litres per person) and plenty of food.
Always remember: your Large Outdoors guide is there to help you! If you experience any difficulties please let them know as soon as possible.
If you think you are developing a blister, let your guide know and they’ll take a little time to make sure you get a plaster on it and try to advise you on stopping your boots rubbing.
The best way to deal with blisters is always prevention: a good pair of socks (or two - spare socks are a luxury worth having on a big challenge walk!) and a pair of boots that are already worn-in. This challenge is not the place to break-in a new pair of boots, so make sure you take them out for several good training walks before the big day.
All of our Ben Nevis Challenges are guided and undertaken as a group. This is part of the experience and we hope you have a fantastic time.
We strongly recommend that you stay with the group and your guide throughout the challenge.
If you choose to leave the group, our guide will advise you that you are leaving the Ben Nevis Challenge organised by Large Outdoors and we will therefore not be responsible for your wellbeing going forward.
As good practice, your guide may ask you to contact them by text message when you have returned to your car/accommodation. However, your guide cannot be your ‘emergency contact’, so you must notify a trusted third-party of your intentions so they can contact the emergency services if you do not report in at an advised time.
As per our Compulsory Kit List, we ask you to ensure you have a mobile phone and money with you.
Parking at the meeting point is pay-and-display, so you’ll need cash/card to pay for vehicle parking.
If for any reason you are unable to complete the challenge and need to leave the group, you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to your accommodation/for onward travel. Taking a mix of cash and a card is advised.
If, for any reason, you leave the group, we ask that you contact your guide by text message when you have returned to your car/accommodation as a courtesy.
Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a mobile phone with you when you’re exploring the outdoors, just in case of emergency. There’s usually a signal for parts of this walk, although it can be patchy in places.
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
We do not provide any transport for this experience.
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.