If you’re in search for the best wild camping on Ben Nevis, I take it you aren’t the campgrounds type. I mean, you’re already camping, may as well do it right no? Anyway, you’ve come to the right place.

The Scottish Highlands are a wild campers dream. Wild camping is synonymous with the area and completely protected by law.

But let me give fair warning- what I’m going to recommend is probably not something you’ll here from many locals in the area. In fact, if you tell them what I’m suggesting to you, there’s a chance they’ll call you a lunatic. Or perhaps “doolally”– the locals seemed quite partial to that term when I made my visit.

You’re Going to Have to Hike Up to Reach it

The best place for wild camping on Ben Nevis is at the summit.

Just kidding.

But it isn’t at the base either. The way up Ben Nevis usually takes between 3.5-5 hours, varying based on your ability. But for longer hikes like these in the Highlands, I prefer to hike part of the way up, camp, and finish early the next morning.

This gives you time to relax and take in the serene natural beauty before going to sleep, and have the mountain to yourself the following morning.

The real best place for wild camping on Ben Nevis is at the lake.

The lake is about halfway up, and is- in my view- the most beautiful part of the mountain. Hikers generally walk past it quickly in their haste to reach the summit, but you’re going to be able to take all the time in the world to take in the beauty. Remember, it’s about the journey- not just the destination.

I suggest you start your journey up the mountain about 4-5 hours before sundown. When I went, I gave myself about 2, and it led to a lot of unnecessary stress in the form of dwindling sunlight, rain, heavy winds, lack of a flashlight and a new tent I had no idea how to pitch.

Obviously (as I’ll get into later) much of this can be avoided by simply not being a moron, but I would still recommend giving yourself a few extra hours, if for no other reason then to enjoy the scenery before dark.

Where Exactly to Pitch Your Tent

Once you get up to the lake, you’ll have to go off the main path to get close.

Then the choice of where to set up camp is entirely up to you.

The lake isn’t that big- if you get up to it nice and early, you’ll be able to walk around it and pick a spot you like best.

If you stay on the closer side, you’ll get a beautiful view of the hills on the opposite side of the lake. If you venture over to the opposite side, you’ll be looking up at the summit, which you’ll be tackling the next morning.

There’s also a little “beach” at the closer, shorter end of the lake that you can set up camp near. I didn’t do so personally as the ground there was damp when I showed up and I wasn’t properly equipped, but it seemed to be a nice spot.

And if you’re feeling it, you can even take a dip.

Doing Stupid Things is Good, But You Should Still be Somewhat Prepared

I’m a firm believer that doing stupid things is good for you in many ways, but there are a still just a few precautions I’d recommend taking.

First, be properly equipped. This advice is probably more necessary for me than it is for you, but I feel inclined to say it just in case there are more idiots out there.

You can check out this article on the things you’ll need. It’s a bit much if you ask me. Although one thing I would add is a groundsheet, which will be useful for keeping your tent floor dry in the event that the ground is damp- often very much the case in Scotland. Which leads into my second precaution.

Second, check the weather. Rain and wind. Here, I’ve made it easy for you. When I went, it seemed lovely out and I didn’t bother to check.

This was a mistake. The weather in the highlands- especially at higher altitudes, where you’ll be- can change very quickly. I got lucky because I got my tent up just in time before the heavy rain started coming down.

The last thing you want is for rain to start coming down before being set up, when you’re halfway up the tallest mountain in the UK and the sun is down. Maybe you’re better equipped for it, but it’s just not worth it.

Once you take these few precautions, head up there and have an awesome time. There’s no better way to fully experience a wild camping expedition on Ben Nevis, I can promise you that.