If you’re in search for the best wild camping on Ben Nevis, I take it you aren’t the campgrounds type.
If you’re already camping, you may as well do it right- no?
The Scottish Highlands are a wild campers dream. Wild camping is practically 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 hear from many locals in the area.
In fact, if you tell them what I’m suggesting to you, there’s a chance they’d call you a lunatic.
Or perhaps “doolally”– the locals seemed quite partial to that term when I made my visit.
Can You Wild Camp on Ben Nevis?
Under the Land Reform Act of 2003, you can wild camp in almost every unenclosed area in the country as part of Scotland’s “right to roam” laws.
This includes Ben Nevis.
However, you have to follow some rules. Minimizing your impact, removing all litter, stuff like that. Don’t be an a**hole, in other words.
It’s one of my favorite things about Scotland, and something you should definitely be taking advantage of.
Where to Get a Tent Near Ben Nevis
If you already have a tent, you can go ahead and skip this section.
I, however, did not. I had no intention of camping until I arrived in the town of Fort William and found I had no place to stay the night under $200- which is, of course, an outrageously ridiculous price.
You can purchase a tent at a number of places in Fort William, the nearby town. I walked into three different shops and checked for the cheapest price.
I found one (including sleeping bag and floor mat) for $80 USD, and subsequently ignored the warnings of the nice lady in the store telling me the tent would do very little to block out the impending rainstorm expected later at night.
Unfortunately, there was no option to rent- which of course would have been ideal.
The Lochan: The Perfect Wild Camping Spot on Ben Nevis
The best place for wild camping on Ben Nevis is at the summit.
Just kidding. The real best place for wild camping on Ben Nevis is at the Lochan (lake) halfway up the mountain.
It 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 have all the time in the world to take in this beauty.
Remember, as they often say: it’s about the journey as much as it is the destination.
So why is this such a great spot?
Beyond the beauty, there are a couple of practical reasons that make this the best spot to wild camp on Ben Nevis.
First off, there is a plethora of flat ground that you can pitch your tent on. That isn’t the case in many other areas along the hike.
You also have (sometimes) protection from the wind, depending on the direction in which it’s blowing. I’ll talk more about this later.
There’s also a little “beach” at the closer, shorter end of the lake (in relation to the path) 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. The water is surprisingly warm in the summer.
How to Get to the Wild Camping Spot on Ben Nevis
The main path up Ben Nevis usually takes between 3.5-5.5 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 all to yourself the following morning.
When you start up the trail, you may receive some curious looks from hikers heading down the mountain. After all, that is the more popular direction after 8 PM.
But don’t let that throw you off- ignore those nonbelievers and power on. But maybe leave a little earlier than 8 PM.
To reach the lake, it’ll probably take you between 2-3 hours.
The path doesn’t go to the lake, so once you see it you’ll have to diverge off into the grass.
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 depending on scenery and practicality (AKA, wind protection). This was learned the hard way.
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.
I suggest you start your journey up the mountain about 4-5 hours before sundown.
When I went, I gave myself about two. 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.
While much of this can be avoided by simply not being a moron, I would still recommend giving yourself a few extra hours- if for no other reason than to enjoy the scenery before dark.
Some Practical Tips: Be Smart
I’m a firm believer that doing stupid things is good for you in many ways, but there are still a few precautions I’d recommend taking.
Have the Right Equipment
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 if you want to have a comfortable time.
It’s a bit much if you ask me.
If you simply want to survive, a tent, sleeping bag, and bottom mat will do. You should also have a light in the case you arrive to the lake late like me (don’t).
Midge repellent is also a good idea. It wasn’t a problem for me since I had a windy night, but if the air is still you better believe they’re plotting their attack.
Another thing I would maybe 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.
Be Aware of the Weather
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.
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 torrential 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 with no one in sight. Sure, it would be a good story to tell- but maybe, just maybe, there are limits to how much risk you should take.
God, what’s happened to me?
Lastly, be smart about the wind. Check its direction by throwing some grass in the air, and try and find a spot that offers the most protection.
It’s mostly flat, but there are some little mounds here and there that you can hide behind and be marginally protected.
Once you take these few precautions (or not), 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.
And it’s sure to be unforgettable.
