North Face

About Walk Activities Facilities and access Directions Contact Nearby forests

Where we are

Bridge replacement works are taking place on the footbridge over the River Lundy at OS Grid Ref NN 1593 7708. This is often called the “Hole in the Wall bridge". There will be no public access to the bridge until April 2025.
Tree felling work is being carried out in the wider Leanachan Forest. There will be increased large vehicle and lorry traffic on all the forest roads between the North Face car park and the Nevis Range car park.
Please see attached map for the location of the active tree felling site and note the closure of the Puggy line section which is being diverted via the forest road as shown on this map. We anticipate the work will continue into March 2025 and would ask the public to avoid the area and follow all safety signage.

About

Broad green valley with pockets of woods, fields and houses on a wet and cloudy day.

Forest track winding over a hillside towards dense green conifer trees with clouds overhead.

A path disappearing into mixed woodland with large grey mountains beyond.

Spectacular views of Britain's highest mountain

Follow the way-marked trail in the shadow of mighty Ben Nevis for a feel of the open high country and spectacular views of the north face’s towering cliffs. Climbers from around the world come to test themselves on the classic routes here.

Listen for the soothing sound of the Allt a Mhuilinn, meaning ‘the mill stream’, as you head uphill. The stream once powered an old mill and now supplies hydro-electric power to the aluminium smelter in Fort William.

Walking trails

North Face route card (PDF)

Walking

North Face Trail

A steep climb is rewarded with magnificent views into the towering North face of Ben Nevis, over Fort William and out west towards the road to the Isles.

A good smooth surface, with long steep slopes throughout. The upper path is narrow and can be slippery when damp.

2 ¼ miles / 3.5 km

Allow 1 ½ hours

More information

Following the Allt a Mhuillin (the mill stream), this steep path has fine views of Ben Nevis and Loch Eil. Britain’s highest mountain is particularly impressive from this trail, as the menacing 2000 ft (610 m) cliffs of the North Face tower above you. You may well see climbers tackling the challenging routes across the rock face.

Beyond the stile the path enters open hillside: you’ll need the right clothing and equipment for this.

Activities

Ben Nevis hill walk

North Face car park is the starting point for the Carn Mor Dearg Arete route up Ben Nevis. While considered to be one of the most spectacular hill walks in the country, it's a long and extremely challenging route even by the standards of experienced hill walkers. It should not be attempted without the proper equipment and planning. This is not to be confused with the more straightforward, if still long and exposed Mountain Path route up Ben Nevis, accessible from Glen Nevis.

Facilities and access

Mountain access

Picnic area

Viewpoint

Walking

Parking (charge)

The nearest public toilets are in Fort William, 3 miles to the south, or Nevis Range, 2 miles to the north.

Car parking information

The charges to park at North Face are:

£1 for up to 1 hour
£3 for all day

Blue Badge holders park free. Please display your Blue Badge clearly.

Payment can be made using RingGo.

Annual parking passes are available for this site, visit our parking page for more information.

Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our Forest Search.

More about parking

Getting here

From the A82 at Torlundy, follow the turn-off signposted for the 'North face' car park. Follow this road up over the railway line where another sign on the right will guide you to the car park.