Ben Nevis

What we're doing

For the past 20 years, we've worked with neighbouring  land managers in the Nevis Landscape Partnership to manage this special and popular area. This includes managing visitor impact by maintaing the upper stretch of the Ben Nevis summit path and the Steall Gorge trail, as well as regular litter picks.

Protecting and restoring habitats

We carry out regular wildlife and habitat surveys at Nevis and are working to encourage the natural expansion of native woodland including Scots pine. This includes deer control so that native trees can regenerate, as well as some planting with the local community as part of the Nevis Landscape Partnership Future Forest project. In autumn 2022, we will be carrying out a peatland restoration project at Nevis.

Wildlife at Nevis

Ben Nevis is home to golden and white tailed eagles, red deer, pine marten and water vole, as well as snow bunting, ptarmigan, and rare butterflies like the mountain ringlet and chequered skipper. There are also 75 different species of lichen, 33 of which are considered rare in the UK.

Visiting Ben Nevis

Over 130,000 people climb to the summit of Ben Nevis each year. It's a challenging but rewarding experience and anyone wishing to make the trip should be well prepared for changeable weather conditions.

Another option is to walk to the dramatic Steall Waterfall, Scotland's second highest falls, with waters plunging more than 100 metres. The spectacular two mile walk to the waterfall passes through rocky gorges and grassy meadows. There's also the opportunity to cross the wire bridge over River Nevis.

Please be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code  if you are visiting.