Access to the North Face of Ben Nevis
Access to the North Face of Ben Nevis has been greatly improved by a new 1750m path from the north Face car park in Torlundy, through Chapman’s wood, to the start of the Alt a’ Mhuilinn track. Forestry Commission Scotland purchased the wood earlier this year and the Nevis Partnership secured funding from HIPP/EAGGF, HIE Lochaber and the Highland Council.
Opening the new path, mountaineer, writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish said: “This path will ease the effort of reaching the fabulous north face of Ben Nevis. The path has been opened just in time for what will, hopefully, be a great season for Scotland’s winter climbers.”
The new path, which has revived the lower section of the Allt a' Mhuilinn path, which had deteriorated to a horrendous condition, is a fine example of the co-operation that exists between the member organisations of the Nevis Partnership as they strive to maintain the environmental qualities that have made Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis such iconic landscapes.
In this case the main partner was the Forestry Commission, who had earlier in the year purchased the section of woodland at the bottom of the Allt a’ Mhuillin path known as Chapman’s Wood. This meant that the Partnership’s aim of improving access to the north face of Ben Nevis could become a reality.
The history of access to the climbing crags of Ben Nevis has often been an acrimonious one. The old route, across the Fort William Golf Course, created confrontation with golfers and during the Foot and Mouth crisis an access group, the Lochaber Mountain Access Group, was formed to help fight the cause for access.
At that time, 2003, the outdoor gear manufacturer The North Face, committed £50,000 to help improve the footpath that runs up to the north face alongside the Allt a’ Mhuillin but even then it was clear that if the block of woodland just above the Torlundy car park was made available then it would allow a direct line to the Allt a Mhuillin.
Earlier this year Forestry Commission Scotland, encouraged by the Nevis Partnership, purchased Chapman’s Wood and the new path, linking to the Allt a‘ Mhuillin path, is now complete.
“I’m certain this new path will be welcomed by all those who visit the North Face of the Ben,” said Cameron McNeish. “We sometimes tend to forget that the walk in to a climb and the walk out are part and parcel of the mountain experience and trampling over badly eroded or muddy footpaths can take the edge off that experience. It can even put off visitors from coming back again.”
The Forestry Commission is a very active and enthusiastic member of the Nevis Partnership and, of course, the work of the Commision these days is not just about harvesting timber.
The Nevis Partnership obtained funding from the European Agricultural Guidance & Guarantee Fund through the Highlands & Islands Special Transitional Programme, together with The Highland Council and HIE Lochaber, to reconstruct the 1750m long path. Local contractors Chris Cairns of Conserve and Alex Grant carried out the work - a wickedly difficult job on a route that rises 225m along its length.
At the opening ceremony, the Nevis Partnership manager, Brian Wilshaw, said: “As well as being good for walkers and mountaineers, the path will also benefit other visitors, particularly those who come to Fort William to take part in the diverse range of outdoor and cultural activities the region has to offer. With Lochaber’s recently acquired Geopark status and Fort William’s established reputation as Outdoor Capital of the UK, more people are likely to be attracted to the area in the future and through The Nevis Partnership, local organisations are doing what they can to prepare for and welcome those visitors.”