Defeat the Peak | Ben Nevis by Day Challenge

Summit Day

The event venue for this challenge is situated at the Glen Nevis visitors centre, just 5 minutes from Fort William and right in the heart of the spectacular Scottish Highlands.

After registration, and a full safety briefing from your challenge leaders you will begin the trek. During the trek you will be supported every step of the way by fully qualified Mountain Leaders.

Ahead of you is 14km of tough walking as you ascend the Pony Track, along the famous ‘zig-zags’ before heading out across the plateaux to the summit.

After celebrating at the summit, descend back down to Glen Nevis where it will be time to depart.

How tough is it?

The Ben Nevis by Day challenge is graded as challenging. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and having taken on a previous walking challenge and are now looking to push themselves further. You can tell your supporters that on your Ben Nevis by Day Challenge you will be:

• Trekking for approx 8 hours continuously
• Covering over 16km of undulating terrain
• Trekking without support, carrying all your food and water for the entire day
• Ascending a total of approx 1330m in a single day
• Summiting the UK's highest mountain

Training

Training advice is readily available.

Group size

There will be one challenge leader for approximately every 10-15 participants, which means that you can walk at your own speed with others of similar pace.

Dogs

Unfortunately, you are unable to walk with your dog. This is due to safety reasons for your fellow hikers and your dog.

Event HQ

Ben Nevis Visitor Centre
Glen Nevis
Fort William
Highland
PH33 6PF
UK

The registration point will be situated in or close to Fort William.

Public transport

Fort William is well served by a variety of public transport options, including the train from Glasgow.

By air

Inverness is the closest airport. It is 1.5 hours from Inverness to Fort William.

Overview

On this challenge the ascent and descent are from the visitors centre in Glen Nevis and the Pony Track is followed at all times.

You will be ascending and descending via the Mountain Track that starts and finishes in Glen Nevis. You will be accompanied by fully qualified mountain leaders at all times. These leaders will navigate the route so you can conserve all of your energy for completing the challenge. Whilst the footpath is very easy to follow lower down the mountain it is important to realise that the summit plateaux is a notoriously tricky area to navigate, and the path becomes far less obvious, especially in bad weather. It is therefore very important that you remain with your leaders throughout.

Map

Terrain

Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this trek should not be underestimated as it includes tough ascents and descents. The route is predominantly on a well-maintained path but is rocky in places so can be slippery if wet. In particular, the famous ‘zig-zags’ contain several sections of loose scree that can be difficult when wet. Certain sections of the path are steeper than others but there are no sections that require you to use your hands to scramble.

Food and drink

A packed lunch to take with you on the trek is included in the cost however you are encouraged to bring some of your own preferred snacks to keep you going during the challenge. 

Please bring enough bottles to ensure you have 2 litres of water on you at all times. 

Please ensure you have had a substantial breakfast before arriving and that your water bottles are already filled.

This challenge should have a positive impact on the communities visited and is committed to sustainable and responsible tourism. It aims to make sure that impact on the local environment is minimised.

Summary

You can help achieve this goal by:

• Adopting a policy of ‘leave no trace’.
• Taking all litter off the trek with you, including fruit peels and skins.
• Using public toilets when available and take any tissues from ‘wild wees’ home with you.
• Stick to the footpaths at all times and avoid walking on their edges, to help prevent erosion from spreading.
• Only using the car park(s) designated for your event, and not parking on the local streets.
• Keeping noise to a minimum when passing houses in residential areas.
• Leaving rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Please don’t take these home with you.
• Avoid transporting and introducing invasive species by cleaning your outdoor gear regularly.
• Contributing to the local economy by paying for parking, staying an additional night in the local area or enjoying a local meal out.
• Being patient and understanding if at points you have to wait or slow down due to others being on the same path.

You are asked to think carefully about any memorial-type activities you may plan for your challenge. It is fully appreciated that this challenge has emotional importance and encourages you to mark that special moment in your own way, whilst ensuring that the natural beauty and protection of the environment you’re in is maintained. Leaving photos or other memorabilia or writing on stones is contrary to the leave no trace principle.

Remember: ‘Take only memories, leave only footprints’.

You'll be part of a unique group of like-minded challengers that will be fundraising to support people living with cancer – creating a friendly, supportive atmosphere for an unforgettable experience.

As part of Team Macmillan, you'll receive:

Before you go

• 12.5% off Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, and Runners Need
• Support materials (itinerary, kit list, fact file, Q&As, health notes, travel tips, responsible travel policy and guidance)
• Fitness training notes
• Risk assessment and emergency management planning

On your challenge

• All challenge management before, during and post event
• Full back-up support including first-aid qualified staff and first-aid supplies
• Macmillan-branded snood and medal
• Packed lunch

For your fundraising

• A free Macmillan top to wear on the day, plus iron-on letters to customise your kit
• First-class support from the Macmillan Hiking Team, from sign up through to the finish line
• A fundraising pack bursting with fundraising tips and tricks
• Team Macmillan E-newsletters to keep you up to date

Not Included

• Travel to/from the challenge start/finish point
• Clothing and equipment listed on the kit list
• Accommodation if required
• Personal spending money

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan is needed now more than ever. With every mile you walk and pound you raise, they can be there to provide vital services for people who need it most.

• 3 million people

  There are 3 million people living with cancer in the UK today who urgently need support from Macmillan.

• Hundreds of hikers

  You’ll be joining an incredible community of supporters from across the UK, coming together to make a difference.

• Fundraise

  By raising funds, you’ll be helping Macmillan provide vital cancer services, research and campaign to achieve better cancer care, and support the cancer workforce.

How to fundraise

There are so many fun and easy ways to fundraise. From games to sponsorship forms, Macmillan has got you covered. It's time to kick-start your fundraising for Macmillan!

Resources

• 26 fundraising tips
• Team fundraising guide
• Fundraise while you shop
• Recycling for good causes
• WhatsApp messaging
• Sponsorship form
• Sponsor a mile poster
• Guess My Time poster

Teams

Teams may have a joint fundraising target and joint fundraising page. This means the overall goal is shared. You can fundraise as a team on JustGiving by adding your team members to your page.

eg. a team of 3 will have a target of £900.

Tips

Macmillan helps people get through cancer. Your donations make it happen.

You can take on this challenge from age 14 and above, although all participants aged 14 to 17 will have to always have a parent or guardian with them during the challenge.

Entry fees