The Tourist Route

The path up Ben Nevis commonly referred to as the 'Tourist Route' or the 'Tourist Path' is in fact the old access route to the now ruined Observatory and was designed as a rough bridle path for ponies.

It is now known as the Mountain Track

It was properly designated as the 'Mountain Track' around 2004 in order to move away from what was considered the misleading title of 'Tourist Route' as it was felt that the latter persuaded the unwary that the route to the top of the mountain with what is arguably the fiercest mountain weather conditions in the Scotland, is a relatively simple walk suitable for a spur of the moment ascent by unprepared visitors.