“How hard of a climb is Ben Nevis compared to Snowdon?”
“Just how difficult is Ben Nevis?”
These are questions that newbies to the Ben often ask.
Now, Ben Nevis and Snowdon are both challenging climbs, but just by looking at the difference in height (4,413ft vs 3,560ft) you can clearly see how much further there is to ascend when taking on the formidable Scottish mountain.
However, comparing these climbs isn’t quite so straight forward. There’s more to a peak than simply how high it is!
In reality, there are several factors that come into play which can considerably alter just how hard each of these hikes are, namely: fitness level, which route you take and what time of year you choose to climb.
Ben Nevis
Elevation: 1,345 metres (4,413ft)
Distance: 15.6km (via the Mountain Path)
Location: Western end of the Grampian Mountains
Snowdon
Elevation: 1,085 metres (3,560ft)
Distance: 13.96km (via the Llanberis Path)
Location: Snowdonia National Park, Gwynedd
Ben Nevis vs Snowdon
Figuring out exactly when you’re fit enough for Ben Nevis can be tough. Being the tallest mountain in Britain, there’s not much you can compare it to!
The peak comprises of unrelenting steep sections all the way to the summit, which also means coming back down is just as tough.
Likewise, while the footpath surface from the bottom is secure and dry (though heavy rain can change that), the upper portion of the hill is full of ragged and loose rock, making it particularly challenging to keep a steady footing.
Ben Nevis is around one third bigger than Snowdon (if you summit Snowdon via the Llanberis Path). The Llanberis Path can have you up and down in around 4-5 hours, whereas Ben Nevis’ Mountain Track may take novices anywhere upwards of 6 hours.
However, it must be said that the Llanberis path is largely touted as the easiest trail on Snowdon. There are several more adventurous routes up the mountain which some hikers may even find more difficult than Ben Nevis!
For more a more detailed rundown on Snowdon and the variety of routes on offer, be sure to check out our blog post linked below:
‘How Hard Is It To Climb Snowdon? How Long Does It Take To Walk?’
Which route are you taking?
The vast majority of Ben Nevis climbers take the Mountain Path, and while it is a slog, it’s relatively easy to follow and doesn’t require any serious scrambling.
On the other hand, if you take on Snowdon’s Watkin Path or Crib Goch trail, you’ll be faced with some precarious scramble segments with exposure that’ll surely have you legs feeling like jelly.
If you’re an experienced walker who isn’t great with heights, you may certainly feel these Snowdon routes are more challenging than the steady trail up Ben Nevis’ Mountain Path.
For more bold hikers, Ben Nevis also has an alternate way up the mountain that contains some solid grade 1 scrambling.
The CMD Arête trail is both longer and more daring than the Mountain Track – involving rugged, narrow and exposed scramble segments that prove equally exciting as it is exhausting.
It’s all about the weather
The time of year you climb will also play a major factor in determining the difficulty of each peak.
Ben Nevis is known for having the most ferocious weather in the whole of the UK, and each year experiences snowfall from September all the way until May.
Heavy snow will completely change the dynamics of your walk. Crampons, an ice axe and all the essential winter gear are a necessity if you wish to reach the summit in these conditions.
Likewise, Snowdon becomes substantially more difficult if attempted in winter. In addition to needing all the correct equipment, the footpath can become particularly hazardous to navigate.
The notoriously dangerous winter segment on Snowdon is called the Killer Convex. In heavy snow, the path isn’t visible and you’ll have to navigate your own way up (and back down) the very steep slope.
Are you doing the Three Peaks Challenge?
While Ben Nevis is noticeably bigger than Snowdon, if you’re completing both as part of the Three Peaks Challenge, then the order in which you tackle the mountains will absolutely affect your subjective experience of each climb.
The most common starting point for the Three Peaks is Ben Nevis, since it’s best to walk the largest mountain while your legs are at their freshest. This means Snowdon will be the last summit after completing Scafell Pike in the interim.
Trust me, it’s a whole new ball game hiking up Snowdon when you’ve already climbed two hefty peaks and are suffering from lack of sleep and poor nutrition.
During my recent attempt at the Three Peaks Challenge, the final steep section up the Llanberis path was absolutely grueling! It felt much more punishing than ascending Ben Nevis the day before.
Conclusion – Just how hard is Ben Nevis compared to Snowdon?
In general, summiting Ben Nevis is a challenging walk that’ll likely prove more difficult than reaching the peak of Snowdon.
It’s a considerably longer climb and has no equal in the whole of the UK when it comes to sheer size and elevation gain.
Nevertheless, if you can comfortably climb Snowdon, then Ben Nevis’ Mountain Path is definitely doable – providing you prepare accordingly and don’t attempt the hike during extreme weather.
While it is a long climb, the Mountain Path is easy to follow and doesn’t involve any serious scrambling. All that’s required is a good pair of walking legs and the determination to reach the summit!
Likewise, both mountains are host to some audacious routes that’ll certainly test your mettle, and for those taking on the Three Peaks Challenge, the order of your climbs will largely determine which is the most difficult of the two!
As always, please remember to keep safe and don’t be afraid to turn around if you don’t feel you can make it to the top comfortably.
Happy walking 🚶🚶
