Carn Mor Dearg Arete (CMD) Guide
Fort William, Scotland
3 out of 5: Moderate
Up to 10 Hours
1:4
From £260
Carn Mor Dearg Arete (CMD) Overview
The Carn Mor Dearg (CMD) Arete is one of the most spectacular routes to the summit of Ben Nevis. This iconic ridge scramble combines breathtaking views across the North Face of Ben Nevis with an exhilarating scramble, making it a favourite among experienced hikers and mountaineers.
A guided ascent of the CMD Arete is the perfect way to safely navigate this rewarding route while taking in the dramatic landscapes of Scotland’s highest mountain. With a knowledgeable Ben Nevis guide, you’ll safely tackle the ridge, enjoying panoramic views of the North Face of Ben Nevis and the surrounding Munros. This day is Ideal for those with good fitness and some scrambling experience, the CMD Arete is an unforgettable challenge that takes you off the beaten path and provides a truly unique way to reach the summit of Ben Nevis.
At Northwest Mountaineering we offer private guiding year-round, on any day of the week. Get in touch with us to check availability and make a booking.
Length
Guided days on the CMD Arete are often between 10 and 11 hours, so be prepared for a big day on the UK's highest mountain.
Cost
Our guided CMD Arete days start at £260 per day for one person with a maximum size of 4 people
1 Person - £260
2 People - £290
3 People - £320
4 People - £350
Experience Needed
Reaching the summit of Britain’s highest mountain requires a strong level of fitness, and prior experience on other mountains is highly recommended.
When
Whenever suits you. Get in touch!
Something here about booking
Guided Ascent of Ben Nevis via CMD Arete
A guided ascent of the CMD Arete is the perfect way to safely navigate this rewarding route while taking in the dramatic landscapes of Scotland’s highest mountain. With a knowledgeable Ben Nevis guide, you’ll safely tackle the ridge, enjoying panoramic views of the North Face of Ben Nevis and the surrounding Munros. This day is Ideal for those with good fitness and some scrambling experience, the CMD Arete is an unforgettable challenge that takes you off the beaten path and provides a truly unique way to reach the summit of Ben Nevis.Meeting at 07:30/ 08:00 the CMD Arete scramble towards Ben Nevis begins with a steep hike from the North Face car park outside of Torlundy, ascending through beautiful birch and pine forests before joining a gentler path along the Allt a' Mhuilinn river. As we leave the forest, you’ll enjoy your first views of the day’s adventure: the towering Carn Mor Dearg summit on the left, the striking CMD Arete ahead, and the majestic North Face of Ben Nevis on the right.
Leaving the Allt a' Mhuilinn path, the route climbs steeply towards the summit of Carn Mor Dearg, offering breathtaking views of Lochaber, including Aonach Mor and across towards the Mamores. Reaching the summit of Carn Mor Dearg is a rewarding milestone, sitting within the top 10 highest Munros in Scotland. From here, the adventure continues with an exhilarating traverse across the CMD Arete—a narrow, rocky ridge with stunning views of Aonach Beag and the North Face of Ben Nevis.
The ridge leads directly to the summit of Ben Nevis, where you can take in panoramic views before descending via the Mountain Track towards the halfway lochan. From here, we'll traverse North onto rugged moorland, eventually winding back through the forest to the North Face car park. This unforgettable adventure combines an exciting scramble, spectacular scenery, and a unique approach to Britains highest mountain.
The CMD Arête requires good fitness, previous hillwalking experience, and basic scrambling skills, as the route includes a long ascent, uneven terrain, and hands-on rock sections.
Confidence with exposure and narrow ridgelines is recommended. A guide can enhance safety and enjoyment for those less familiar with this type of terrain.
At Northwest Mountaineering we run our Carn Mor Dearg Arete day to the summit of Ben Nevis between May and October, although we can run these days over winter, if this is something that interests you, please get in touch.
Prices
Our guided CMD Arete days start at £260 per day for one person with a maximum size of 4 people
1 Person - £260
2 People - £290
3 People - £320
4 People - £350
