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A rare and special mountain environment

Ben Wyvis

Enjoy the peace at Ben Wyvis

Ben Wyvis (Bheinn Uais) stands alone and indomitable to the north of Inverness. Its brooding slopes and high whaleback ridge are magnets for hill walkers and the dotterel, a rare migratory bird which nests in the fragile carpet moss of the summit ridge. Climb to the top for magnificent views to Cairngorm and the Fannichs, or enjoy the forested lower slopes where aspen, birch and rowan grow beside a tumbling burn.

Please note - forests in this area have been affected by recent bad weather. We are working to check and clear any fallen trees but in the meantime some may be impassable and may be unsafe. For further information please contact the district office.

Parking Walking Mountain access

Life's essentials

The nearest toilets are at Silverbridge (open all year) and Rogie Falls (summer only). You'll find shops and places to eat in Contin and Strathpeffer.

Parking

The car park is small and can fill up quickly so plan to arrive early if you want a space. There's room for a few extra cars in a layby about ¼ mile (400 metres) along the road.

Give yourself time

The 4 mile (6.4 km) route to the summit of Ben Wyvis starts from the car park and climbs steeply up An Cabar before heading along the main ridge to the summit. It takes most people about six hours to walk to the summit and back.

Walking trails


Cycling trails


Mountain biking trails


The summit of Ben Wyvis is a National Nature Reserve managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. This is a uniquely harsh environment where Arctic-alpine plants shelter between rocks and one of Britain's toughest birds, the ptarmigan, lives all year round, changing its plumage from brown to white in winter. Over a mile (2 km) of springy moss carpets the summit ridge, an important breeding ground for the dotterel, while the mountain's lower slopes support a wonderfully diverse range of species and plants.

Even if you're not heading for the tops you can still enjoy a short climb through the trees of Garbat Forest to open hillside and big open views. The path is steep but well-surfaced for the first 2 ½ miles (4 km).

Read more in Scottish Natural Heritage's Ben Wyvis leaflet.

You’ll find detailed route descriptions for Ben Wyvis at Walkhighlands and Munromagic.

Although the hill path to the summit of Ben Wyvis is very popular and relatively easy, this is rugged country and you’ll need the right equipment and clothing. Check our advice on hillwalking before you set off.

Contact: North Highland Forest District

Address: The Links, Golspie Business Park, Golspie

Postcode: KW10 6UB

Telephone: 0300 067 6850

Email: northhighland@forestry.gsi.gov.uk


How to get here

From Inverness, follow the A9 north to the Tore roundabout. Take the second exit onto the A835 (for Ullapool) and stay on this road for about 21 miles (33.6 km). The car park for Ben Wyvis is to the east of the road, between Garve and Loch Glascarnoch, at grid reference NH 410 671

Using SatNav?

IV23 2PG is the nearest postcode, north of the car park.

Public transport

Sorry, there is no public transport within 2 miles of Ben Wyvis.

Nearby places

If you're heading west for the hills there's access to more hill paths from Achnashellach, Craig and Inverlael and a great high-level trail from Glenbrittle on Skye. Or you could take it easy at the sensational Rogie Falls and explore a world of exotic trees at Lael Forest Garden.


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For questions and complaints, please contact us directly.