How to (Not) Climb Ben Nevis. Scotland campervan trip. Hiking and camping in hail and snow.

We hiked Ben Nevis in hail and snow with no spikes or proper gear and turned back about two thirds of the way up. This is the full campervan trip from Glasgow, mistakes included.

Did we reach the top of Ben Nevis?
No. We turned back about two thirds up. The path had disappeared under snow, the weather kept changing, and hikers coming down told us they had needed spikes and ice axes near the top.

What went wrong before the hike?
We looked for a campsite in the dark, did not set up properly, and the stove did not work until I found a switch I had not turned on. Not mentioning the gear for hiking and camping we were lacking.

How much did the trip cost?
Campervan rental fee was £210.00

Chapters
0:00 Picking up a campervan in Glasgow and driving to Glen Nevis
3:14 Where can you park a campervan overnight near Ben Nevis?
5:10 What is a night in a campervan in Scotland like?
10:09 Why won't a campervan stove light? Empty canister or a missed switch
16:18 What are the biggest campervan mistakes for first-timers?
17:03 Starting the Ben Nevis hike at 12:20
20:28 What is Ben Nevis like in hail and snow?
25:49 What happens when the path disappears in snow on Ben Nevis?
27:35 Why did we turn back on Ben Nevis at two thirds?
29:06 Coming down Ben Nevis in ice, hail and sun
30:39 Back at the start: coming back more prepared

Trip details
Date: April 2026
Route: Glasgow to Glen Nevis, then the Ben Nevis hike
Ben Nevis is 1,345 metres, the highest mountain in the UK.

This is not route or safety advice. Conditions on Ben Nevis change quickly. Check the Mountain Weather Information Service and the Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecasts before you go.

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Camera: DJI Osmo Action 6