Youth hostel at the foot of Ben Nevis makes perfect space for outdoor adventures
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Situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, it’s hard to think of a better spot for an overnight stay – especially if you like climbing hills.
The youth hostel in Glen Nevis, operated by Hostelling Scotland, had a £2.1 million revamp in 2018 and offers a spectacular outlook over Britain’s highest mountain.
Not that you could see much of it on my recent stay. Fort William isn’t the driest spot in the country, but branding itself as the Outdoor Capital of the UK it certainly makes the most of a spectacular situation, whatever the conditions.
Even in late winter, there was a row of headtorches heading down the ‘tourist path’ from the Ben as I pulled into the small car park behind the hostel.
As you might expect, the accommodation is geared up for climbers and hill walkers, with a big drying room and plenty of space to unload for those coming off the hill – or back from any other adventure.
There’s much more than Ben Nevis to focus on in the area too, with world-class mountain biking nearby, forest trails and glen walks, as well as the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way just a stone’s throw from the door.
There’s also sea kayaking not far away, and then there’s the Jacobite steam train that follows the West Highland Line over the Glenfinnan viaduct – much of the area was highlighted at the recent Fort William Mountain Festival.
Whatever activity you’ve got planned, the hostel offers a comfortable bed for a reasonable budget, with a choice of dorm or private rooms. Each bed has its own lamp and USB sockets for charging devices, as well as lockable storage boxes for securing valuables while you are out and about.
This is a five-star hostel and the common spaces are excellent, with an open-plan living area with open fire and plenty of tables and chairs of various sizes and styles.
There was a friendly welcome when I arrived, as probably one of the more local guests – people stay here from all over the world, with the path up the Ben starting just across the road.
The self-catering kitchen is well equipped but looks like it might get a bit cramped when the hostel is full. I headed into the Fort for food and opted for the paid-for breakfast rather than doing my own thing on this occasion.
Outside the building there is a wonderful decking area which makes a perfect spot to sit and watch the mountain – at least in the summertime. It was a bit cold to spend much time just sitting around, so I made the most of my short stay by heading out on the lower-level trails to warm up.
With plenty of outdoor adventures to enjoy here, the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel makes a great base to take advantage of everything on offer – not just the Ben!
For more information on the hostel, see www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/hostels/glen-nevis
