above sea level. Bridges from the Visitor Centre and the youth hostel now allow access from the west side of Glen Nevis. The path climbs steeply to the saddle by Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (colloquially known as the 'Halfway Lochan') at 570 m, then ascends the remaining 700 m up the stony west flank of Ben Nevis in a series of zig-zags.

A route popular with experienced hillwalkers starts at Torlundy, a few miles north-east of Fort William on the A82 road,