Holidays
Ben Nevis Challenge

Ben Nevis Challenge

Name: Ben Nevis Challenge
Brand: HF Holidays Limited
SKU: GLC03-CHA01
Price: 569 GBP
Availability: InStock

Alltshellach, Glencoe

Early Booking Offer

■ Location: Scottish Highlands

■ Duration: 3 nights at an HF Country House

■ Board Basis: Full Board

■ Travel Dates: Jul-Aug 2027

■ Itineraries available: 1

■ Choice of Walking Grade: 10 details

■ Carbon Footprint: 63kg CO2 details

Non-members From

£569

Members From

£539

Members Save £30 on this booking and get a whole range of extra exclusive benefits. Add HF Membership to your booking online. details

For group booking of 10 or more please click here

The lofty peak of Ben Nevis has long beckoned walkers and climbers up for a challenge. Its name translates as ‘mountain with its head in the skies’, and conquering Britain’s highest and most iconic mountain at 1344 metres above sea level (4,411ft) rewards with serious bragging rights and (on a clear day) staggering views over Glen Nevis and beyond. What’s more, staying at our cosy country house near Glen Coe means you’ll share the challenge with a small group of fellow, like-minded walkers, ready for the adventure.

Accommodation

HF Country House

For a combination of mountain views, olde-worlde charm, and somewhere comfortable to sleep, this stately Scottish house in North Ballachulish has an enviable setting right on the shores of Loch Leven. The walking opportunities here are as every bit rugged and romantic as you’d expect, especially around Glen Coe, the Mamores, Kinlochleven, Bidean nam Bian, and Ben Nevis – the 1,345-metre-high peak towering above glistening lochans and glacial valleys in the north-west Highlands. You can also spend time in Fort William and ride the Hogwarts-esque Jacobite steam train as it makes its way through beauty spots such as Loch Eil, Glenfinnan, and Arisaig to the fishing port of Mallaig.

Walking grades

From September 2026, we have expanded our walking grade scale from 6 to 10 points. While the holidays themselves have not changed (the routes, daily distances and ascent levels remain the same), our newly expanded 1-10 scale offers greater distinction between holidays and clearer grade descriptions, so you can choose a holiday that best suits you.

Challenging walking grade 10

Our most challenging walks are for very fit, experienced mountain walkers. These include long, steep, remote routes. Typically, 14+ miles (23+km) with over 3,300ft (1,000m) of ascent.

What You’ll Love

The sense of achievement at bagging Britain’s highest mountain
Sharing the experience with fellow walkers
Enjoying sociable evenings at our country house
Soaking up the increasingly jaw-dropping views as you climb the main track
Meeting like-minded walkers in a small, friendly group
A more personalised experience thanks to small group sizes (maximum 12 people)

What's Included

Comfortable en-suite accommodation in our country house
Cooked or continental breakfast every morning
Three-course evening meals, plus tea & coffee 
Guided walks with an experienced HF Holidays Leader 
All transport to and from walks where necessary

Itinerary

All our carefully-curated itineraries are designed by our experts. While we make every effort to adhere to the described itinerary, we may take alternative routes or adapt the running order for weather and/or operational reasons.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Day

                      Array
(
    [id] => 01kwy8k5jjwt024zwmeddh8s0b
    [title] => Arrival Day
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.
    [S] => 1
    [E] => 1
    [B] => 
    [L] => 
    [D] => 
    [content] => Array
        (
        )

    [shared] => Array
        (
            [content] => Array
                (
                )

        )

)

Check-in at the hotel is available from 16:00. If you are a member you can arrive at the house from 14:00. Enjoy a complimentary cream tea at 16:30 and meet other guests.

Day 2 A local leg stretcher

                      Array
(
    [id] => 01kwy4j855zjqbdg8d71ps522j
    [title] => A local leg stretcher
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => Distance: 8 miles (12.5km)  
Ascent: 3,200ft (980m)  
Today we'll go for a warm up walk where there's the chance to get to know each other. Our route climbs over undulating mountain ridges to the summit of Mam na Gualainn. From the top, Loch Leven stretches out below you, then we’ll carry on climbing to reach the summit of Beinn na Caillich. Afterwards we’ll descend to join the West Highland Way to Kinlochleven. 
    [S] => 2
    [E] => 2
    [B] => 
    [L] => 
    [D] => 
    [content] => Array
        (
        )

    [shared] => 
)

Distance: 8 miles (12.5km) 

Ascent: 3,200ft (980m) 

Today we'll go for a warm up walk where there's the chance to get to know each other. Our route climbs over undulating mountain ridges to the summit of Mam na Gualainn. From the top, Loch Leven stretches out below you, then we’ll carry on climbing to reach the summit of Beinn na Caillich. Afterwards we’ll descend to join the West Highland Way to Kinlochleven.

Day 3 Ben Nevis

                      Array
(
    [id] => 01kwy4j87ab9gj4txzvt0e3exk
    [title] => Ben Nevis
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => Distance: 10 miles (16.5km)
Ascent: 4,500ft (1,380m)
An early start sees us in beautiful Glen Nevis, under the towering hulk of ‘the Ben’s’ western slopes. Before you know it, we’ll be at the half-way Lochan, then counting down the series of huge zig zags up the flank of the mountain until we reach the magnificent rocky summit plateau. You’ll need to be able to keep a steady pace, but we’ll have plenty of stops to rest, eat, and stay hydrated. We’ll return the same way.
You’ll need to be reasonably fit with stamina (we allow up to nine hours in total for the whole journey including ascent and descent) and will need to have done some hill walking. The main track we follow (once a bridle path for ponies to access a now-ruined observatory on the summit) follows broad rocky slopes.
 
    [S] => 3
    [E] => 3
    [B] => 
    [L] => 
    [D] => 
    [content] => Array
        (
        )

    [shared] => 
)

Distance: 10 miles (16.5km)

Ascent: 4,500ft (1,380m)

An early start sees us in beautiful Glen Nevis, under the towering hulk of ‘the Ben’s’ western slopes. Before you know it, we’ll be at the half-way Lochan, then counting down the series of huge zig zags up the flank of the mountain until we reach the magnificent rocky summit plateau. You’ll need to be able to keep a steady pace, but we’ll have plenty of stops to rest, eat, and stay hydrated. We’ll return the same way.

You’ll need to be reasonably fit with stamina (we allow up to nine hours in total for the whole journey including ascent and descent) and will need to have done some hill walking. The main track we follow (once a bridle path for ponies to access a now-ruined observatory on the summit) follows broad rocky slopes.

Day 4 Departure Day

                      Array
(
    [id] => 01kwy8k5se9tf83kzad61d8kx4
    [title] => Departure Day
    [introduction] => 
    [description] => Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.
    [S] => 4
    [E] => 4
    [B] => 
    [L] => 
    [D] => 
    [content] => Array
        (
        )

    [shared] => Array
        (
            [content] => Array
                (
                )

        )

)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making your way home.

View all

Accommodation

Alltshellach, Glencoe

A warm welcome
We want you to feel comfortable from the moment you arrive. You’ll find a welcome pack in your room with guest registration forms, menus, order forms for dinners and picnic lunches, the Wi-Fi password, and the front door code. Our houses are locked at night, so we recommend noting the Duty Manager’s number on arrival in case of an emergency (or getting locked out).

Evening entertainment

While evening entertainment varies from house to house, HF Holidays Inter-House Quiz night held after dinner on Wednesdays is a weekly staple. Your HF Holidays leader may be around for tips on guided and self-guided waking routes as well as visit-worthy local attractions.

Walks talks
Our HF Holidays walk leaders host guided walking information briefings before dinner on guided walking holiday arrival days. This is followed by a group Walks Talk for information on the following day’s guided walks (held before dinner every evening). Self-guided walking guests are, of course, welcome.

The walking day
Prior to setting off on guided walks, your HF Holidays Leader will run you through a short safety briefing. There’s also an up-to-date weather forecast on display at the house to ensure you have appropriate clothing and footwear. If you choose to do your own walks or are on a self-guided walking holiday, we ask that you please complete an Independent Walker Card each day. These can be found near the Discovery Point in the house.

10682_0066 - Alltshellach - Entrance Lounge

10682_0075 - Alltshellach - Entrance Lounge

10682_0063 - Alltshellach - Discovery Point Lounge

10682_0061 - Alltshellach - Discovery Point Lounge

10682_0051 - Alltshellach - Discovery Point Lounge

You are welcome to check in from 4pm at the earliest. HF Members can check in earlier, from 2pm. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a complimentary cream tea and get to meet your fellow guests, our HF Holidays Leaders, and the rest of the friendly team. Check out 10am.

• 38 well-appointed guest rooms • Exclusive occupancy: 53 guests minimum • Check in from 4:00pm • For members check in from 2:00pm • Full-board (including cream tea on arrival) • Free Wi-Fi • Free on-site parking • Boot room and drying room • 2 travel cots & 2 high chairs • Discovery Point offering a wide range of local area maps, route guides, and information for self-guided walks • Indoor pool • Books and games to borrow • Licensed bar • Three lounges • Lawns and wooded grounds leading down to Loch Leven • Electric vehicle charging point - Please note, you will need to bring your own cables to use this EV charging point

The pool opening hours: 7am -12pm and 4:30pm-9pm

Seasonal dining, tailored for you

Our team of skilled chefs design our dinner menus to showcase the best of each season, from warming winter comfort food to vibrant summer dishes, including vegetarian, vegan and high-protein options. We also source fruit and vegetables within a 40-mile radius of each house, open every break with a Chef’s Special menu inspired by dishes and flavours of the local area, and are able to adapt dishes to suit special dietary requirements.

Welcome Cream Tea

What better way to start your stay than with a cream tea, served fresh on arrival to make you feel instantly at home. A quintessentially English tradition, our scones are baked in-house and served with preserves and clotted cream, providing the perfect opportunity to meet fellow walkers.

A hearty breakfast to start the day

Start the day with a freshly-prepared cooked breakfast and a wide choice from our continental buffet, including hot drinks, juices and fresh fruit. Our team offer a quick and friendly service, leaving you fuelled and ready for your day’s adventures.

Our famous picnic lunch

Our personalised picnic lunches are perfect for a day out walking, ready to enjoy when hunger strikes. Choose from a large selection of fresh sandwiches and salads, freshly baked cakes and snacks, including the ever-popular Freddos chocolate bar! Everything is designed to fit neatly into your rucksack, and all of the packaging we provide is recyclable or compostable.

3-course evening meals

Our à la carte evening menus feature a wide choice of starters, mains, and desserts, made with seasonal ingredients and, wherever possible, herbs and vegetables from our own gardens. Shared around sociable tables, dinners are relaxed occasions, with drinks available to order at the table or from the bar, and a traditional Sunday roast to round off the week.

Designed with your comfort in mind, Alltshellach has 38 well-appointed guest rooms available in three categories: Classic, Premium, and Superior.

Classic Rooms are comfortable en-suite guest rooms, ideal for a peaceful night's sleep. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, and shower gel), and a TV.

Premium Rooms are more spacious en-suite guest rooms*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

Superior Rooms are even more spacious en-suite guest rooms offering upgraded views of the surroundings*. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, tea and coffee-making facilities, toiletries (hand wash, shampoo, body lotion, shower gel), and a 32-inch TV. Extras include bathrobes, slippers.

We love: Room 21 for its extra space, corner position, and gorgeous views across Loch Leven. Equally fabulous is Room 23 (known as the Bishop’s Room) on the second floor.

The Choose Your Room service is available at our UK country houses, allowing you the option of choosing and confirming a specific room for an extra charge of £30 per room. This is subject to availability. Upgrade supplements apply.

Room supplements

Superior	Premium single	Premium double/twin	Choose your room
£25 pppn	£20 pppn	£20 pppn	£30 per room

*Views and layout reflect each properties unique character and location

*Please note, pool opening hours are: 07:00am – 09:00am 16:00pm – 18:30pm

For accessibility and assistance information, please contact our expert team on 020 3974 8865 or view the accessibility information online for Alltshellach

Getting here

Address

Alltshellach
Onich
Fort William
Invernesshire PH33 6SA

Tel: +44 (0)1855 821357

HF Holidays Sales and Support Team

Telephone: +44 (0) 208 0155108

Email: reservations@hfholidays.co.uk

(our office customer support team are happy to help with any requests or queries you may have for the house)

NEW: Return Flights from London Heathrow to Glasgow, plus airport transfers to Alltshellach only £350pp. Call us to book

By HF Holidays Shared Transfer

We offer group transfers for your convenience/peace of mind on Saturdays, or over the festive period. Available transfers will show as options on the booking page, if appropriate, for your requested holiday date/s.

2026 Prices: £85 per person for a return transfer, or £55 per person for a single transfer.

Outward journey: Depart Glasgow Buichanan Street Bus Station at 15:15, or Glasgow Airport at 15:45. Arrive at Alltshellach approx. 18:30.

Return journey: Depart Alltshellach at 09:30, arrive at Glasgow Airport at approx. 11:30 or Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station at approx. 12:00

These transfers are at additional cost and MUST be booked in advance via our website, by email or with our team over the phone (please see above contact info for the Sales & Support Team. Thank you.

By Road

From Glasgow (or the south) take the A82 towards Crianlarich then Fort William. Once you reach Ballachulish go straight on at the roundabout, over the steel bridge and take the second right onto the B863 towards Kinlochleven. Once you've turned onto the B863, continue around 400 yards and you will find Alltshellach on your right. 

From Fort William (or the north) take the A82 southbound towards Glencoe. Once you reach North Ballachulish, turn left onto the B863 towards Kinlochleven (if you've reached the steel bridge at Ballachulish then you've gone too far). Once you've turned onto the B863, continue around 400 yards and you will find Alltshellach on your right. 

By Taxi

Alltshellach is an approx. 25 mins taxi journey from Fort William. There are frequent train services along the west coast between Glasgow and Fort William. Please see the 'By Train' section for further information. Taxi companies to consider include the below:

West Highland Taxis Tel: 01855 831495, jamie@westhighlandtaxis.com 

Nevis Taxis Tel: 01397 703000, nevistaxi@hotmail.com

Lochaber Taxis Tel: 01397 703334, pedro@lochabertaxis.com 

Alltshellach is approx. 97 miles from Glasgow city centre, which takes around 2h30 and is a considerable cost by taxi; we would suggest using public transport in the first instance as the most reasonable option.  

By Bus

For journey planning, including for any bus, coach, ferry, Glasgow Subway or Edinburgh Tram service in Scotland, we recommend using www.travelinescotland.com for the most up to date information. There is also an app you can download or you can call 01421 465 1878 for further information. 

Alltshellach's closest bus stop is North Ballachulish, at/opposite Kinlochleven Road End on A82. You can request that your driver stop here (there is no need to continue on to Fort William - however please check timetables that the bus is scheduled to stop at North Ballachulish). The bus stop is approx. 0.4 mile (or 8 mins) walk away from Alltshellach, on flat pavement. There is no need to cross the steel bridge. The bus stop is on the A82; disembark here and then turn onto the B863 towards Kinlochleven, and Alltshellach is 400 yards on your right.  We regret that HF staff are not permitted to collect/drop you at the bus station for insurance reasons.

The bus to/from Glasgow and North Ballachulish takes approx. 2h45. The main bus station in Glasgow is Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow City. 

The bus between Edinburgh and North Ballachulish takes approx. 3h40 or longer. The main bus station in Edinburgh is Edinburgh Bus Station, City of Edinburgh.

If you are travelling by train and arriving into (or departing from) Fort William, then there is a bus service between Fort William and North Ballachulish, which takes approx. 25 mins, and at peak times the service runs approx every 30 mins. 

Ember also run electric bus services across Scotland, including to Fort William. For further information see https://www.ember.to/

By Train

The nearest train station to Alltshellach is Fort William. 

For journey planning by rail, please visit www.scotrail.co.uk. You can also view handy maps of Scotrail routes here; https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/our-routes 

Trains operate between Glasgow Queen Street and Fort William, and the journey time is approx. 3h50; this is a scenic journey on what is often known as the 'West Highland Line'. 

There is a bus service between Fort William and North Ballachulish, which takes approx. 25 mins, and at peak times the service runs approx every 30 mins. Please see the 'By Bus' section on this webpage. 

If you plan to travel from Edinburgh to Fort William, then there are trains between Edinburgh Waverley station and Glasgow. There are two train stations in Glasgow offering services to/from Edinburgh; Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen Street, and it is a short 10 mins walk between the two (or you can take a taxi). 

By Air

The nearest airport to Alltshellach is Glasgow Airport (GLA), which is around 87 miles away by road. For information on flights, car hire and other services from the airport, please visit https://www.glasgowairport.com/ 

There is an official bus service connecting the Glasgow Airport and the city centre (Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station); journey times from just 15 mins, aboard a fleet of electric buses. Airport Express Service 500 is operated by First Glasgow; please see https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/glasgow-airport-express-service-500/ for further information. From the city centre, you can take a train and/or bus north to Alltshellach; please see those relevant sections for further information. 

Other than the above mentioned Airport Express Service, regular buses from the airport to the city centre (Buchanan Bus Station) take between 30 mins and 1hr, dependent on the service you choose and traffic.  Please visit www.travelinescotland.com for further journey planning. 

Please note, Glasgow is served by two airports; the main Glasgow Airport (GLA) is located approx. 8 miles west of the city centre, in Paisley. There is also Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) which is located about 32 miles southwest of the city, in Ayrshire. 

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is around 114 miles by road from Alltshellach. For information on flights, car hire and other services from the airport, please visit https://www.edinburghairport.com/ 

There is a convenient tram service between the airport and Edinburgh city centre, taking approx. 30 mins. For further information please see https://edinburghtrams.com/. 

There are Scottish Citylink bus services between Edinburgh Airport and Glasgow, taking around 1h20. For information regarding transport links between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, please see https://www.edinburghairport.com/transport-links 

More Information

The UK has a famously unpredictable climate so it's best to be prepared for weather that’s sunny one minute and raining the next.  To make it easier, here’s a list of items you should consider packing.  

Essentials 

Suitable footwear such as waterproof walking boots that provide ankle support and good grip 
Waterproof and windproof jacket
Comfortable clothing (jeans & waterproof capes are not suitable) 
Mid-layer(s) to keep you warm. Fleeces make a good choice
Waterproof overtrousers 
Gloves and a warm hat
Rucksack with waterproof liner
Flask for hot drinks  
Water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity) 
Sunscreen 
UV sunglasses

For holidays operating October through to the end of March, please also bring the following on your walks:

spare warm clothing
spare high energy food
head torch and spare batteries
please note for the October to March season your waterproof jacket needs to offer a high level of waterproofing and wind resistance, and a hood. Look for a waterproof jacket with sealed/taped seams and a minimum HH (hyrodstatic head - this is the rating given on waterproof jackets) of 10,000mm+

Recommended 

Several base layers (long-sleeve or short-sleeve) 
Cushioned walking socks to avoid blisters 
First aid kit, including plasters and insect repellent and tick remover tool
Sit mat  
Waterproof pouch for valuables 
Rubbish bag (remember to always leave no trace) 
Wallet/purse 
Camera
Walking poles

Carbon Footprint - 63kg CO2

We see it as our responsibility to minimise our emissions, not just for this year but every year to come. Our work with sustainability experts, ecollective, has enabled us to measure our carbon footprint and create a strategy to reduce the carbon intensity of our product by 5% each year. Our ambition is to be net zero by 2040 – earlier if we can.

Learn more

Reviews

Code: GLC03-CHA01

Dates & availability

Ben Nevis Challenge

2027

Early Booking Offer Save £50 Per Person

2 Jul - 5 Jul 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

~~£619~~ £569

Members

~~£589~~ £539

Single rooms

~~£649~~ £599

~~£619~~ £569

Book Now

Early Booking Offer Save £50 Per Person

27 Aug - 30 Aug 2027

3 nights. Trip notes

Twin & double rooms

Non-members

~~£619~~ £569

Members

~~£589~~ £539

Single rooms

~~£769~~ £719

~~£739~~ £689

Book Now

Northern England

Central England

Southern England

Other Locations

Guided Walking

Other Holiday Types

Locations

Northern England

Central England

Southern England

Scotland

Wales

More Information

Our Offers

Early Booking Offers

Compliments of HF

Deal Of The Week

About HF Holidays

Our Trips

Booking Information

Sustainable Travel

Ben Nevis Challenge

Accommodation

HF Country House

Walking grades

What You’ll Love

What's Included

Itinerary

Itinerary

Accommodation

Alltshellach, Glencoe

Check-In & Check-Out

About

Food & drink

Rooms

Accessibility

Getting here

Address

NEW: Return Flights from London Heathrow to Glasgow, plus airport transfers to Alltshellach only £350pp. Call us to book

By HF Holidays Shared Transfer

By Road

By Taxi

By Bus

By Train

By Air

More Information

Packing list

Carbon Footprint - 63kg CO2

Reviews

2027

2 Jul - 5 Jul 2027

27 Aug - 30 Aug 2027

Include flights from the UK

Call us to enquire

Itinerary

Trusted British co-operative

Flexible choice of guided walks

Book early with confidence

Book with confidence

Travel with confidence

HF Holidays

Get our latest articles and promotions straight to your inbox

Your Wishlist

{{ result.name }}

Get our latest articles and promotions
straight to your inbox