An average time to the summit and back is 8 hours, four hours each way. It can take longer. Most accidents occur on the way down the mountain as it is just as arduous and walkers are tired.

Starting form the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre to the summit and back is roughly 10 mile/16 kilometres.

Once on the path, there are no signposts. In poor weather it will be difficult to follow the path so the ability to navigate with a map and compass is essential. Please do not rely solely on a mobile phone for navigation.

No, there is no requirement to register at The Visitor Centre unless you are in group of 10 or more, though always leave a note with someone of the route you are taking and when you expect to be home - and remember to check in with them when you get back!

No, but booking one can take a lot of stress out of the trip. Try these local guides out for starters:

• Abacus Mountain Guides

• Atlas Mountaineering

• Hunter Mountaineering

• Girls on Hills

The best forecast is found at MWIS.

None. Please take all rubbish down - this includes what you may think off as biodegradable e.g. orange peel, apple cores etc. There is a misapprehension that it will break up quickly but it is a fragile ecosystem where the climate takes a lot longer (two years for a banana skin and even longer the higher up you go!) than you might think to break it down. There are no toilets on Ben Nevis. Bag all sanitary waste/toilet tissue/faeces in a waste kit bag and walk it out. Do not leave waste on or buried in Ben Nevis - the volume of people on the mountain means this is not sustainable.

In some places, yes, though reception is patchy.

You cross a couple of streams lower down where it is possible to refill your bottle, though remember the water is untested and there are 1000 people on the hill in one day in summer months with no toilet facilities… Best to take your own - at least two litres in summer.

Dial 999 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Do not expect a rescue to be immediate and do not expect a helicopter. When in contact with the emergency services, be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your name and contact number

• The nature of the problem or injury

• Location, including grid reference if possible

• Name, age and medical history of casualty

• The weather conditions where you are

There is a shelter on the summit that is for emergency use only and helps to save lives - please respect this and do not use it as a toilet or camping area.

Have a read of this safety leaflet.