Ben Nevis via the Mountain Track

Ben Nevis ('The Ben') is the highest mountain in the British Isles, standing at 1,345 meters (4,413 ft) above sea level. Located beside the town of Fort William, the most popular route to the summit is the 'Mountain Track' (historically the Pony Track). Starting near sea level in Glen Nevis, this relentless out-and-back trail demands over 1,300 meters of vertical ascent. The path climbs through verdant lower slopes, crosses the rushing Red Burn, and ascends steep, rocky zig-zags to a true alpine environment. The summit is a broad, boulder-strewn plateau often capped in snow year-round, featuring the ruins of an 1883 meteorological observatory and scenic (if clear) views extending to Northern Ireland.

This two-day Patagonia hike leads to Refugio Otto Meiling on the slopes of Cerro Tronador, one of the most prominent peaks in the Bariloche region. The route climbs through coihue and lenga forests before emerging onto a high rocky ridge that culminates at the refuge (1,905m). Positioned between the Castaño Overa and Alerce glaciers, the stay offers a unique opportunity to witness active glacial calving. The trail follows a well-defined path of forest floor and alpine rock, with a final sustained push to reach the rocky spine where the hut perches.