Watch your feet as you zigzag up the rocky path to the left of Loch Meall an t-Suidhe. Don’t forget to turn around and admire the view of the loch behind you and the mountains ahead as you catch your breath.

Look up to see the impressive Red Burn as it cascades down the mountain! Look down at your peril from this high mountain path. When you stop to refuel or take in the view don’t forget to look to the skies – the mountain environment is ideal for spotting birds including the ptarmigan, raven and even golden eagle. Find out more about nature and wildlife on Ben Nevis.

After carefully following the narrow zig zag path of the Five Finger Gully you’ll find yourself on the final approach to the top. The ground may even out up here on the plateaux, but it’s still a tricky ascent with loose rocks under foot. In poor visibility the manmade cairns can help to navigate your way to the top, but if you are in any doubt of your route it’s safer to turn back.

You’ve made it to the highest point in the United Kingdom! In good weather you will be rewarded with excellent panoramic views, so don’t forget to pack a camera. The summit is home to the remains of Ben Nevis Observatory, which opened in 1882 and was in use until 1904, when part of the structure was taken over by the summit’s hotel, which remained open until 1916.

Don’t linger too long – you’ll want to return before nightfall, and your journey is only half way through! Although there is an emergency hut, it is not intended for planned used, but only as a last resort. Descent is by the same way you came up.

Only those with nerves of steel and hours of training can launch themselves launch themselves into the sky with a powermotor and circle Ben Nevis, but here you can get an idea of what it’s like. You’ll be rewarded with a gentle descent accompanied by amazing views of the mountains, Fort William and Loch Linnhe beyond. Can you spot the walking route up by Loch Meall an t-Suidhe?

If climbing the UK’s highest mountain just isn’t enough adventure for one day then paramotoring or tandem paragliding will surely give the whole experience the extra edge. Paramotoring involves a motor powered propeller that gives lift to your paraglider wing, and is best left up to accredited pilots. A tandem paragliding flight is the closest you can get to this experience without doing the full training.

Tackle the uneven ground and work your way up hill – make sure to look back and admire the views over to Eigg and Rum. You’ll be rewarded with a rest at Coire Lagan, a small loch set within a glacier-carved bowl of the coire. Take a minute or two to catch your breath and soak up the atmosphere.

This exposed rock face is a serious climb only for those with experience and not one for those scared of heights! Watch out for unstable scree as you make the steep ascent from the loch and on to Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. The climb to Collie’s Ledge can be bypassed if you are keen to get on to the Inaccessible Pinnacle.

There are a variety of routes up the Inaccessible Pinnacle on Sgurr Dearg dependent on weather, conditions and skill level. Be aware of loose rock as you climb. The most popular and moderately leveled climb is up the East Ridge, which rises 65 m (213 ft) into the sky. A narrow and exposed route with vertical drops on both sides, it is particularly disconcerting when the wind is blowing!

But when you reach the summit it feels like you’re on top of the world. Keep your eyes peeled for sea eagles! Then it’s time to abseil down and give yourself a big pat on the back for your nerves of steel.

Once out of the trees, be sure to take a look back to admire your first view of Loch Lomond. On some days you might even spot the unmistakable outline of the Cobbler (Ben Arthur) if you look north west.

Veer left on the path around the mountain hollow of Coire Corrach and up to the Sron Aonaich ridge. The climb then zig-zags up to the summit – be warned the weather can change both suddenly and dramatically up here!

Take in the views from the summit, it’s one of the best places to admire the sheer size of Loch Lomond and the astounding beauty of the surrounding area. See if you can pick out the peaks of Glen Coe and the Black Mount to the north. Over on the west you can see over to the hills of Argyll and Kintyre, and perhaps even the islands of Islay and Jura in the distance. Soak it all up.

See more mountain biking routes in the area.

Experienced walkers can choose the rockier descent of the Ptarmigan route, while mountain bikers can head back down the way they’ve come, keeping an eye out for walkers on the narrow single track.

Cycle onto the Sron Aonaich ridge where the gradient shallows and your speed will go through the roof! It’s here where a puncture is most likely, so be prepared. From the plateau the route winds steeply back down to Rowardennan. Congratulations, route complete!

St Margaret’s Loch is home to a number of swans and ducks, with geese taking up residence at certain times of the year. While it’s tempting to feed these pretty waterfowl, don’t give them bread or other processed foods - chopped vegetables will go down a treat though!

Uphill from St Margaret’s Loch you’ll find the remains of St Anthony’s Chapel on a rocky outcrop. It is thought to date back to the 1300s but fell into disuse after the Reformation in 1560. Nowadays it makes a great spot for taking pictures.

Catch your breath and take in the view - on a clear day you can see right out to Leith and across the Forth. Various paths up the hill converge as you make the final stretch to the summit. Watch your step as you walk up, it gets a little rocky near the top.

Once you’ve reached the summit you’ll be rewarded with the sight of a panoramic cityscape of Edinburgh from the trig point. Explore the rocky summit and, depending on the weather, you might be able to spot Bass Rock to the south-east, Fife to the north, and the Pentlands to the west too.