Bad weather Archives - The Best Viewpoints

Happy tourist at the highest point of Denmark Møllehøj

January 21, 2024 • 0 Comment

All about Møllehøj: A surprising adventure to the highest spot in Denmark

Denmark is proud of having the lowest highest mountain of the whole European Union. Despite that, it’s very difficult to reach the peak. Why? Even Danish people are confused about their highest point and most of them don’t know which point is the highest. In fact, there are four mountains in Denmark where a sign claims it’s the highest one. In this article, I will explain everything you need to know before you “climb” the real highest point of the country – Møllehøj.

What is the highest point of Denmark?

Let’s start with the most important and actually a pretty complicated question. It’s funny because many Danes regard Himmelbjerget as the highest point of Denmark these days. The mountain’s name in English means “the heaven mountain” and it actually really looks like a mountain which is very unique for the Danish landscape. It also offers a surprisingly beautiful view (from Denmark’s perspective). All Danes regarded this place as the highest point until the end of 19^th century and many still do these days.

It is however 30 m lower than Møllehøj, situated 30 km away. You might think now that here the complicated story of the highest Danish point finishes but it actually just starts. Møllehøj is not easy to reach either. The problem is that there is another hill called Ejer Bavnehøj only 300 m away with a majestic observation tower. It was built in 1924 to celebrate the new discovery of the new highest point of the country. Unfortunately, it was the highest only until until 2005 when a thorough research and measurements were made. The research found out that the highest peak is Møllehøj with 170.86 m compared to only 170.35 m at Ejer Bavnehoj.

To make it even more complicated, there is one more mountain called Yding Skovhøj which is 172.54 m high. You might think: “Omg. So they changed the highest point for the third time!” Here, the story goes another way though. It is the highest but it was man-made. There is a Bronze Age burial mound on the top without which Yding Skovhøj is a little lower than Møllehøj and therefore isn’t accepted as the highest point of the country.

Important information for reaching Møllehøj

Short description of the ascent : Short walk 
Essential equipment: No special equipment needed
Best time to visit: All year around
Fees or restrictions: No
Camping allowed: No
Nearest accommodation/food supply: Food and drinks in a shop at Ejer Bavnehøj Accommodation: Den Hvide Farm (nearest), Fredensholm Annex (best review)
Height of the peak: 171 m
Distance to the top: 291 m (one way)
Time to ascend from Ejer Bavnehøj to Møllehøj: 5 min
Elevation climbed: 5 m 
Water availability on the mountain: A shop or a toilet at Ejer Bavnehøj
Difficulty level: * (6 stars maximum) 
Personal rating of the mountain: * (6 stars maximum) 
Beer on the peak: Klosterbryg (fusion of an English Strong Ale and a Danish Strong Lager) **** (6 stars maximum)

Map of the walk to Møllehøj

My story of reaching the highest point of Denmark including personal tips

I visited the highest point of Denmark as a part of the European Peaks project during which I climbed the highest point of every European country. My arrival from Lithuania to Denmark was a bit sad. My plane landed in Billund, just next to the famous Legoland and that’s a dream of every boy. Unfortunately for little Jarda, I had another mission – to climb the highest point of Denmark.

*View from the mountain Himmelbjerget; Nikon 20mm f/1.8; single exposure*

We are at a wrong mountain

I didn’t plan to visit the highest point of Denmark on my own. I met my friend Alča and my girlfriend Joanne in Aarhus and together with Alča’s Danish boss we set out for our journey towards the Danish highest peak. The only Dane of our group took the lead and drove us to the highest peak. The problem occurred when I checked the map. We ended up on the wrong highest peak. My friend Alča and her boss thought the highest mountain of Denmark is Himmelbjerget. It makes sense. It actually really looks like a mountain and you have a nice view from there. All Danes regarded this place as the highest point until the end of 19^th century.

They wanted to start a picnic there to celebrate reaching the highest point but I had to be against it. I explained them the whole problem of the highest point of Denmark (see above) and we continued towards Møllehøj.

Tower at Ejer Bavnehoj in Denmark — *Tower at Ejer Bavnehoj; DJI Phantom 4 Pro; Panorama consisting of 6 pictures in two rows + 3times bracketing*

Smelly Møllehøj

We parked the car at the second highest point of the country Ejer Bavnehøj which boasts of a huge observation tower and headed towards Møllehøj. There we found out that there is only a small stone on the highest peak and next to it you can find a large cow farm. You can choose then. Either take a view from the second highest point and its tower or listen to loud cow’s moo and enjoy a great rural atmosphere on the highest peak.

*Cow farm next to Møllehøj. I am the tiny blue dot; DJI Phantom 4 Pro; Single Exposure*

A pity that we witnessed the typical Danish weather with strong wind, clouds and occasional rains. We planned a picnic on the peak but instead we decided to have it at Alča’s place. Anyway, it was fun to hunt the highest peak of Denmark and I am glad we made it.

On top of the highest point of Denmark Møllehøj — *On top of the highest point of Denmark; Nikon 20mm f/1.8; single exposure*

My tips for Møllehøj

Read beforehand which mountain is the highest. On each peak they will claim that their mountain is the highest.
Be careful about the Danish weather.
If you want to stay in Danish country side overnight, book accommodation nearby Møllehøj at Den Hvide Farm (nearest), or at Fredensholm Annex (better review)

View from the highest point of Poland - Rysy

December 31, 2023 • 0 Comment

Essential guide to climbing the highest point of Poland – Rysy

The High Tatras including Rysy are sharp and beautiful mountains on the border between Slovakia and Poland. After visiting the highest peak of every European country, I regard them even as one of the most beautiful mountain range in the whole Europe. Hikes in the high Tatras are wonderful and summit to Rysy definitely belongs to them too. Follow this article for all information you need before your visit to Rysy. I provide all practical information, a map and my personal experience.

Important information for climbing Rysy

Short description of the ascent from Štrbské Pleso: Hike with easy scrambling on the way
Essential equipment: Standard hiking gear
Best time to visit: 15th June - 1st November (the route is closed during winter)
Fees or restrictions: Yes, the route is closed between 1st November and 15th June, there is a small fee at the entrance of the national park if you decide to climb Rysy from Polish side
Camping allowed: No 
Nearest accommodation/food supply: Chata pod Rysmi
Recommended accommodation before the hike: From Poland - Zakopane; from Slovakia -  Popradské Pleso hotel
Height of the peak: 2499 m 
Hiking distance from Štrbské Pleso: 9.6 km (one way)
Time to ascend to Rysy: 4-6 hours up, 2-4 hours back
Elevation climbed: 1201 m
Water availability on the mountain: Chata pod Rysmi
Difficulty level: *** (6 stars maximum)
Personal rating of the mountain: ***** (6 stars maximum) 
Beer on the peak: Salus Tatranský pšeničný speciál 13 (wheat beer) *** (6 stars maximum)

What is the best route to Rysy?

From the Polish Side:

1. From Palenica Białczańska via Morskie Oko: To get to the start of this route hikers usually stay at Zakopane where you can find a great choice of accommodation as well as good food, drinks and entertainment. From there you can take a car or bus to the trailhead at Palenica Białczańska. The hike takes you through the scenic Tatra National Park, passing the beautiful Morskie Oko lake. Until Morskie Oko, the trail is very popular and the route can be crowded. An early start is highly recommended. From there, the trail continues to the Rysy summit. The final section involves a bit of scrambling and the trail is secured with a via ferrata. Check out map of the hike.

From the Slovak Side:

2. From Štrbské Pleso via Popradské Pleso:

This route begins in Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia, a popular mountain village with a lot of options of nice accommodation. The trail leads than through the picturesque Popradské Pleso lake where you could also possibly start your hike if you want to make it a bit shorter. There is a pleasant hotel where you can take a rest before your hike and it brings you an opportunity to start the hike to Rysy earlier than other hikers from Štrbské Pleso.

From Popradské Pleso the route is known for its beautiful alpine scenery, with several mountain lakes along the way. The final stretch to the summit involves some steep sections, including the rocky and exposed Pyramid section, which leads to the highest point. You can find a cozy mountain hut Chata pod Rysmi just 250 elevation meters under the peak. I highly recommend to stay over at this hut if you would like to witness a wonderful sunrise/sunset from the top of Rysy. Take a look at the map. We’ll take a deeper look at this route in this article.

Map of the best route to Rysy

My story of climbing the highest mountain of Poland – Rysy with personal tips

I climbed Rysy both from the Polish and Slovakian side. The Polish route is a bit more challenging and exposed but otherwise both of them are very beautiful. In this article I will explain to you the Slovakian route which I took during my expedition European Peaks during which I climbed the highest point of every European country.

After a warm-up at Sněžka in the Czech Republic I finally headed to real mountains. I very much looked forward to the High Tatras mountains because when I was born these mountains still belonged to my country Czechoslovakia. Now the Tatras are shared just between Slovakia and Poland after the Czechoslovakian state split in 1993.

While waiting for better weather you can climb another mountain

Bad weather in Slovakia made me change my plan for the first time during my expedition. I wanted to climb the highest mountain of Slovakia Gerlachovský Štít first but the weather was so bad for three days that it was impossible. Luckily it was not difficult to find an alternative plan. We just followed the simple rule: It doesn’t rain in pubs, cafes and restaurants so we tasted some local specialties and loaded some energy.

The weather forecast was not much better for the following day either but my time was running out so I couldn’t afford to wait any longer. In the end my father and I decided to visit mountain Rysy first despite an expected shower and try to attempt to summit Gerlachovský Štít later during better weather.

The perfect hike for beginners

The Polish highest point Rysy is much easier to summit than Gerlachovský Štít. There is a very nice path leading to the top and there is also a cabin called Chata pod Rysmi just 200 m below it. You can use it for a break with some snack on the way up or even stay overnight. This cabin became our goal the first day. Then depending on the weather we wanted to summit Rysy either in the evening or during the following morning to catch beautiful light on the top.

*Mountain Rysy during a sunny day (captured during our descent); camera Nikon D750; lens Nikon 35mm, f/1.8; Panorama consisting of 4 pictures*

Unfortunately, we had to choose the easier way up from Slovakian side. The way up from the Polish side is much more exposed and we didn’t want to risk any danger. The weather forecast was not good so we started our trip from Popradské Pleso. The big advantage of the High Tatras is that you can reach the entrances to the national park by train. This place was not an exception.

Hiking to Rysy from Slovakia

We took a lunch at Popradské Pleso and my father felt so strong after eating the local goulash that he accepted a challenge to bring some supply to the mountain cabin Chata Pod Rysmi. This cabin works on an amazing principle. Since there is no road leading to it the only way to carry food and other products to the local restaurant is on people’s backs. If you manage to carry more than 5 kg to the hut you will receive a reward – a hot tea. The cabin has been working on this voluntary principle since its opening and it has worked perfectly so far. I am proud of my father who managed to take up 5 kg of beer. I was happy with my 20 kg of climbing and camera equipment so I sadly didn’t help this time.

Supply to Chata pod Rysmi — *My father packing his 5 kg extra to bring it to the cabin; camera Nikon D750; lens Sigma 35mm, f/1.4; Single Exposure*

Snow surprise at Rysy

The weather forecast was correct! We were halfway to the cabin when a storm came. To our surprise it was not raining though but snowing. After half an hour the High Tatras received 5 cm of fresh snow. Very surprising for the 1st of July. Luckily the path uphill was so steep that we never got cold.

Just before reaching the mountain hut the storm finished and dark clouds disappeared. Suddenly, we got an amazing view over surrounding mountains. I especially liked the view from the local latrine. Amazing place if you need to poo.

*Latrine close to the cabin Pod Rysmi; camera Nikon D750; lens Nikon 20mm, f/1.8; Panorama consisting of 6 pictures + 2x exposure bracketing*

The cosy hut Pod Rysmi

Since we managed to ascent 1000 m and ended up in a small blizzard we got hungry. We ordered typical Slovak food “Halušky s bryndzou” and to our surprise the food was better and cheaper than back in the valley! This cabin is amazing!

Unfortunately, clouds came back while we were eating so we didn’t go up to the mountain Rysy that day. Instead, we joined a little party with Slovak, Czech and Dutch visitors. There was a perfect atmosphere. Nobody was checking Facebook since there was no signal. We played cards under candlelight since there was no electricity and drank chilled beers taken up by my father. As a bonus the children of the cabin manager played relaxing piano songs.

*Cozy atmosphere at cabin Pod Rysmi; lens Sigma 35mm, f/1.4; Single Exposure*

Next day I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to go up for sunrise. When I came to the window though I found out that the fog is even thicker than last night so I decided to continue sleeping. We woke up later at 6 a.m. but the weather was still the same. We took an excellent breakfast and wanted to go up. The weather was worse and worse though so we ordered some mulled wine. This order made my slightly impatient father able to wait a bit longer and finally at around 10 a.m. the weather started to improve. Time to go!

Waiting paid off

It took only one hour to summit the peak. The problem was which is the right one? The mountain Rysy has three peaks- the highest, the middle and the lowest. Instinctively I climbed the highest (2503 m) one but when looking on my map I realized that it was not the highest point of Poland. The peak I was standing on was lying in Slovakia. That’s why I had to descent to the middle one which lies on the border with Poland and that was finally the correct peak.

Our timing couldn’t be better. The clouds disappeared just when we arrived and we had a wonderful view over winter on the peaks and summer in the valleys.

Panoramic view from Rysy mountain — *View from Rysy mountain; Nikon 20mm, f/1.8; Panorama consisting of 7 pictures + 2x exposure bracketing*

View over the second highest mountain in Slovakia - Lomnický Štít — *View over the second highest mountain in Slovakia – Lomnický Štít; Nikon 200-500mm, f/5.6; Panorama consisting of 5 pictures*

Then, we had to go back in the valley. The 10 km long descent to Popradské Sedlo was tiring but still okay. The problem was that once we received phone coverage again we found out that the weather forecast for the following day is perfect. That meant only one thing: we have to move to the starting point of the climb to Gerlachovský Štít which is an additional 15 km hike. Good that it went smoother at least thanks to this awesome guide. We made it to the hut Sliezský Dom late in the evening.

A goat in High Tatras — *Our guide on the way to Sliezsky Dom; lens Nikon 85mm, f/1.8; Single Exposure*

My tips for the mountain Rysy:

Recommended accommodation before the hike: From Poland – Zakopane; from Slovakia – Popradské Pleso hotel
If you decide to climb the mountain Rysy, stay at the cabin Chata Pod Rysmi. It was for sure one of the most cozy accommodations on my whole expedition.
Summit both the highest and the middle peak of Rysy. Surprisingly, the middle peak is the highest point of Poland.
Help the mountain cabin Pod Rysmi and bring up at least a bit of supply. If you feel strong enough, you can bring over 5 kg and you will get a free tea.

View at Snezka, highest mountain of Czechia

December 24, 2023 • 0 Comment

Practical guide to reach the highest point of Czechia Snezka

My home country’s highest point Sněžka is one of the most visited mountains in the world. Thanks to the beauty of the Krkonoše mountain range and its relative easy accessibility from both the Czech Republic and Poland, it’s a very popular place to visit. With its height of 1603 m Sněžka doesn’t belong to the highest mountains in Europe at all but you can still experience extreme mountain conditions there, especially in winter. This article will give you all important information you need before your visit including practical information, a map and my personal experience.

Important information for climbing Sněžka

Short description of the ascent from Pec pod Sněžkou: Easy hike
Essential equipment: Standard hiking gear
Best time to visit: All year round
Fees or restrictions: No
Camping allowed: No
Nearest accommodation/food supply: Food available on the top in the post office "Poštovna"; nearest accommodation at Dom Śląski or at Luční Bouda (further but much nicer, recommended)
Height of the peak: 1603 m
Hiking distance from Pec pod Sněžkou: 6.1 km (one way)
Time to ascend to Sněžka: 1,5-3,5 hours up, 1,5-3 hours back
Elevation climbed: 835 m
Water availability on the mountain: Many huts (Dom Śląski, Luční Bouda, Růžohorky) on the way
Difficulty level: ** (6 stars maximum) 
Personal rating of the mountain: *** (6 stars maximum) 
Beer on the peak: Sněžka 16,03 (IPA) ***** (6 stars maximum)

What is the best route to Sněžka?

There are multiple routes to Sněžka. All of them offer are well marked and aren’t technically demanding. You’ll find the difference in distance and elevation meters. Here is the list of the most famous routes to the top:

From Pec pod Sněžkou: This is the most popular start of hikes to Sněžka from Czechia. There are two trails going up. The blue trail takes you through the beautiful Obří důl valley, passing by the Slaski Dom mountain hut. From there, it ascends steeply to the summit of Sněžka. Alternatively, you can take a green trail to Růžohorky hut and from there the yellow trail to the top. Both of these trails have similar difficulty level and can be well combined on the way up and down to have different views. Take a look at a map of the round trip.
From Špindlerův mlýn: Starting in the popular tourist destination of Špindlerův mlýn, this route follows the red trail up to Luční Bouda where you can taste a beer from the highest brewery in the Czech Republic. From there, the trail ascends towards Sněžka via the blue and the final red trail. This route is longer but offers a more diverse landscape and is less crowded than the Pec pod Sněžkou route. Check out a map of this route.
From Horní Malá Úpa: This route starts in the charming village of Horní Malá Úpa. The red trail goes through the forest, passes a hut called Jelenka and the final part offers wonderful views since it passes the forest line. This route is less frequented, providing a quieter and more secluded hiking experience. Here is a map of the route.
From Karpacz (Poland): This route begins in the picturesque town of Karpacz in Poland. The most popular yellow trail leads through the valley Dolina Lomniczki and waterfall Lomniczki up to Slaski Dom mountain hut. From there, it follows the same red trail like on the way from the Czech village Pec pod Sněžkou (option 1 described above). Take a look at a map of this route.

All the above mentioned routes can be combined if you use public transport. You can use public transport to all the starting points and make an interesting ridge crossing which is popular among Czech and Polish hikers.

Map of the best route to Sněžka

My story of climbing the highest mountain of Czech Republic – Sněžka

I hiked Sněžka as a part of my project European Peaks during which I climbed the highest peak of every European country. I started the journey in the capital city Prague and the journey took around 3 hours by car to the starting point of the hike Pec pod Sněžkou. Unfortunately, the weather forecast was correct this time. It was cloudy, later foggy and it was even raining cats and dogs during our last 3 km. The first big rain of my expedition had to come sooner or later.

Early start of a hike to Sněžka from Luční bouda — *Early start of the hike to Sněžka from Luční bouda*

Beer is a part of Czech culture

Good that we didn’t care much because there are many cosy huts in Krkonoše and most of them have their own breweries so there are plenty opportunities to warm up and get some energy.

Czech beer Paroháč — *Tasting Czech beer culture is possible even in the mountains; camera Nikon D750; lens Sigma 35mm, f/1.4; 2times Exposure Bracketing*

If you decide to visit Krkonoše and have more time you can actually do the whole “Krkonošská pivní stezka” – the walk with a visit of all ten breweries and become a proud Czech (I guess you know the Czechs drink most beer per capita). The Czech cuisine will warm you up for sure too. We decided to taste local blueberry dumplings at Luční Bouda chalet. We also slept there with hope for better weather for sunrise.

Typical Czech mountain food - Blueberry dumplings — *Typical Czech mountain food – Blueberry dumplings; iPhone X; Single Exposure*

15 minutes of luck

We woke up very early in the morning to catch a gap in the bad weather which was supposed to come according to the forecast. Unfortunately, the forecast was wrong this time and it was still foggy when we woke up. We decided to go up to Sněžka anyway. Maybe, the good weather will come later. And really. When we got up to the top the clouds just disappeared and we could enjoy 15 minutes of an amazing view over both Polish and Czech lowlands.

Selife from the top of Snezka in sunny weather — *15 minutes of sun on Sněžka; GoPro 6; Single Exposure*

The clouds came back soon though and it became cold. We decided to get back to our car in the valley. Just before leaving we also checked out the local post office and we got lucky. It was just about to open. Besides sending postcards you can also order a hot drink or buy some souvenir.

Staring into fog at Sněžka

Personally, I couldn’t resist buying a ticket to the viewing platform from the post office’s roof despite the bad weather and I am happy I did that. I think I made the local seller’s day. When I got back she was still laughing out loud. Is it weird to buy a ticket for an observation tower with a view of fog?

Selfie from the top of Snezka in clouds — *Amazing view from the post office; GoPro 6; Single Exposure*

Despite not having perfect weather, I am happy to visit our highest peak. Even though it is not as high compared to other European Peaks the national park around is beautiful and I am glad to taste many interesting beers on the way.

Aerial picture of Olomouc city — *Olomouc captured from a helicopter; Nikon D5100; kit lens 18-55mm; single exposure*

After Sněžka I came home for two days to rest before a tough climb in Slovakia and look: Isn’t my city beautiful? Don’t miss Olomouc if you ever visit the Czech Republic.

My tips for Sněžka

Learn to say “Ahoj”. A greeting which you will hear often from other (Czech) tourists when hiking in Czech mountains.
Participate in “Krkonošská pivní stezka” – Krkonoše’s brewery walk and try many interesting beers on the way.
Send a postcard to your relatives from the highest point of the Czech Republic. It is the only EU Peak from which you can directly send a letter.
Visit hut Luční Bouda with the highest situated brewery in the hole country

September 17, 2023 • 0 Comment

Ultimate guide with practical info from the highest peak of UK – Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis, similarly to Carrauntoohil in Ireland, is a mountain with exceptionally bad weather. Ben Nevis is covered by clouds and fog for 70% of the year and even if you are lucky with a clear sky the weather can change any minute. That’s why it’s important to be properly prepared for its summit. This article will give you all necessary tips you need before your visit of Ben Nevis including descriptions of the routes, a map and my personal experience.

The best routes to Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis mountain path: This is the most common route to Ben Nevis. It starts at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, near the town of Fort William. The path is well-defined and marked, making it suitable for less-experienced hikers. The initial part of the trail passes through the glen, and as you ascend, you’ll encounter rocky terrain. Highlights along the route include the halfway lochan (lake) and the famous zigzags known as the “Devil’s Staircase.” The final stretch involves a rocky ascent to the summit. We’ll take a deeper look at this route later in this article.
CMD Arete (Carn Mor Dearg Arete) route: This is a longer and more challenging route as it involves ascending two mountains on the way – Carn Dearg Meadhonach (1180 m) and Carn Mor Dearg mountain (1220 m) and passing a long spectacular arete (ridge) leading to Ben Nevis. This route is better for more experienced hikers and for everyone who prefers hikes without other tourists as this hike is less popular than the Ben Nevis mountain path. Another advantage of this hike is that the hike starts and ends at the Ben Nevis Distillery. Take a look at the map of the hike.

Important information for climbing Ben Nevis from Glen Nevis

Short description of the ascent: Easy hike with no difficulties, be aware of changeable weather
Essential equipment: General hiking gear, don't forget waterproof clothing
Best time to visit: April- November 
Fees or restrictions: No
Camping allowed: Yes, you can wild camp near Ben Nevis, but you must follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Nearest accommodation: Cosy and beautiful Achintee Farm Guest House or cheap and popular Glen Nevis Youth Hostel
Height of the peak: 1345 m 
Hiking distance: 7,9 km 
Time to ascend : 2-4 hours up, 2-3 hours down
Difficulty level: *** (6 stars maximum)
Personal rating of the mountain: *** (6 stars maximum) 
Beer on the peak: Crabbies ***** (6 stars maximum)

Map of the best route to Ben Nevis

My story of climbing Ben Nevis with personal tips

I climbed Ben Nevis as a part of my project European Peaks during which I climbed the highest peak of every European country but I visited also Ben Nevis 7 years ago. Therefore, I will use both of these experiences to give you all necessary tips you need before your own visit.

Discovery of the beauty of the mountains

Scotland is simply a beautiful country which I always gladly visit again. It is actually the country where I found my passion for hiking 7 years ago. My friends and I climbed Ben Nevis that time and I realized that it is exactly what I want to do in the future – climbing mountains. I finally lost my fear for mountains there which I got when hiking with my parents in the Slovakian Tatras when I was a kid.

That time, we did a demanding hike on an exposed mountain ridge called Tri Kopy – Baníkov and I got a panic attack due to a fear of heights and storms there. That experience kept me away from mountains for more than ten years. I am very glad I went to the mountains again in Scotland with my friend Rikki and I am thankful that Ben Nevis rekindled my love for the mountains!

Two hikers with beers on Ben Nevis — *Ben Nevis reached for the first time in 2012*

Scotland has a lot to offer. Most people visit only the capital city Edinburgh which is a beautiful old city. However, I think the most exciting part of the country is further in the north where the mountains are getting higher. During my first visit, we made a long round trip across the north of Scotland and it was simply amazing. Unfortunately, it would take hours to describe everything you can see on your trip to Scotland in just one article, so I am picking one picture from our trip to best describe the Scottish atmosphere. Look at the Harry Potter train crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct during the most typical Scottish weather. Isn’t it beautiful?

Glenfinnan Viaduct with Harry Potter train — *Glenfinnan Viaduct*

Scottish whiskey on the way to Ben Nevis

I started my trip this time with four friends from my home country the Czech Republic and since we had a one week window for climbing Ben Nevis, we also visited one of the nicest islands I have ever been to – Isle of Skye. It is simply an amazing place where tough weather created a picturesque landscape with wild beaches, high mountains and sharp cliffs. In addition to the wonderful nature you can come across some charming villages and several whiskey distilleries. A perfect warm up before the climb to Ben Nevis.

Many Dalwhinnie whisky bottles — *One of the Scottish distilleries on our way*

Driving left in UK can be confusing for visitors

After exploring the island, we headed straight to Fort William, a seaside village and especially the starting point for Ben Nevis. Along the way we encountered the major disadvantage of traveling in Scotland. At about 90 km/h speed, a car with tourists showed up in the opposite direction just in front of us. Fortunately, good visibility and good brakes prevented a disaster. You can see that one easily forgets that you are in the UK and that you drive on the left. We were lucky this time.

The beginning of the hike to Ben Nevis — *The beginning of the hike, just after leaving Glen Nevis*

Surprisingly great views from Ben Nevis

The weather forecast, like in Ireland, looked positive for the evening, so we decided to go to the top for sunset. And we were lucky this time, unlike in Ireland. It was a pleasant 20 °C and especially, the peak was cloudless. The trail rises continuously from sea level to the top and the climb is never difficult. Along the way you will meet no obstacles, only a lot of curious sheep. Since the weather was great we could also enjoy the views over the bay of Loch Eil.

Three Peaks Challenge

The motivation to reach the summit before the sunset was so strong that we managed to summit the peak just in 2 hours and 25 minutes. Indeed, the mountain remained free from clouds so we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. We caught one of the lucky days when Ben Nevis offers good visibility! Such a pity I can’t share any picture from this wonderful evening.

A shelter on the top of Ben Nevis — *This is a more likely visibility when you reach Ben Nevis*

After enjoying the view over Scottish mountains for a while, it became cold so we headed back to our car. We had to get down as soon as possible, so we would not end up descending in darkness. Luckily, it went very quickly and smoothly so we were soon back at the parking lot.

We changed out of our sweaty clothes, took a quick dinner and started to drive towards Wales. Our goal was actually not to climb only the highest point of United Kingdom but also the highest point of England and Wales during one day. This Three peaks challenge is very popular in the UK and many people undertake it every year. We were tempted as well.

The worst experience of my life

Unfortunately, the car drive was not very long. Everything happened very quickly. Our car suddenly went off the road and it hit a stone in a field. Luckily, nobody in the car was hurt but everyone was in shock. Our reaction was quick. We all jumped out of the car and ran away. When we all left the car we spotted a fire starting. Being scared that the car could explode we ran even further. Then, we just stood a few hundred meters away, watching all our belongings disappear in fire and smoke.

It was cold and dark. We wore only a few pieces of clothes and most of us didn’t even have shoes on. Everything was left in the car. Luckily, one friend found a phone in his pocket. That old Nokia with the famous game Snake we made fun of before. It saved us by allowing us to call for help. Since we were in the middle of nowhere it took the police over an hour to arrive. What a luck nobody was hurt. This long waiting time could be crucial.

Picture of a car after the accident — *Picture of our car after the accident. Terrible experience*

Yes, it was terrible. It was the worst experience in my life. I still sometimes imagine someone of my friends getting hurt in the car accident. How thankful I am everybody survived the accident without any injury.

Driving is still very dangerous nowadays

The problem is that car accidents do happen every day. Over 25,000 people die on roads in the EU every year. Please, be careful when driving, especially at night on roads you don’t know. From my experience of my expedition in the mountains, I can assure you that driving is still much more dangerous than any mountain I climbed.

The expedition European Peaks was finished for me at that point. My and my friends’ thoughts were just to get safely back home. We were cold, without clothes, without money, without passports, without phones. Only thanks to friends, family and modern technologies we managed to get home to the Czech Republic in just 48 hours. Everything is possible in today’s world when you have amazing people around.

Three desperate tourists lying on floor at Edinburgh airport — *Imagine losing everything in a minute. This is all we had before our flight back home*

To end on a positive note, I would like to point out that Ben Nevis is an exceptional mountain really worth visiting. Accidents can happen every time and anywhere and they should not put you off from our passion. We should just always do our best to avoid them. This was the biggest lesson in my life and I can assure you that I will always do my best to not put my life in danger again.

DISCLAIMER: Due to the accident I don’t have any up-to-date pictures from my climb to Ben Nevis. Most of the pictures used in this article were taken during my visit of Scotland in 2012.

My tips for the mountain Ben Nevis:

Be careful when driving in Scotland. Keep left.
If you plan to climb Ben Nevis, try to plan a longer visit of Scotland so there is a bigger chance to summit the mountain during good weather.
If you have extra time, don’t hesitate to visit the Isle of Skye, one of the most beautiful islands in Europe.
In case of bad weather, remember: it doesn’t rain in bars and distilleries in Scotland.
Consider doing the famous Three Peaks Challenge. However, I recommend to do it with a company or take the train instead of a car.
Nearest accommodation: Cosy and beautiful Achintee Farm Guest House or cheap and popular Glen Nevis Youth Hostel