How long does the CMD Arête route to Ben Nevis take?

Most people take 10-11 hours to complete the full route. It's a 16-17 kilometre day with 1,500 metres of ascent, so you need to be fit enough for a long mountain day, not just the ridge section itself.

Do I need climbing gear or a rope for the CMD Arête?

No, it's graded as a straightforward Grade 1 scramble requiring no technical climbing gear. However, the serious exposure and long drops on both sides mean that while it's technically easy, the consequences of a fall are severe.

Is the CMD Arête more dangerous than Striding Edge or Crib Goch?

It's not as technically awkward, but it's far longer, higher, and more committing than either. You're in genuinely remote high mountain terrain for a much longer period, which brings its own risks even if individual sections are easier.

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