Google Maps telling users to take ‘DEADLY’ route up Ben Nevis, mountain experts warn
MOUNTAIN experts are warning that Google Maps is directing walkers to take an extremely dangerous route up the UK's highest mountain.
Ben Nevis is a popular mountain climb in Scotland but some routes to the top can be deadly.
Mountaineering charity and Mountaineering Scotland are warning people about the dangers of relying on apps like Google Maps to take them to the top of a mountain.
Heather Morning, Mountaineering Scotland’s Mountain Safety Adviser, : “For those new to hill walking, it would seem perfectly logical to check out Google Maps for information on how to get to your chosen mountain.
"But when you input Ben Nevis and click on the ‘car’ icon, up pops a map of your route, taking you to the car park at the head of Glen Nevis, followed by a dotted line appearing to show a route to the summit.”
She added: “Even the most experienced mountaineer would have difficulty following this route.
"The suggested Google line is potentially fatal.”
"The line goes through very steep, rocky, and pathless terrain where even in good visibility it would be challenging to find a safe line.
"Add in low cloud and rain and the suggested Google line is potentially fatal.”
The charities also pointed out that another Google Maps suggested route for An Teallach in the north-west Highlands could send people off a cliff.
Morning said: “It’s all too easy these days to assume that information on the internet is all good stuff, correct, up to date and safe.
“Sadly, experience shows this is not the case and there have been a number of incidents recently where following routes downloaded off the internet have resulted in injury or worse.”
Climbers are advised to cross reference any walking route they get from an app with a hard copy of a map and other official sources.
Google told the charities: "We built Google Maps with safety and reliability in mind, and are working quickly to investigate the routing issue on Ben Nevis."
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