Is hiking Ben Nevis worth it?

According to a Scot I once met, it is.

I can offer only a second-hand opinion. In 1999, I was in Scotland, and a local person drove me to the base of Ben Nevis. He was an avid hiker and said hiking the mountain was worth it, but maybe he was just trying to impress a visitor.

I regretted not having the time to hike it. Ironically, on that same trip, I hiked 100 miles in Ireland on the Wicklow Way (https://www.wicklowway.com/) trail. I would have loved to clamber up Ben Nevis. Suffice it to say, Ben Nevis is beautiful.

I have not hiked 'the Ben' but know plenty who have. Many say it's a fairly boring trail and you're right the summit is often shrouded in cloud. But there's more than one trail up the mountain as well as plenty of other hikes in that area. Have you checked out Walk Highlands? This website is brilliant for finding interesting hikes (including all the Highlands and Skye). The various hikes are graded by distance and difficulty and there are reviews from hikers.

Thank you both! Yes, I have looked at Walk Highlands and it is a great website! I was hoping someone might be able to offer a direct comparison between Ben Nevis and Lost Valley/Steall Falls in terms of enjoyability. It may be something that we will need to feel out and discuss with locals once we arrive and see the weather!

The walk up to Steall is beautiful, even in a downpour worth doing.
If the weather is fine and you are experienced hikers the route up the CMD is a grand day out and save the "Tourist route " for the descent from the Ben.
Be well shod the risk of hypothermia is never far away on the Scotish mountain summits.
Another idea ,maybe walk thru to Corrour from Upper glen Nevis and return by train or reverse and have breakfast at the station house.
If you have a car and its a sodden day in the Fort driving 20 miles east can sometimes bring you into the sun and dry had this happen to me.
The Ben Nevis Inn is a very nice spot and I think a band are regulars on tuesday nights

There is another maybe ,the main burn to the north after you pass the Steall falls has good going up to the pass below Aonach Mor and Carn Mor Dearg.
Its reasonablely well trod and you could cut up to the start of the arete path from there.

We climbed Ben Nevis at the end of walking the West Highland Way in 2015. It was annevidently rare clear day and was quite crowded. It wasn't one of the most scenic hikes we've ever done, but we, and it, were there so why not?

Thank you! I will look into those!