The best mountains to climb in the UK offer some awesome experiences for hikers.
While the best hikes in Europe tend to get all the recognition, there are still some amazing hiking experiences across the UK. This includes some impressive summits that any hiker should have on their bucket lists.
To help you plan your next hike, here’s a breakdown of the top 10 mountains to climb in the UK.
1. Ben Nevis
- Where: Scotland
- Height: 4,413 feet (1,345 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What makes it special: Highest peak in the UK, diverse landscapes, panoramic views.
Ben Nevis, towering above Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, is the highest mountain in the UK. Standing at 4,413 feet, the ascent offers a challenging hike through varied landscapes, from wooded trails to rocky ridges.
The reward at the summit includes breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, lochs, and the vastness of the Scottish Highlands. Hiking Ben Nevis provides a sense of accomplishment and a chance to experience the grandeur of Scotland’s natural beauty.
When talking about the best mountains to climb in the UK, Ben Nevis will always be at the top of the list. The main trail to the summit is absolutely one of the best hiking routes in the UK.
2. Scafell Pike
- Where: England
- Height: 3,209 feet (978 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What makes it special: Highest peak in England, rugged terrain, stunning Lake District scenery.
Scafell Pike, nestled in the Lake District National Park, claims the title of the highest mountain in England.
Standing at 3,209 feet, the hike to the summit offers a challenging ascent through rocky terrain and breathtaking landscapes. Hikers can expect stunning views of the surrounding fells and lakes, making it a quintessential Lake District experience.
Scafell Pike’s rugged beauty and the sense of achievement at the summit make it a must for avid mountain enthusiasts.
3. Snowdon
- Where: Wales
- Height: 3,560 feet (1,085 meters)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- What makes it special: Highest peak in Wales, diverse paths, scenic views.
Snowdon, the highest peak in Wales, stands at 3,560 feet and is a prominent feature in Snowdonia National Park.
The mountain offers a range of paths catering to various skill levels, including the popular Llanberis Path and the more challenging Crib Goch route. The summit provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains, lakes, and the Irish Sea.
Snowdon’s accessibility and diverse trails make it a favorite among hikers seeking both adventure and picturesque landscapes.
4. Helvellyn
- Where: England
- Height: 3,117 feet (950 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What makes it special: Iconic ridges, scenic Lake District views, Striding Edge.
Helvellyn, located in the Lake District, stands at 3,117 feet and is known for its iconic ridges, including the famous Striding Edge.
The ascent to Helvellyn offers a challenging hike with opportunities for scrambling along the ridges. The summit rewards hikers with panoramic views of the Lake District’s peaks and valleys.
Helvellyn’s dramatic landscapes and the thrill of traversing Striding Edge make it a popular choice for those seeking both adventure and stunning scenery. It’s one of the best mountains to climb in the UK for those seeking a slightly more technical climbing experience.
5. Tryfan
- Where: Wales
- Height: 3,010 feet (917.5 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What makes it special: Distinctive pointed peak, rock scrambling, breathtaking views.
Tryfan, with its distinctive pointed peak, is a challenging and iconic mountain in Snowdonia National Park, Wales.
Standing at 3,010 feet, Tryfan is known for its rugged terrain and opportunities for rock scrambling. The ascent provides hikers with breathtaking views of the Ogwen Valley and the surrounding mountains.
The distinctive profile of Tryfan and the exhilarating scramble to the summit make it a favorite among experienced hikers and climbers.
6. Ben Lomond
- Where: Scotland
- Height: 3,196 feet (974 meters)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- What makes it special: Conic hill, views of Loch Lomond, diverse landscapes.
Ben Lomond, situated on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, is a conic hill standing at 3,196 feet. The ascent offers a varied hike through woodlands, moors, and rocky paths.
Hikers are rewarded with stunning views of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park from the summit. Ben Lomond’s accessibility from Glasgow and its diverse landscapes make it a popular choice for hikers seeking a taste of Scotland’s natural beauty.
7. Great Gable
- Where: England
- Height: 2,949 feet (899 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What makes it special: Rugged terrain, iconic shape, views of Wastwater.
Great Gable, part of the Scafell range in the Lake District, stands at 2,949 feet and is known for its rugged and distinctive shape.
The ascent involves challenging terrain and offers panoramic views of Wastwater, England’s deepest lake. Hiking Great Gable provides a sense of adventure and an opportunity to explore the dramatic landscapes of the Lake District.
8. Blencathra (Saddleback)
- Where: England
- Height: 2,848 feet (868 meters)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- What makes it special: Sharp ridges, diverse routes, views of the Northern Fells.
Blencathra, also known as Saddleback, is a distinctive mountain in the northern part of the Lake District, standing at 2,848 feet. The mountain offers a variety of routes, including the challenging Sharp Edge and the less demanding Doddick Fell.
Hikers can enjoy panoramic views of the Northern Fells and the surrounding valleys from the summit. Blencathra’s sharp ridges and diverse ascent options make it a captivating destination for mountain enthusiasts.
9. Cadair Idris
- Where: Wales
- Height: 2,930 feet (893 meters)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- What makes it special: Glacial landscapes, stunning views of Cardigan Bay, Welsh legends.
Cadair Idris, located in Snowdonia National Park, is a mountain known for its glacial landscapes and stunning views of Cardigan Bay.
Standing at 2,930 feet, the mountain offers multiple ascent routes, including the popular Pony Path and the more challenging Fox’s Path.
The summit provides breathtaking views, and according to Welsh legend, spending a night on Cadair Idris ensures you wake either a madman or a poet. The combination of natural beauty and folklore makes it a unique hiking destination.
10. Lochnagar
- Where: Scotland
- Height: 3,789 feet (1,155 meters)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- What makes it special: Alpine appearance, royal connections, Lochanagar Crater.
Lochnagar, often referred to as “Royal Lochnagar,” is a prominent mountain located in the Cairngorms National Park.
Standing at 3,789 feet, the mountain boasts an alpine appearance and is known for its royal connections, as it is located near Balmoral Castle.
The ascent offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and the unique Lochanagar Crater, formed during World War I.
Hiking Lochnagar provides an opportunity to explore the regal beauty of the Scottish Highlands, making it one of the best mountains to climb in the UK.
The Three Peaks Challenge
When talking about the best mountains to climb in the UK, it’s important to mention the Three Peaks Challenge.
The Three Peaks Challenge is a popular adventure challenge that involves climbing the highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales within a set time frame. The three peaks in question are:
- Ben Nevis in Scotland, standing at 1,345 meters (4,413 feet) above sea level.
- Scafell Pike in England, with an elevation of 978 meters (3,209 feet).
- Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) in Wales, reaching a height of 1,085 meters (3,560 feet).
The challenge typically requires participants to climb each of these peaks consecutively, often aiming to complete the entire challenge within 24 hours. The clock starts ticking from the beginning of the first ascent and stops when the final descent is completed.
Participants need to not only tackle the physical demands of hiking up and down three significant mountains but also plan and coordinate transportation between the locations efficiently. The Three Peaks Challenge attracts hikers, mountaineers, and adventurers seeking a demanding yet achievable goal.
Organized events and charity fundraisers often use the Three Peaks Challenge as a means to raise awareness and funds for various causes. Completing the challenge requires careful preparation, fitness, navigation skills, and mental resilience. It’s a test of endurance and teamwork for those who take on the adventure.
Conclusion
The best mountains to climb in the UK are well worth the effort. Each of them offers stunning scenery and an unforgettable climbing experience.
Just make sure you know what to pack for walking in the UK, and that you plan your hike carefully around the weather. Once you stand on any of these summits, you’ll soon see just how great UK hiking can be.