Chasing mountains: an outdoor-lover’s guide to the finest peaks in the UK

From the highest highs of breathtaking Ben Nevis to the swooping valleys of the Lake District, the United Kingdom really is a treasure trove of outdoor pursuits. Snow-dusted and rugged or spilling with a wealth of green flora, each trail is unique and more entrancing than the next. Challenge yourself to a new adventure: don your best boots and waterproofs, and follow the call of the wild to these iconic mountaintops.

Ben Nevis, Scotland

Looking out across a sea of emerald elevations that form the Grampian Mountains, Scotland’s highest peak affords surreal vistas quite unlike anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Standing tall at 1,345 metres, it’s a whopping sight to behold and an even more challenging one to climb, with an average return journey time of eight hours. Its two varied routes are filled with natural wonder and designed for both intermediate and experienced hikers: the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête involves a healthy dose of scrambling and steep climbs, while the more popular Mountain Track features a waterfall, zig-zagging trails and the Halfway Lake, a superb marker to stop and enjoy a well-earned snack.

Loch Eil, Ben Nevis 1316577386

Snowdon, Wales

Craggy, raw and boasting a tapestry of breathtaking views, Snowdon is a strong contender for topping any outdoor-lover’s bucket list. You’ll find six (some might argue more) fantastic routes to help you conquer the highest mountain in Wales: amongst these, the Snowdon Ranger Path is the oldest and offers a quiet hike, the Pyg Track is a firm favourite with its jaw-dropping vistas, and the Watkin Path is one for thrill-seekers, complete with diverse scenery that spans woodlands and waterfalls. For the same landscapes but far less effort, the Snowdon Mountain Railway is an interesting means to experience the region’s beauty: soak up panoramas of Snowdonia National Park, enjoy a spot of birding, and gaze out into the distance – as far as Ireland, if you’re lucky – all from the comfort of this historic train.

Snowdon Adobe Stock 200797057

Great Gable, England

With England’s Western Fells laid out all around and a wide array of picturesque trails to choose from, Great Gable is an unsurprisingly popular pick. It’s just a short distance from Scafell Pike, the country’s highest peak, and although it may not measure up to its neighbour in height, it certainly holds its own with plenty of character and charm – just as you’d expect from a mountain in the Lake District. In dry weather, take the circular route from Seathwaite via Gillercomb to enjoy a trail peppered with scrambling, waterfalls, steep rocky paths, and unparalleled panoramas from atop the summit. A most satisfying experience, complete with plenty of unique, attention-grabbing vistas, awaits the more seasoned adventurer.

Great Gable, Lake District 1306513466

Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland

County Down’s Slieve Donard offers a somewhat short yet very pleasant walk up to an ascent of 850 metres. Crossing forests and rivers on your path to the top, it’s a great way to marvel at the sheer beauty of Northern Ireland’s bountiful natural landscapes. At the summit you’ll be met with spellbinding views across the Mourne Mountains, which in misty weather retain a beautifully haunting quality. You’ll even glimpse the peaks of Wales and Scotland, the sandy shores of Newcastle, as well as the glistening Irish Sea in the distance, if the weather is kind. Best of all, this hike is well-suited to enthusiasts of all levels, so everyone could be in for the chance to experience it first-hand.

Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland Adobe Stock 321127954

Pen y Fan, Wales

Seek out more of Wales’ magnetic natural beauty in the Brecon Beacons, a sprawling national park that’s home to Pen y Fan – the tallest mountain in South Wales. Reaching as high as 886 metres, it stuns as an ethereal elevation blanketed in shades of soft green – and with more than one way to reach its summit, you’ll soon be back for more. No way is easy by any means, yet each is just as rewarding as you wander past dense forests and fast-flowing waterways, along Lower Neuadd Reservoir and above neverending valleys. It probably goes without saying that the views are second-to-none all year long – particularly if you’re planning your hike around sunrise or sunset.

Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons 1133597273

Cat Bells, England

Take in the marvellous landscapes of Keswick, Borrowdale and Derwentwater as you acquaint yourself with the Cat Bells, a Cumbrian fell that does well at showcasing the Lake District’s painterly quality. Spanning around 3.5 miles and reaching an elevation of 451 metres, the three-hour circular route starts with some scrambling and steep sections, but your efforts will be well rewarded by enchanting vistas and a pleasant descent towards a lakeshore path. You’ll love sitting down mid-way for some respite, as you soak up the classic scenes and picturesque peaks of England’s famous Lakes; and following a day of braving the great outdoors, the town of Keswick is well worth exploring – after all, it was home to poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, and is steeped in literary and artistic history.

Catbells, Derwentwater Adobe Stock 337034712

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