The mountains are calling, and I must go.
John Muir, Mountaineer
If there’s one thing we can say about the UK’s mountain ranges, it’s that they always deliver breathtaking scenery. From the moment you set foot there, you’ll never be disappointed. Perhaps this is why more locals are embracing mountain walking or proper hiking as a solo or group outdoor recreational activity in recent years.
🏔️ Overview of UK Mountain Ranges
Whether you are planning a solid hiking session, a casual mountain walk, or looking for some wildlife sighting and photography opportunities near the mountains, it's important to know where they are exactly located and what you can look forward to once you're there.
🏴 Scottish Highlands
A visit to the Scottish Highlands is always worth the trip. Widely renowned for its rugged terrains and breathtaking vistas, it is home to some of the highest peaks in the UK, including Ben Nevis.
Mountains and hills in Scotland are categorised by a special name with a specific range of height and prominence as follows:
| Category | Height Requirement | Prominence Requirement | Count (Scotland) | Key Feature | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munros | Over 3,000 ft (914 m) | None specified | 282 | Highest peaks | Ben Nevis |
| Corbetts | 2,500–3,000 ft (762–914 m) | ≥ 500 ft (152 m) | 221 | Tall & distinct | Merrick |
| Grahams | 2,000–2,499 ft (610–762 m) | ≥ 150 m | 219 | Mid-sized hills | Ben Lomond (South Peak) |
| Donalds | Over 2,000 ft (610 m), Lowlands only | Varies | 140 | Lowland focus | Broad Law |
| Marilyns | Any height | ≥ 150 m | 1,219 | Prominence-based | Arthur’s Seat |
🏴 Lake District
Next up, we have the Lake District. It is a mountain range and national park that features picturesque landscapes and summits like Scafell Pike. Additionally, it is popular among hikers for its accessible trails and stunning scenery.
Did you know that the Lake District is England's largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
🏴 Snowonia National Park (Eyri)
Another beautiful national park in the UK, it is one of the most visited places in Wales, as it is dominated by Snowdon, the highest peak in the country.
Source: Eyri National Park
Covering a total of 823 square miles, the place offers a mix of challenging climbs and family-friendly hikes — featuring 9 mountain ranges and 1497 miles of route to explore.
🏴 Brecon Beacons
Another popular mountain range in Wales, the Brecon Beacons, is known for rolling hills and peaks like Pen y Fan, as well as its national park.
Boasting a wide range of walking routes for every level, it is an ideal place for both novice and experienced hikers. You can have peace of mind as there's a graded system from Level 1 (easiest) to Level 5 (most difficult) to suit your walking or hiking needs.
Don't forget to discover other national parks in the UK.
🌄 Notable Mountains in the UK
Now, let's discover the highest and most popular mountains in different parts of the UK.
📍Ben Nevis
Fun Facts: Did you know that Ben Nevis is not only the highest mountain in the UK, but it was once an active volcano that exploded around 350 million years ago?
📍Snowdon
Fun Facts: Snowdon is the highest peak in Wales and is one of the few mountains in the world with a railway to its summit — the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
📍Scafell Pike
Fun Facts: It is the highest mountain in England and was donated to the National Trust (an independent UK charity) in 1919 by Lord Leconfield as a World War I memorial for local fallen soldiers.
📍Tryfan
Fun Facts: Famed for its Adam and Eve boulders monoliths, Tryfan is an iconic mountain that requires hands-on climbing and served as a training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary before he eventually conquered Mount Everest.
🧗 Popular Hiking Routes and Climbing Tips
If hiking one (or all, why not?) of these mountains is on your bucket list, consider exploring different routes according to their difficulty levels to ensure a seamless and safe experience.
Did you know that there is a challenge where you can climb the three highest peaks of Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike), and Wales(Snowdon)?
Participants can choose between an open or private event (completed within 24 hours) or opt for a more leisurely climb challenge (completed within 3 days).
Here are some hiking route recommendations for first-timers and those who prefer an easier climbing experience.
🥾Ben Nevis via the Mountain Path
For Ben Nevis, we highly recommend taking the Mountain Path from the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre.
4 hours up, 4 hours down
Formerly known as the Tourist Route, this path is a straightforward walking route without technical climbing – suitable for most hikers, though you have to be careful of the rocky surfaces.
While walking, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding Highlands.
🥾Snowdon's Pyg Track
As for Snowdon, it's best to begin with the Pyg Track as it is one of the classic and most popular paths that offers you a direct route to the summit.
Dependent on weather conditions
This track starts from Pen-y-Pass, a mountain pass where you get to enjoy views of lakes such as Llyn Llydaw and Glaslyn throughout the climb. Overall, it is a moderate route that is shorter but slightly steeper for first-timers.
🥾Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head
Finally, you can take the Wasdale Head route to climb up Scafell Pike. It is the shortest and most popular ascent, which starts from the Lake Head car park.
Dependent on hikers' experience
Throughout the journey, expect to navigate some steep slopes and rocky terrain, but be prepared to be amazed by breathtaking views across the Lake District and Wast Water (which is England’s deepest lake).
Meanwhile, check out this list of amazing rivers and lakes in the UK.
💡 Climbing Tips
While nothing beats the thrill of reaching your favourite mountains and peaks, it is super important to keep the experience safe so that nobody is harmed throughout the hiking process. Here are some important tips to follow whenever you are going on a hike:
Weather basics (rain/shine)
- Always check weather conditions before setting out
- Avoid going when it's too hot/too slippery.
Essentials for safety and precise location
- Equip yourself with appropriate gear and navigation tools
- Protection gears and GPS handhelds or watches
Always have a contact contingency plan
- Inform someone about your planned route and expected return time
- Send backup or check in if there's any delay
🌥️ Weather Conditions and Safety Guidelines
Let's dive deeper into the importance of understanding weather basics and safety regulations before hiking.
📌Understanding UK Mountain Weather
Weathers in the mountains can vary vastly by hours at different locations and seasons, so it's best to check out the mountain weather forecast via the Met Office official website.
The mountain weather forecast covers the following regions:
- Northwest Highlands
- North Grampian
- South Grampian and Southeast Highlands
- Southwest Highlands
- Mourne Mountains
- Lake District
- Yorkshire Dales
- Peak Distruct
- Eyri/Snowdonia
- Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons
Planning your next holiday? Don't forget to explore these beautiful islands in the UK.
📌Safety Guidelines
Whether you are a newbie hiker or a veteran, the same safety guidelines still apply. It's important to stay on marked trails to avoid getting lost. Always remember never to take the precise location and direction for granted, even if it's not your first time hiking the same mountain.
Carry a full map of the mountain you're planning to hike and a compass to identify alternative routes and where you're supposed to head when you're going up or coming down.
Additionally, don't forget to bring along a fully charged mobile phone to contact anyone should any emergency arise.
If you are going in big groups, make sure everyone is in their best physical and mental state. Don't hesitate to turn back and enjoy the hiking route another time when necessary.
🌿 Wildlife and Photography Opportunities
Wildlife sightings and photography opportunities are not only found in local forests, but also in the highest points of the UK.
🐾UK Mountain Wildlife
Many of our mountains are home to species like red deer, golden eagles, and mountain hares.
The red deer, which is Britain's largest land mammal, is mostly found in the lovely Scottish Highlands, Dumfriesshire, the Lake District, East Anglia, and the south-west of England.
Important tip: Be sure to observe wildlife from a distance to avoid disturbance.
📷 Photography Spots
If you are a scenery and photography lover, you must seize the opportunity to take as many landscape photos as possible while making good use of the natural lighting and natural scenic compositions in the mountains.
If you ever visit Wales, you must capture the sunrise over Mount Snowdon for a breathtaking shot, with a blend of misty or even cloudy ambience alongside a vivid sky palette as the background.
Sometimes, what is simple and direct works best. Taking classic photographs of the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands can instantly evoke a sense of nostalgia and mysticism. You don’t need a fancy camera — just a smartphone with a good resolution can work wonders.
We hope this article has offered you some insights into some of the best mountains to hike in the UK. If you are interested to learn more about different geography topics like this, you can always connect with an experienced Geography tutor on Superprof.
References
- Eryri National Park | Eryri National Park. (2024, December 5). Snowdonia National Park. https://eryri.gov.wales/
- Ben Nevis: Scotland’s Iconic Mountain. (n.d.). VisitScotland. https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walking/mountains-hills/ben-nevis
- National Three Peaks Challenge. (2024). Three Peaks Challenge. https://www.threepeakschallenge.uk/national-three-peaks-challenge
- Mountain weather forecast. (n.d.). Met Office. https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/specialist-forecasts/mountain
- Red Deer - Deer species - The British Deer Society. (2025, April 29). The British Deer Society. https://bds.org.uk/information-advice/about-deer/deer-species/red-deer/
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