Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains to Climb in the UK

Illustrated picture. Photo: Mixi

If you want to see the best of the UK, walking is the way to do it. Depending on your energy level, climbing an English mountain is one feeling that you will cherish throughout your life.

There are plenty of mountains in the UK ready and waiting for hikers - with well-established, signposted routes. The Cairngorms are home to stunning peaks like Ben Macdui. The highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis, sits just over 50 miles west looking out over Fort William, with the beauty of Torridon and Assynt further north and the likes of Ben Lomond further south. That's before you even cross into England to hike the Peak District, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales or Dartmoor. The beauty of Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons sit at either end of Wales meanwhile, and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland towers over Ulster.

The List of 10 Most Beautiful Mountains to Climb in the UK

1. Snowdon, Gwynedd

2. Slieve Donard, County Down

3. Scafell, Cumbria

4. Blencathra, North Lakes

5. Cat Bells, Cumbria

6. Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales

7. Buckden Pike, Yorkshire Dales

8. Ben Macdui, Cairngorms

9. Great Gable, Lake District

10. Helvellyn, Lake District

Which are the Most Beautiful Mountains to Climb in the UK?

1. Snowdon, Gwynedd

Photo: Countryfile.com

The prospect of climbing Wales’ highest mountain might seem intimidating – but no technical skills are needed to reach its 1,085 metre-high summit. There are eight well-trodden tracks to choose from, with the Llanberis Path the most popular. This peak gets busy in summer, and there’s a visitor centre on the summit, which probably won’t appeal to seasoned climbers. But this is the UK’s most popular mountain for good reason – not only is it accessible for climbers of all levels of experience, but the view from the summit is outstanding and well worth the effort.

If that’s not enough for you and you fancy upping your Snowdon game, there’s always the Snowdon Challenge – a 17km cycle to the bottom, 7km hike to the summit and down again, finished by a 4km paddle across Lyn Padarn – all in less than 12 hours.

2. Slieve Donard, County Down

Photo: Activeme.ie

Rising majestically out of the Mourne Mountains, Slieve Donard is the highest peak in Northern Ireland. The 850 metre-high summit features a small stone tower and the remains of two ancient burial cairns, one of which is supposedly a Neolithic Passage Tomb, the highest of its kind in the UK.

Until the 1830s, people would climb this mountain as part of a yearly pilgrimage and today’s walkers are faced with the same landscape of granite ridges, boggy paths and – usually – strong winds. As you walk, you’ll trace the Mourne Wall, built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose a reservoir, which crosses over 15 mountains in the Mournes.

3. Scafell, Cumbria

Photo: GetOutside - Ordnance Survey

England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike stands at a mighty 978 metres tall in the heart of the Lake District. Its summit is the highest point for almost 100 miles, so on a clear day you get far-reaching views to Wales, Scotland and even Ireland. The mountain is also home to Broad Crag Tarn, the highest standing water in England, and it refreshingly has no buildings at its top. The hike, which usually takes at least two hours and can be done using a number of routes, is tough and involves scrambling over steep, hard terrain. This is also the site of England’s highest war memorial, donated to the National Trust 1919 in memory of those who died in the First World War.

Scafell Pike is also included in the infamous Lakeland 10 Peaks Challenge – a 27km route conquering 10 peaks in just one day.

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4. Blencathra, North Lakes

Photo: Sally's Cottages

You will love climbing this mountain simply because it has a unique shape, owing to its nickname as the Saddleback. The main thing about this mountain is that it sports six-parted fell tops.

Climbing to the top can be tricky as most of the spots have steep inclines, but you will love the natural beauty that you get to capture once you reach the summit. You also get to see various other sights which include the Lakes of Derwent Water, Isle of Man, and the Mourne Mountains.

5. Cat Bells, Cumbria

Photo: The Hiking Photographer

For the ultimate starter mountain, look no further. With an elevation of just 451 metres, Cat Bells is a modest summit by Lake District standards. But that doesn’t make it any less appealing, and it’s a particularly good option for people who are dipping their toe into climbing mountains.

This rugged miniature mountain is steep in places and will leave you breathless – not only from the physical effort but also from the panoramic views of mighty Skiddaw and Derwentwater below. The Lakeland writer Beatrix Potter loved this peak, with Mrs Tiggywinkle said to have lived behind a tiny door on Cat Bells itself.

6. Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales

Photo: Countryfile.com

With an elevation of 2,372 feet, this mountain has been ranked at the second position in the Yorkshire Dales. If you want to have a brush with the remains of huts built during the Iron Age, then you will have to gather all your strength to reach the top of the mountain. If you want to save your energy to climb other mountains as well, then at least make sure you wander towards the western side to witness the White Scars, a huge limestone plateau. You can also explore the White Scar Caves.

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7. Buckden Pike, Yorkshire Dales

Photo - Wikimedia Commons

Despite the 2,303 feet, most of the hikers prefer to climb to the summit to witness the memorial cross. The cross was established here in the memory of five Polish airmen from the Royal Air Force who crashed their bomber plane on January 30, 1942.

Some climb to witness the great views of breathtaking sights, such as Yockenthwaite Moor, Yorkshire Three Peaks, and the Firth Fell.

8. Ben Macdui, Cairngorms

Photo: Red Rock Adventures - WordPress

Standing a lofty 1309 metres tall, Ben Macdui is the second highest mountain in Britain. It is the highest point in the Cairngorms and climbing it makes for an even wilder experience than its big brother Ben Nevis thanks to it being lesser-known.

The desolate passes and summit are said to be haunted by “The Big Grey Man” – so it’s not one for the faint of heart when it comes to both fitness and being spooked. In winter, the peak is blasted by freezing temperatures and snow, pulling in skiers to the nearby Cairngorm Ski Centre. Approaching from Speyside, you will cross the vast, exposed Cairngorm plateau. This is one of the best hikes in Scotland - but good navigation skills are required.

9. Great Gable, Lake District

Photo: karlswalks.co.uk

Having an elevation of 2,949 feet, the mountain appears to have a pyramid type shape. Reaching the summit, you will witness the panoramic views and huge boulders.

You also get to explore one of the well-known Adventure Peaks Lake District Guided Walks. There are multiple routes through which you get to explore the mountain, even if you don’t desire climbing to the top.

10. Helvellyn, Lake District

Photo: Herdy

If you want to enjoy the mesmerizing views stretching from Wales to Scotland, then you need to be at the top of this mountain. Trust me, it is worth putting all that effort into reaching the top. Helvellyn is 3,000 feet high and is ranked as the third highest peak in England. Over the years, many avid climbers have successfully trekked to the top through Striding Edge, having a narrow track with huge drops on both sides.

Here, you also get to enjoy a variety of hiking routes that are both easy and difficult, making climbing this mountain that much more interesting.

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