If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, there’s nothing quite like the sense of achievement you feel after enjoying a mountain hike, no matter how easy or difficult it was to complete.
Here in the UK, we’re very lucky to have an abundance of glorious mountain hiking routes. However, If you’re looking for a little inspiration, you’re in the right place.
We’ve put together some of the best mountain hiking routes across the UK, and separated them into levels of difficulty – so that you can decide which option is best for you.
Read on to discover the best mountain hiking routes in the UK…
Average hiking distance: 7km.
Ascent: 400m.
Difficulty: beginner to intermediate.
Average time to complete: 2-3.5 hours.
Suitable for kids: yes.
To start, we have the pleasure of introducing you to the Clougha Pike hiking route, which can be found in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, England.
The Clougha Pike hiking route has been deemed somewhere in between beginner to intermediate level, depending on the hiker you talk to. However, depending on what pace you go at – it can be as easy or as difficult as you’d like.
Starting from the Birk Bank car park, situated on Rigg Lane, Quernmore, what you can expect from the Clougha Pike hiking route is a challenging trail at times that is made worthwhile once you reach the top. What seems to be general consensus is that the ascent is a walk in the park in comparison to the descent, where hikers have spoken of steep paths and uneven terrain.
If you don’t mind a challenge on the way down, hikers can expect to be met with spectacular views of the Lakeland Fells and the Irish Sea towards the Isle of Man. In fact, various hikers have reported astonishing views of Snowdon, which if you aren’t familiar with, is the highest mountain in the entirety of Wales – approximately 100 miles away from where you will be standing.
Average hiking distance: 9.5km.
Ascent: 445m.
Difficulty: intermediate.
Average time to complete: 4 hours.
Suitable for kids: no.
Next, we have the superb Pen-y-ghent mountain hiking route, situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in the north of England. This is the lowest of the famous Three Peaks in Yorkshire.
Commonly referred to as the “Mountain of the Winds” in the outdoor enthusiast community, this hiking trail starts in the small village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale, easily distinguishable by its close proximity to the River Ribble.
Hikers should take precaution if steep scrambles and tough terrain aren’t the type of hike they want to partake in – because there is plenty of that throughout this 9.5km hike.
However, if you don’t mind enduring the challenge, what you can expect to see when you reach the top is panoramic views of the whole Yorkshire Dales National Park. Because the terrain is truly tough in some parts of the hike, the sense of accomplishment is highly satisfying for many hiking enthusiasts.
Average hiking distance: 9km.
Ascent: approximately 400m.
Difficulty: extremely challenging.
Average time to complete: 6 to 9 hours.
Suitable for kids: no.
Hiking enthusiasts reading this should take note that there is no easy way of tackling this hike (we checked, and then double-checked). So, if you do decide to take on the challenge – ensure that you have your stamina and dedication with you!
Most hikers will begin their ascent at Mickledore, which is the ridge where the mountains of Scafell and Scafell Pike connect. What seasoned hikers can expect from this experience is extremely challenging terrain with some narrow footing from the start, with rock climbing and steep steps in some parts. In fact, some seasoned hikers have described this experience as “a scramble” at times, almost feeling like it’s a fight to reach the top.
Contrary to the other mountain hiking routes we’ve touched on in this article, the spectacular views once you reach the top isn’t usually the pull factor for taking on this challenge. Instead, it’s because of how challenging it is from the get-go, which in turn, allows hikers to feel a greater sense of achievement once the hike is complete.
Aside from this point of view, the Broad Stand mountain hike still offers superb views throughout the whole experience, including panoramic views of vast valley landscape and greenery.
Lastly, we feel the need to reiterate that this isn’t a hike to participate in if you are a beginner. This is strictly for hikers who have many experiences with extremely challenging terrain and poor visibility settings, and even rock climbing experience under their belt!
Average hiking distance: 12km.
Ascent: approximately 777m.
Difficulty: intermediate to challenging.
Average time to complete: 6 to 8 hours.
Suitable for kids: yes.
We couldn’t do an article on the best mountain hiking routes in the UK without mentioning the magnificent challenge that is Mount Snowdon!
Mount Snowdon can be found in Gwynedd, North Wales. It’s famous for being the highest mountain in the entirety of Wales, so you’ll likely never find a quiet day as visitors come from far and wide for the tremendous experience.
Mount Snowdon can be quite a challenging ascent at times, but as long as you take it at your own pace, most hikers shouldn’t run into any problems. What’s more, there are many hiking path options available for all levels of hikers, so no matter what level you feel comfortable with, you’ll still be able to experience the most spectacularly breathtaking views of Wales.
Natural landscapes, vast greenery that is completely untouched, moonscapes and also riverscapes are just a few of the natural wonders that you’ll be able to feast your eyes on throughout your hike. In fact, hikers who have reached the top of Mount Snowdon have reported views of Ireland! So, if you catch yourself embarking on a hike on a particularly clear day, you may just have the chance to see this for yourself.
If you’re unsure what path you should take when tackling Mount Snowdon, the most well-known trail is the Watkin path. However, if this doesn’t sound like the trail for you, we would recommend researching these alternative trails:
Average hiking distance: 18km.
Ascent: approximately 1,352m.
Difficulty: intermediate to challenging.
Average time to complete: 7 to 9 hours.
Suitable for kids: no.
Scotland is home to many incredibly interesting places to go hiking – it almost feels impossible to select just one to recommend to outdoor enthusiasts. However, we thought a good place to start would be Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the entire UK.
If you love a challenge, you’ll love this mountain hike that takes place in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. The route is described by fellow hikers as challenging, but pretty straightforward, with some rocky terrain at times. There are no unexpected surprises, as long as you’re ready for a steep ascent. And a long one.
If you find yourself taking on Ben Nevis during winter, come prepared. If snow is present (which is often), you’ll need to pay careful attention to ensure that you stay on the right path.
Signage can become covered by the snowfall, and hikers have found themselves off track and venturing into some dangerous territory – so keep your eyes peeled! It goes without saying, but a winter hike up Ben Nevis will require professional hiking equipment that is specially designed for ice and snow conditions.
Once you reach the top of Ben Nevis, take a moment to truly savour it. You will have just climbed the highest mountain in the United Kingdom after all, and that’s a big win.
You’ll also be welcomed with the most astonishing views, which include panoramic sights of Scotland in its full glory, stretching as far as Northern Ireland. Seascapes, vast landscapes and sights of the famous Torridon Hills, Morven at Caithness and Ben Lomond are also visible.
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