Most people think of the Alps or the Himalayas when you mention mountains, but here in the UK, we’re spoiled for choice. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we’ve got you covered. Here are our top picks for the best mountains for beginners to climb in the UK.
But when it comes to pushing your limits, can you think of anything better than climbing a mountain? Steep ascents, loose terrain, unpredictable weather, and, worst of all, false summits When you finally reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a view to die for—and a dopamine rush that could knock the socks off of a runner’s high.
Time to dig your waterproofs out and lace those walking boots; we’re going hiking.
The 10 Best mountains for beginners to climb in the UK
Snowdon
- Where: Snowdonia (duh)
- Elevation: 1085m
- Difficulty rating: 3/5
- Great for: All climbers
What else would I choose to put first on the list, other than Snowdon, the tallest mountain in the UK outside of the Scottish Highlands? Formed by volcanoes millennia ago and since shaped by long-gone glaciers, the area is truly stunning and attracts more than 700,000 people a year to tackle the peak.
With the sheer number of tourists visiting the area, the local authorities have done a fantastic job of developing different trails to reach the top. There really is something for all experience levels here; most people will take the Miners Path, which will take about 5 hours to complete. But if you’re a bit more apprehensive about getting lost or your fitness, the Llanberis path would be your best bet; it’s a bit longer, but it’s also a lot more gradual.
For those who either can’t or don’t fancy a full day of hiking, Snowdon is actually one of the few mountains that has a train service that will take you all the way to the summit (for a hefty price).
Tip: While not for the faint of heart, Crib Goch is a must for those with an adrenaline addiction. The knife edge ridge is an alternative route to the top, but make sure you check the weather beforehand, it’s really dangerous when it’s windy!
Pen Y Fan
- Where: The Brecon Beacons (Southern Wales)
- Elevation: 886m
- Difficulty rating: 3/5
- Great for: intermediate climbers
Pen Y Fan is probably the best starter peak for most people in the country; it’s only a stones throw from Cardiff, Birmingham, and Bristol and is surprisingly accessible. It doesn’t draw the same crowds as Snowdon, which is both a blessing and a curse. The main positive is that you’re much more likely to get a parking spot and some peace and quiet, with the big drawback being a lack of development of different routes.
It’s considered one of the more gentle peaks to climb in the UK; there aren’t any really technically challenging parts, but if you do fancy a challenge, why not take the 11-mile route that will take you over other mountains in the range? Most people, however, will park on the A470 and take the short route up; it’ll only take you two hours to reach the summit, and you get some seriously impressive views (it reminded me of the north in Game of Thrones).
While it is one of the more gentle peaks on this list, you’ll still need your waterproofs and hiking boots; it can get seriously cold up there!
Tryfan
- Where: Snowdonia (North Wales)
- Elevation: 917m
- Difficulty rating: 4/5
- Great for: experienced climbers
Tryfan is a mountain in the Ogwen Valley of Snowdonia and is one of the most recognisable peaks in the UK, having a rugged pointed shape with lots of crags that climbers will have to contend with. It’s for this reason that it’s one of the most challenging peaks on this list; the altitude isn’t too bad, but technically speaking, it can get very tricky, especially in the typically unpredictable Welsh weather.
There are a range of different routes, but even the easiest is a grade one scramble to the peak, so you will have to use your hands. For those who crave a challenge and are comfortable with a rocky scramble, there really is nowhere better in Wales. But you should be careful; in winter, the peak is often covered in a layer of snow and ice. Even the feral mountain goats avoid the peak in this weather, so you should too!
Ben Nevis
- Where: Scottish Highlands
- Elevation: 1345m
- Difficulty rating: 4/5
- Great for: experienced climbers
Ben Nevis is by a long way the UK’s tallest mountain, towering above everything else. We’re not pretending it’s anything like Everest or Mont Blanc, but it is challenging none the less and will definitely give you bragging rights among friends. You’ll find Ben Nevis near the quaint mountain town of Fort William, and as with all of the other peaks on this list, you’ve got more than your fair share of routes to pick from.
Those of you who are most experienced should look into tackling the ‘North Face’, one of the UK’s highest cliffs and a formidable climb that offers some incredible views over Loch Lomond. For those like me who don’t possess world-class climbing skills, you can ease yourself in a lot more gently on the “Mountain Path” route, which starts at Glen Nevis and winds up to Ben Nevis.
Cat Bells
- Where: Lake District
- Elevation: 451m
- Difficulty rating: 2/5
- Great for: beginner walkers
If you’re looking for something easy to get you started with the whole scaling mountains thing, Cat Bells is for you. There’s a range of routes for you to take, with most only taking about 3 hours of your time. Despite it being a short climb at a low altitude, it will still be a little bit tricky for most people.
This peak offers all the benefits of a monster mountain—think scrambles, steep sections, and loose ground—while also keeping the amount of equipment, motivation, and time spent down. It really is the perfect place for you to begin your mountaineering journey.
Fun fact: The name Cat Bells derives from “car bield” meaning “wild cats lair”, In days gone by, you might have seen a panther scrambling over the rocks at the summit. Thankfully, nowadays you’re more likely to see sheep, goats, or friendly ramblers.
Scafell Pike
- Where: Lake District
- Elevation: 978m
- Difficulty rating: 4/5
- Great for: intermediate climbers
Welcome to the highest mountain in England, a mountain whose reputation precedes it. Personally, it’s by far my favourite on this list, and for a few different reasons. Firstly, the views here are staggering; on a clear day, you’ll see all four nations of the British Isles. Think about that for a moment. Four nations seen from one spot—pretty incredible, right?
Secondly, the routes to the summit are really well developed and varied; for someone like me, there are some really challenging and quite steep routes. But if you want something that’s more gradual, meandering through the incredible scenery before reaching the summit, yep, you’ve guessed it, it’s here.
But perhaps my favourite thing about Scafell Pike is that there are no buildings at the peak. After climbing Snowdon and being greeted by a café and a queue for a photo at the summit, I really appreciated how wild this felt.
Buachaille Etive Mor
- Where: Scotland
- Elevation: 1022m
- Difficulty rating: 3/5
- Great for: intermediate climbers
Known locally as “The Buachaille”, this is one of Scotland’s most celebrated and visually striking Munroes. The sharp, triangular summit rises starkly out of the ground and 1022m into the sky, exposing a sheer cliff that extends from the summit to the valley floor.
To climb this mountain, you’ll also have to tackle four different peaks, including Glen Etvie and a great ridge. It’s no surprise that it’s considered to be one of the UK’s best. The climb itself is split into 3 stages, as seen below:
Stage 1: Climb to the summit ridge via Coire na Tulaich.
Stage 2: Traversing the summit ridge, including conquering four summits
Stage 3: Descend from Stob na Broige to the glen and return to the main road.
Helvellyn
- Where: Cumbria
- Elevation: 950m
- Difficulty rating: 3/5
- Great for: All abilities
Helvellyn is the third-highest mountain in the UK after Ben Nevis and Snowdon and sits in its namesake range in the far north of England. Like Snowdon, the best thing about this mountain is that there are a range of different paths to the summit. I’ll always say this: the best mountains are the ones you can scale multiple times, from different angles, and get a different view and experience every time. Helvellyn is the perfect example of this.
My personal favourite route is the “striding edge”, a narrow rocky ridge that will have your heart racing as you carefully plan every step. If you choose this route, have fun, but be careful. There’s been a massive increase in accidents lately because people underestimate how technical it can be in bad weather!
However, if you’re not an adrenaline junkie like me, you can take the long route from Grisedale via Dollywagon Pike. You’ll avoid all of the ridges on this route, and it’s a lot more gradual. But it does take a little longer.
Kinder Scout
- Where: Peak District
- Elevation: 633m
- Difficulty rating: 2/5
- Great for: Beginners
Sandwiched between Manchester and Sheffield at the base of the Pennines, Kinder Scout is a mountain for everyone. But in particular, it is fantastic for beginners, and its prime location near two population centres means it is wildly popular.
“The People’s Mountain” was named after the 1932 mass trespass that helped shape modern legislation to ensure the public’s right to roam as well as to create national parks. For this reason alone, it should be on everyone’s list as a sort of pilgrimage. But more than that, it is a genuinely stunning area of the UK, featuring rolling hills, steep rocky scree, and the iconic—and ominously named—Kinder-Downfall waterfall.
There have also been recent discoveries of Bronze Age arrows and medieval crosses. This remarkable area of the Peak District is a true haven for lovers of history, legend, and the great outdoors.
The old man of Coniston
- Where: Lake District
- Elevation: 803m
- Difficulty rating: 3/5
- Great for: All abilities
The Old Man of Coniston is one of the higher peaks in the Lake District and, in my opinion, the best-named peak in the UK. But it’s appeal reaches further than its name; it towers over its namesake town, Coniston, and immediately draws the eye.
Once a mining powerhouse focused on slate and copper, it is now solely for leisure and nature, but the scars of its industrial past remain. Quarries mar the landscape, but they form an important reminder of the history of this region and only make you more grateful that it has transitioned into a hauntingly beautiful and sparsely populated park.
The Coniston Walk itself, like many others on this list, is blessed with a range of routes to the summit. Many of them are long loops up and around the mountain, but my personal favourite and best for beginners is the circular route starting at Walna Scar Car Park. You will need a decent level of fitness to complete this, but there are no technical sections or intense scrambles.
Closing thoughts
I hope you enjoyed this list. Despite being renowned for being mostly flat, the UK has some incredible hiking available for those who are intrepid enough to venture to our myriad of national parks. I only used to hike when I was abroad; in fact, my first hikes were in the French Alps, Nepal, and the Bolivian Andes, but the rolling peaks of England, Scotland, and Wales have a special place in my heart.
You really won’t find the landscapes on this list anywhere else in the world. The desolate, windswept peaks have abundant crags, screes, and world-beating vistas. While they may not be as dramatic as the Himalayas, they’re quintessentially British and utterly unique.
