Fancy taking on a new challenge? We have picked out 5 easy mountains and peaks to climb in the UK for beginners.
Hiking is good for our mental and physical health. It’s a great activity for relieving stress and a way to spend more time in nature and less time attached to our screens. This can help improve our problem-solving skills. If you’re thinking about giving it a go we have picked out 5 easy mountains and peaks to climb in the UK for beginners.
1. Sugar Loaf Mountain, Monmouthshire
This is a fantastic walk for beginners, it’s a moderate walk with occasional steep inclines. Sugar Loaf Mountain dominates the skyline and is located in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Known as Pen Y Fal in Welsh, Sugar Loaf Mountain is a modest 596m. The summit is totally magical and rewards you with stunning views across South Wales, the Brecon Beacons, and southwest England. It really is an iconic peak.
If you enjoy spotting wildlife this is a great choice, look out for skylarks, housemartins, swallows, buzzards and even red kites soaring through the sky.
Enjoy all this mountain has to offer by giving the 5-mile circular walk a go. You can follow the full route here.
2. Snowdon, Gwynedd
Snowdon is the highest summit in Wales and stands at 1,085m. It towers over the village of Llanberis and is a great mountain to get you started as a beginner as no technical skills are required to conquer it.
You just need a decent fitness level, good comfortable footwear and plenty of determination. There are 8 routes in total you can choose from so there are plenty of choices based on your fitness level. The summit offers views of Snowdonia, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and Ireland.
You can take on Countryfile’s seven-mile mountain walk and enjoy the views that Snowdon has to offer by following the full route here.
3. Roseberry Topping, North Yorkshire
Roseberry Topping sits between Great Ayton and Newton Under Roseberry on the edge of very beautiful North Yorkshire. Roseberry Topping reaches 1,049 feet over the incredible Cleveland landscape, this may not be the tallest mountain you will ever climb but Roseberry Topping is an absolutely beautiful climb. This is perfect for anyone looking for a short and peaceful Sunday hike.
The summit rewards climbers with panoramic views. If you are lucky enough to visit on a clear day you can see for miles. You can follow the simple 2-mile walking route here.
4. The Skirrid, Monmouthshire
The Skirrid goes by a number of names such as ‘Holy Mountain’ and Ysgyryd Fawr in Welsh. The land surrounding this mountain has been considered fertile and Holy for many years. There is an ancient legend that suggests that a powerful landslide hit it the moment Christ was crucified on the cross. For this reason, religious pilgrimages have been made to the summit for centuries.
It’s a beautiful, peaceful walk that is perfect if you’re new to hiking and feel like an adventure.
You can enjoy the tranquillity of this hike by giving this easy 3.5-mile loop walk a try. You can follow the route here.
5. Mam Tor, Derbyshire
We have to say the highlight of visiting the Peak District has to be Mam Tor also known as the ‘shivering mountain.’ It is a bracing high-level route, we have taken on this challenge many times and we cannot recommend it enough for beginners.
The viewpoint at Mam Tor reaches north over the Edale Valley to Kinder Scout and the Derwent Moors. There are some wonderful spots along the way to stop and admire the view, so take a picnic!
This circular route takes you around Mam Tor and has some amazing scenery. You can follow it here.
What to pack when climbing a mountain in the UK
Even if you choose a warm and sunny day you need to be prepared as the outdoors is so unpredictable! Especially in the lovely UK… the weather can change suddenly. You will need to dress in suitable clothing for the conditions and it’s always advisable to carry a waterproof jacket and warm layers with you too. In our easy hike backpack, you will find; a light waterproof jacket, extra warm layers, gloves, a hat (a cap or warm woolly hat depending on the time of year) spare socks are always essential, water and a sugary drink, healthy snacks, plasters, and any essential medication.
Regatta, Men’s Waterproof Jacket
Made from waterproof and breathable Isolite 5000 lightweight polyamide fabric, this jack is perfect to fold up and pop in your backpack in case the weather changes suddenly. We have found it very durable and comfortable to wear. The hood provides great coverage and it comes in many colours. There is also a women sized version available.
- Waterproof and breathable Isolite 5000 lightweight polyamide fabric
- It features two hand pockets for a classic look and is a lightweight construction.
Jack Walker, Women’s Waterproof Lightweight Hiking Boots
If you’re looking for walking boots to get you started we love the Jack Walker range. They are durable, comfortable and reasonably priced for their quality. They fit snug to protect your feet and have a rubber grippy sole and a water-resistant coating so your feet will stay dry. We can’t stress how important the right footwear is for hiking.
- HYDROGUARD WATERPROOF: Static fabric lining could keep your feet for upto 8 hours and will require regular treatment to keep waterproof*
- SIX MONTH SOLE WARRANTY On All Our Footwear | 100% Approval Rate
Lightweight Roll Top Backpack
We love this rollmop backpack, it’s lightweight and really handy for hiking adventures. The rolltop feature is great as it means you always have the potential to carry more. Its eco friendly too and is made from 23 recycled plastic bottles! The bags are made from 100% recycled vegan material. They are completely waterproof as well, a great option for your first hike. Check out more of our favourite roll-top backpacks here.
- 💧 WATERPROOF: Waterproof Backpack. Lightweight backpack. Backpack Womens and Mens
- 🔝 EXPANDABLE VOLUME: Roll top Backpack. Dimensions Rolled: 42 x 28 x 16.5 cm (19.5 Liters). Dimensions Unrolled: 62 x 28 x 16.5 cm. (35 Liters) Large Backpack. Weight 0.46 kg.
Wireless Bluetooth Music Hat with LED Headlamp
We’ve added this for fun, of course not essential! Any beanie or hat that will keep you warm is suitable. A few of our friends have this hat and said it’s fantastic, it features an LED Headlamp which is always handy to have if you’re hiking or camping. It plays your favourite music via Bluetooth as well which we think is brilliant!
- 【LED Headlight Beanie】The wireless hat is equipped with 4 high light LEDs, 4 modes for LED brightness adjustment (middle brightness/high brightness/slow flashing/fast flashing), 200 lumens powerful LED headlamp generates a brilliant area of 40 meters.
So are you ready to take on one of these easy mountains and peaks to climb in the UK for beginners? Or maybe you already have, let us know how it went in the comments.
