Walking the UK's Wild Mountains

by Sue Talbot

Ben Nevis, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) and Scafell Pike are the titans of the British Isles, and often the summits that draw the most hikers to their trails. But many of the best mountain trails don’t boast the highest elevation. Some of the most awe-inspiring, soul-stirring adventures are defined by character, drama and their unfiltered beauty rather than their height.

Pavey Ark, Lake District

While it doesn't scrape the clouds quite like the Scafells, Pavey Ark is a rugged and distinctive peak that makes up one of the fells of the iconic Langdale Pikes. If you love a challenge, you can climb up via the famous “Jack’s Rake“, a diagonal traverse that cuts right across the sheer cliff face. However, I wouldn’t recommend this route if you feel queasy at the mere thought of heights!

Whichever route you take, you’re rewarded with views over the valley and the shimmering waters of Stickle Tarn, a high-altitude body of water that feels almost lunar-like. At 700 metres in height, this isn’t a walk in the park by any means, but it’s far less intimidating than the likes of Ben Nevis. On a clear day, you can immerse yourself in fabulous views across to Lingmoor Fell and Windermere.

Suilven, Scottish Highlands

Suilven by Steve Bittinger. Shared unaltered under a Creative Commons licence.

The remote and wild landscape of Assynt in the Scotland Highlands is dominated by rugged peaks. Suilven is arguably the most recognisable as it rises from the moorland like an ancient spire, formed by glacial ice. You won’t find a paved path leading to its summit as the trail winds up through a prehistoric landscape of lochans and peat bogs.

The scenery is vast and remote in the best possible way and as you near the base and eventually scramble to the narrow ridge of the summit, you’ll feel miles away from civilisation. This is the kind of place where time stands still, and you can lose yourself in the tranquillity.

Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland

Slieve Donard Summit by Rob Hurson. Shared unaltered under a Creative Commons licence.

Although this peak stands at 852m and is the highest in the Mourne Mountains and Northern Ireland, it’s the variety of the walk that sticks in your memory. Standing like a sentinel over the Irish Sea, Slieve Donard boasts panoramic views, neolithic passage tombs and a Bronze Age burial site.

You begin the walk through Donard Wood, following the Glen River and a series of beautiful cascades. As you climb higher, the woodland gives way to the granite Mourne Wall, which snakes across the peaks of the Mourne Mountains. From the summit you can see across the water towards the Isle of Man and the distant Welsh coastline.

Pen y Fan, South Wales

Pen y Fan by Daniel Thornton. Shared cropped under a Creative Commons licence.

While Pen y Fan lacks the jagged, more dramatic appearance of the mountains in North Wales, it has a stately grandeur and remains a favourite among the Brecon Beacons. The trail along the Corn Du ridge gives you a unique perspective of the summit, which resembles a giant’s table. The scenery feels pure and untouched as it sweeps between the verdant valleys, interrupted only by the wild ponies that roam the slopes.

Pen-y-ghent, Yorkshire Dales

You can find Pen-y-ghent on the Dales High Way. Known as the smallest of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the mountain punches well above its weight in terms of personality. The start of the walk is steady and defined by dry-stone walls and the familiar limestone landscape of the Dales. As you reach the base of the final ascent, the stone steps really begin to test your legs, and you might find yourself stopping to take a few more photos!

Once you reach the summit, the view over rolling hills and patchwork fields, peppered with grazing sheep, is what gives Pen-y-ghent its reputation for outstanding natural beauty. Even though it’s an approachable, straightforward peak, the sense of accomplishment is just as satisfying as if you’d climbed a giant ten times its size.