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Best Mountain Hikes in United Kingdom

We track 116 routes that match this search in United Kingdom. They average 11.5 km and 256 m (840 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 155 km.

That is 4 percent of the 2,850 routes we map in United Kingdom. They are shorter than the local average, 11.5 km against 20.3 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 256 m (840 ft) against 447 m (1,467 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Mountain routes trade effort for scale. Expect sustained climbing, quick weather changes and views that make the numbers worth it. The mix is broad: 57 are rated easy and 22 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Expert

Great Glen Way

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
123 km
/ 76.7 mi
Elevation gain
2,714 m
Typical duration
33 hr
  • Mountain
  • Castle and ruins
  • Long-distance path
Hard

Conwy Mountain alternative

Wales · United Kingdom

Distance
16.1 km
/ 10.0 mi
Elevation gain
354 m
Typical duration
3 hr 55 min
  • Mountain
Expert

Kennet and Avon Canal Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
155 km
/ 96.1 mi
Elevation gain
3,401 m
Typical duration
41 hr
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Saint Conan Coastal Route

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
53.3 km
/ 33.1 mi
Elevation gain
1,173 m
Typical duration
14 hr
  • Coastal
  • Mountain
Easy

Ben Lomond Viewpoint

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
3.2 km
/ 2.0 mi
Elevation gain
71 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Hard

High Peak Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
28.5 km
/ 17.7 mi
Elevation gain
627 m
Typical duration
7 hr 17 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
Easy

Lough Trail, Belfast Area

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
31 m
Typical duration
20 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

Loch A Choire Route

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
11.6 km
/ 7.2 mi
Elevation gain
255 m
Typical duration
2 hr 48 min
  • Lake
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Peak Pilgrimage

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Mountain
  • Pilgrimage route
Easy

Barnhill Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Forest
Easy

Jubilee Trail

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.2 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
17 min
  • Mountain
  • Summit push
  • Forest
Expert

Greensand Ridge Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
72.2 km
/ 44.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,588 m
Typical duration
19 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Easy

Coastal Path Walk, Mournes

Northern Ireland · United Kingdom

Distance
3.4 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
74 m
Typical duration
49 min
  • Coastal
  • Mountain
Easy

Beinn Langais

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Golspie - Ben Bhraggie

Scotland · United Kingdom

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
44 m
Typical duration
29 min
  • Mountain
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Great Glen WayScotland123 km2,714 m33 hrExpertApril to October
Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail, Ullswater ValleyEngland6.8 km151 m1 hr 39 minModerateApril to October
Cape Wrath Trail (Beinn Eighe Diversion)Scotland17.8 km391 m4 hr 22 minHardApril to October
Conwy Mountain alternativeWales16.1 km354 m3 hr 55 minHardApril to October
Great Glen Way - alternative via Carn na LeitireScotland4.1 km90 m59 minEasyApril to October
Buttermere to Rannerdale Walk, North Lakes OutdoorsEngland4.6 km102 m1 hr 7 minEasyApril to October
Kennet and Avon Canal TrailEngland155 km3,401 m41 hrExpertApril to October
Saint Conan Coastal RouteScotland53.3 km1,173 m14 hrExpertApril to October
Corfe Common History Walk, Corfe CastleEngland3.3 km73 m48 minEasyApril to October
Craflwyn, Hafod y Llan and Llyn Dinas walk, CraflwynWales10.9 km240 m2 hr 38 minModerateApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Great Glen Way, Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail, Ullswater Valley, Great Glen Way - alternative via Carn na Leitire. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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