The best hikes are great for the mind, body & soul.
A lot of people are now discovering the beauty and wanders of the great outdoors which is actually great- The outdoors has done wanders for my well-being and lifestyleâŠmaybe it can do the same for you!
Itâs a great feeling, Putting your body to the test of conquering a mountain!
You do not have to travel far and there are various routes for all levels of abilities.
So hereâs my personal guide to make it that little bit easier for you!
Stuck on what to take and where to go?!
Just a few little tips before heading out:
- Ensure correct ankle supportive footwear with grip & wear good socks.
- Prepare clothing for weather and weather change.
- Water and snacks.
- Small first aid kit.
- Head torch just incase it gets dark.
- Battery pack incase you need your phone.
- Itâs always good to navigate with a map & compass but I will admit I use my phone for navigation after researching the route beforehand.
- Always check the weather in the area youâre going to.
- If itâs winter – make sure you know how to use crampons & an ice axe.
- Walking poles (optional)
- LEAVE NO TRACE (not optional)
Find information on each top mountain below:
The National 3 peaks
Ben Nevis 1,345m (4,413 ft)
Scarfell Pike 978m (3,209 ft)
Snowdon 1,085m (3,560 ft)
The Welsh 3 peaks
Pen Y Fan 886m (2,907 ft)
Cadair Idris 893m (2,930 ft)
Snowdon 1,085m (3,560 ft)
The English 3 peaks
Helvellyn 950m (3,117 ft)
Scarfell 978m (3,209 ft)
Skiddaw 931m (3,054 ft)
The Yorkshire 3 peaks
Pen-y-Ghent 694m
Whernside 736m
Ingleborough 723m
The Brecon Beacon 3 peaks
Sugar Loaf 596m (1,955 ft)
Skirrid 486m (1594 ft)
Blorenge 561m (1,841 ft)
These are all must do mountains – whether you complete the challenges over 72 hours, 48 hours, 24 hours or less or you do them all individually.
Planning your adventure is most important, choosing which route youâre going to be taking is most important. It is important to research your route.
I personally have a few trail apps I use that are most helpful:
There are many but here are a few I use;
- kamoot
- what3words
- os maps
You can download offline navigation to ensure a safe adventure.
Scrambling
This is in between hiking / hill or mountain walking and rock climbing. Thereâs different grades of scramble, Grade 1 being the least difficult. I thought Iâd share a few tips, So, without further ado;
- Research your route (know what youâve got to tackle)
- Wear good boots or trail shoes – with good rubber grip (really helps on steep sections)
- Test hand holds and foot placements before putting your full weight on them (they can look inviting until they move!)
- Slow & Steady wins the race (I say this every time Iâm sure) Take it easy, donât rush – avoid injury and making a mistake.
- & of courseâŠEnjoy the views!
- Ps: if in doubt get low or on your bum where you can!
- Down climbing is usually tougher combining gravity and fatigue so if this is the case for you then take an easier route down.
- Donât climb up anything you canât climb down!
Grade 1 Scrambling requires both hands, routes can be thrilling but nothing too technical and no need for ropes. Youâll be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views with scramble exposure.
Never have I ever yet done beyond grade 1 BUT;
Grade 2 Iâd say go with someone experienced. They can be hairy.
Grade 3 Iâd say get practise indoor climbing. These climbs may require ropes and climbing gear. I would suggest being comfortable with grade 2 before moving to grade 3.
If you have bagged a few summits already and are looking to try a grade 1 scramble, these classic routes offer great fun, thrill and viewsâŠ
Crib Goch, Tryfan and Crib Lem in Snowdonia,
Helvellynâs Striding Edge and Blencathraâs Sharp Edge in the Lake District, or Ben Nevisâ CMD Arete in Scotland would be some good starter options.
Remember to always research your route and always be prepared! đ
These routes can be deathly â ïž These routes require experience outdoors and confidence⊠respect the mountains.
B.Y.O.H. Best Hikes: continued
Best Hikes in Wales
Tryfan 917.5m (3,010 ft)
Ogwen Valley – Glyderau – Y Garn 947 m (3,107 ft) & The Glyders 1,000.8m (3,283 ft)
Pen Ye Ole Wen 978 m (3,209 ft)
Moel Famou 554 metres (1,818 feet)
Moel Siabod 872 metres (2,861 ft)
Cnicht 689 m (2,260 ft)
Dinorwic Quarry
Fairy Glen – Betws y Coed (walk)
Fishermans – Betws y Coed (walk)
Ystradfelte waterfalls (walk)
Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall (walk)
Secret Llanberis Bomb Store
Secret waterfall
Secret infinity pool
Llanymynech nature reserve & kiln
Rhiwargor waterfall
Best Hikes in West Midlands
Clent Hills 315m (1,033 ft)
The Malvern Hills 425m (1,394 ft)
Kinver Edge & Nannyâs Cave (walk)
Best Hikes in Shropshire
Rodneys Pillar 403m (1,322 ft)
Haughmond Hill 153m (502 ft)
Lyth Hill 169m (557ft)
Earls Hill/ Pontesbury Hill 319.5m (1,048ft)
The Wrekin & The Ercall 407m (1,335 feet)
The Lawley 377m (1,237ft)
Hope Bowdler 426m (1,398ft)
Caer Caradoc & cave 459m (1,506 ft)
Corndon Hill 514 m (1,686 ft)
Carding Mill Valley & The Long Mynd 516m (1,693 ft)
Stiperstones 536m (1,759 ft)
Titterstone 533m (1,749 ft)
Brown Clee 540m (1,770 ft)
Rectory Wood (walk)
Nescliffe Country Park (walk)
Ironbridge Gorge (walk)
Wenlock Edge (walk)
Eardington Nature reserve & waterfall (walk)
Caynton cave
Best Hikes in The Peak District
Bamford Edge 420m (1381 ft)
Chrome Hill 425m (1,394 ft)
Stanage Edge with Robin Hoods Cave 458m (1,503 ft)
Luds Church (walk) & The Roaches 505m (1,657 ft)
Mam Tor 517m (1,696 ft)
Bleaklow 633m (2,077 ft)
Thors Cave (walk)
Stepping stones & Reynard’s cave
Cheedale stepping stones monsal trail
Best Hikes in The Lake District
Cat Bells 451m (1,480 ft)
Old man of coniston 416 m (1,365 ft)
Brothers Water & The Priest Hole 792m (2,598 feet)
Great Gable 899 m (2,949 ft)
Blencathra [via sharp edge] 868m (2,848 ft)
Cathedral cave
Best Hikes in Scotland
Man of storr (Isle of Skye)
Stac polaidh
The corpach shipwreck
Fairy pools
The devils pulpit finnich Glen
Loch Ness
Best Hikes in Yorkshire
Malham cove Gordale scar & Janetâs foss
Brimham rocks
Best Hikes on Mountains in more detail:
Ben Nevis
1,345m (4,413 ft)
The highest mountain in Scotland & the British isles.
The Mountain track is the most popular and easiest route up to the summit. I would recommend walking poles on this one as it is a long climb – theyâll help with the fatigue on the descent. The weather can be so different on the summit here too – I went up on a sunny crisp day and it was absolutely baltic at the top with snow and ice. So bare that in mind for clothing.
The CMD arĂȘte route for a scramble with more exposure on route up to the summit – not recommended for a beginner, experience is key.
Car park: PH33 6ST for Mountain Track ÂŁ5
PH33 6SW North Face Car Park for CMD arĂȘte.
Pic: Ben Nevis Summit Trig
Snowdon
1,085m (3,560 ft)
The highest mountain in Wales & the British Isles -outside of Scotland.
This is a great mountain for beginners as there is a great variety of paths. I started with Llanberis and gradually did all of the paths on Snowdon. This was my first mountain which set me up well for other mountain adventures. It gets extremely busy now on this mountain, it is most popular so bare that in mind on weekend visits. There is often quewes to the trig on the summit.
Llanberis is your easiest beginners path here to the summit.
Car parks: LL55 4TD ÂŁ5
There are plenty of paths to choose from depending on experience, or what youâre after.
The Pyg track and Miners track, both intermediate level, also popular routes,
Both accessible from Pen-y-pass car park: LL55 4NU.
Pen y Pass parking costs have gone up recently and are now, ÂŁ18 for an 8 hour pass, ÂŁ25 upto 12 hours and ÂŁ40 for a 24 hour pass. (It would be safer getting 12hr pass if itâs your first time it may take you longer than 8hrs)
The Rhyd Ddu path and Watkin path, both similar level as each other, Watkin is a lovely path, it has rock pools on the way up which is great in the nice weather to have a wild dip, just a slightly exposed loose scree section near the top!
The Snowdon Ranger path is a very quiet route and is the opposite side of the mountain, itâs a straight forward rubble path.
Alike to the CMD arĂȘte on Ben Nevis, Snowdon offers Crib Goch – the knife edge & pinnacles. This is by no means a path to offer beginners and is strongly advised that you are aware of the difficulty on this route and experience is key.
Pic: Snowdon – Pyg Track
Pic: Snowdon via Crib Goch
Scarfell Pike
978m (3,209 ft)
To complete the 3 highest peaks – this is the highest peak in England. This is the smallest peak of the 3 but not easiest! Itâs a tough one with its large boulders and very steep ascent towards the end up to the summit.
- Wasdale Head (easiest)
- Seathwaite, Borrowdale (Corridor Route) -recommended
- Mickledore / Broad stand – ridge route
Car park: (Seathwaite) Honister Pass CA12 5XJ Free
Pic: Scarfell
Helvellyn via Striding Edge & Swirral Edge descent in the Lake District.
950m (3,117 ft)
This is a top mountain walk, it is my personal favourite. It has everything to offer with the views and excitement on the route, nothing too scarey but not completely easy!
Car park: CA11 0PA ÂŁ8
Pic: looking back at Striding Edge, Helvellyn
Pen-Y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons, Wales
886m (2,907 ft)
Corn Du / Pen Y Fan / Cribyn / Fan Y Big
Car park: LD3 8NL Free
Pic: Heading to Corn du, first summit on route
Cadair Idris
893m (2,930 ft)
The Minffordd Path walk – this is a tough mountain!
I would say toughest in Wales!
Car park: LL36 9AJ ÂŁ6
Pic: Cadair Idris Summit Trig
If you would like a mountain day but still unsure then itâs a great idea to hire a Mountain Leader to take you up and down safely.
