I’ve climbed a handful of English and Welsh mountains. Most of my time is spent in; The Peak District, The Lake District, and Snowdonia. In this post, I will discuss my two favourites from each place.
These are my opinion of the mountains that I have climbed thus far. I may update this post from time to time or completely rewrite it. Either way, the mountains I discuss below are great to get under your belt.
The Lake District
There are many great options in the Lake District. Up to now, I have climbed 10 of the 214. These are the best of the ones I have climbed up to now.
1. Great Gable
Great Gable is a stunning 899m (2949.48 ft) mountain in the eastern fells of the lake district. It is one of the more popular Lakeland fells not only for its beautiful views but also for the multiple routes to get to the summit. On the summit, you have terrific views of Wastewater, and you can even see Scafell Pie ( the tallest mountain in England. You can also easily bag more than one Wainwrights on this hike as Great Gable is close to Green Gable, Kirk Fell and more.
I have done a Kirk Fell to Great Gable hike, and it was challenging but worth it. The walk took me over 5 hours, but the amazing views and the challenge were worth it.
2. Helvellyn
Helvellyn is a 950m (3116.8 ft) mountain in the Eastern Fells of the Lake District. It is the third-largest in the lakes after Scafell and Scafell Pike. There are a handful of ways up here, but the famous Striding Edge route is the most popular (and fun) by a lot. Well… If you are okay with heights and scrambling. It is not the most difficult in good conditions (still be careful), but in harsher conditions, don’t climb via Striding Edge unless experienced, as it can be hazardous.
I have climbed Helvellyn via Striding Edge. It is excellent, but you need to check the weather and be confident before taking this one.
The Peak District mountains
3. Grindsow Knoll
Grindslow Knoll, 601m ( 1971.78 ft), is a hill in the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park. Technically not a mountain. The summit has to be above 610m (2000 ft) to be a mountain, so Grindslow is just shy of that, but it’s one of my top suggestions for the peaks.
It is joined to Kinder Scout by a high col though it appears as an independent peak from most angles. It is the high point at the western side of Grindsbrook Clough. I have talked about Grindslow Knoll in a previous post.
4. Kinder Scout
Kinder Scout is the tallest mountain in the Peak District National Park. It stands at 636m (2086.61 ft), meaning it is just barely classified as a mountain in the UK. This is on my list as there are so many ways to climb it (too many to count) that you can always find a new route up. You can also find animals, waterfalls and more on the summit, along with a trig point (Kinder Low Trig Point).
The most common route up is via the Jacobs ladder. I often head up from the opposite side, staring at the kinder road. This is also the side that leads to kinder downfall, which I have written a whole post about. Another post I wrote about Kinder is about the more scrambly and enjoyable Crowden tower route. This starts at the same place you would go up via Jacobs Ladder (in Edale).
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is unique, and I have only climbed a few mountains. There may be better than I am yet to try. Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) isn’t on here because it is just too busy. I climbed the miner’s track; don’t get me wrong, it was fun, but I was just too busy.
5. Tryfan
Tryfan 918m (3012ft) is a crazy mountain. So technical and fun, the nut can be made more accessible depending on your route to the top. There are too many routes up this mountain, but everyone agrees on jumping the Adam and Eve stones at the top.
The most popular route up Tryfan is Via the North Ridge. This is because it is technical and quite a challenging scramble. When tackling Tryfan, trust your skills and, if possible, go with someone just in case. I have climbed Tryfan Via the North Ridge and posted about it. Check it out if you’re heading up there.
6. Y Garn
Y Garn is a stunning mountain, the first I did in Snowdonia. It is located in the Ogwen Valley at 947m (3106ft). This mountain, along with most others, has many routes up it. Some easier and some more challenging. It all depends on how you go about it. You can walk straight up it passed Llyn Idwal or do a walk where you start with the above Tryfan and make a big hike. That’s all subject to time and ability.
Y Garn also has beautiful views once you climb and hike up to the top. Being one of the tallest in Snowdonia, you can see for miles on a clear day. I had fantastic water when I scrambled up here. I have written about my hike up Y Garn, so if you plan to hike this, check that out first.
