10 treks to spellbinding summits — Soaring Mountains

Welcome to Walking! This beautiful Collection is inspired by Welcome to Walking, a 32-page guide included with the January 2022 issue of Country Walking, Britain’s bestselling walking magazine. Produced in association with komoot, it’s the complete guide to getting started in the world of walking: where to go, what to look for, how to stay on track, what to wear – and why it’s the healthiest, happiest, simplest and free-est outdoor activity on the planet.

This Collection takes you to 10 of Britain’s most beloved mountains, from grand Lakeland fells, the Peak District’s highest upland and Yorkshire's most charismatic peak to three of Wales’ most iconic massifs and a trio of Highland giants. Once you scratch beneath the surface, the sheer wealth and variety of mountain adventure available to us in Britain is astonishing. This Collection aims to showcase some of our most spectacular routes.

The 10 walks range from 5 to 11 miles (8 to 18 km) in length and all contain significant elevation gain, with the three routes in the Scottish Highlands entailing the most challenge. Plan to spend the full day on these adventures and allow yourself plenty of daylight. Many hillwalkers pack a head torch as standard, just in case, and make sure you tell someone your planned itinerary before setting out.

We would recommend walking these routes between May and October for the longer days, kinder weather and to avoid the additional complications of winter conditions. During winter, the dangers posed by the cold, extreme weather, snow and ice mean that these peaks are the preserve of experienced and equipped mountaineers only. However, winter is the perfect time to start planning such adventures and preparing for them by hiking lower objectives.

Many of these mountains are very popular, so you might want to skip public holidays and the middle of the day to avoid the crowds. September and October are some of the best months, when the light is golden, the trails are quieter and hints of the coming winter give the mountains a wilder edge.

Regardless of season, every hike in this Collection is prone to challenging weather. Our mountain regions are exposed places, bearing the brunt of weather fronts coming in off the Atlantic. Check a dedicated mountain weather forecast carefully so that you know what to expect and always pack waterproofs and spare warm layers, including a hat and gloves. The higher you climb, the colder it gets. While it might be a pleasant spring morning in the valley, your planned summit may be experiencing sub-zero temperatures. On the flip side, don’t forget your sun protection during the warmer months, even on cloudy days.

With the exception of Snowdon, you won’t find any facilities once you leave civilisation behind and you will need to be self-sufficient. Maintaining lots of energy and staying hydrated are key: pack plenty of food and drink, more than you think you will need. Treat Snowdon in the same way, as it is a serious mountain. Think of the café as a bonus and don’t rely on it.

These are 10 of the finest adventures you can have in Britain. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your hiking boots, strap on your backpack and head for the mountains!