Whatever your climbing experience or ability, the sense of achievement that comes with summiting a peak is hard to beat.
From the beauty of Snowdonia to the majesty of the Scottish Highlands, the UK has many climbs to conquer – but which is best for you?
We’ve found a list of summits, based on Strava data, split into categories such as the fastest, slowest, and easiest peak to climb, proving that there’s one for everyone to enjoy out there. So, go climb that mountain!
Fastest peak to climb: Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire (330m)
The highest point in the county of Gloucestershire, Cleeve Hill is located on Cleeve Common in the beautiful Cotswolds range.
On a clear day, views from its summit stretch as far as Wales.
Slowest peak to climb: Mellbreak, the Lake District (512m)
Despite being surrounded by higher fells, Mellbreak Hill in the Lake District is a laborious little peak to climb.
Its loose scree and the need to scramble some steep sections make it a satisfying challenge.
Most popular peak to climb: Pen Y Fan, the Brecon Beacons (886m)
The highest peak in South Wales, there are various ways to tackle this well-known mountain.
The four main routes up Pen Y Fan offer something to suit climbers of all abilities, so it’s no wonder this popular pinnacle topped the UK’s favourites list.
Hardest peak to climb: Ben More, Scotland (1,174m)
‘More’ translates as ‘big’ in Gaelic, and at 1,174m, Ben More in Scotland’s southern Highlands is the biggest peak in this list.
It’s also the hardest, with steep, pathless, and uneven terrain; bogs to negotiate and scrambly sections, this Munro is a tough one to bag.
Easiest peak to climb: Kisdon, Yorkshire (499m)
Everyone’s got to start somewhere, and if you’re new to climbing peaks, Kisdon in Yorkshire is a good one for beginners.
Situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Kisdon’s location away from the higher surrounding moors means you get some excellent views from its summit.
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Here are the full lists of comparative UK peaks, according to Strava data.
UK’s fastest peaks to climb
- Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire (330m)
- Caerphilly Mountain, South Wales (596m)
- Hope Mountain, North Wales (330m)
- Pen-y-Ghent, Yorkshire (694m)
- Dunkery Beacon, Somerset (520m)
- High Peak, Peak District
- Black Combe, Lake District (600m)
- Selworthy Beacon, Somerset (308m)
- Stiperstones, Shropshire (536m)
- Sugar Loaf, Brecon Beacons (596m)
UK’s slowest peaks to climb
- Mellbreak, Lake District (512m)
- Ben More, Scotland (1,174m)
- Y Garn, Wales (947m)
- Helvellyn, Lake District (950m)
- Beinn Narnain, Scotland (926m)
- Hallin Fell, Lake District (388m)
- Ben Nevis, Scotland (1,345m)
- Scafell Pike, Lake District (978m)
- Loughrigg Fell, Lake District (335m)
- Tarn Crag, Lake District (551m)
UK’s most popular UK peaks to climb
- Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons (886m)
- Catbells , Lake District (451m)
- Ben Nevis, Scotland (1,345m)
- Snowdon, North Wales (1,085m)
- Corn Du, Brecon Beacons (873m)
- Pen-y-Ghent, Yorkshire (694m)
- Ben Lomond, Scotland (974m)
- Dumyat, Scotland (418m)
- Whernside, Yorkshire (736m)
- Helvellyn, Lake District (950m)
UK’s hardest peaks to climb
- Ben More, Scotland (1,174m)
- Beinn Narnain, Scotland (926m)
- Ben Nevis, Scotland (1,345m)
- Ben Vorlich, Scotland (985m)
- Great Gable, Lake District (899m)
- Ben Lomond, Scotland (974m)
- Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland (850m)
- Skiddaw, Lake District (931m)
- Y Garn, Wales (947m)
- The Old Man of Coniston, Lake District (803m)
UK’s easiest peaks to climb
- Kisdon, Yorkshire (499m)
- Hay Bluff from Gospel’s Pass, Brecon Beacons
- Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire (330m)
- Caerphilly Mountain, South Wales (271m)
- Twmpa, Brecon Beacons (690m)
- Bloodybush, Northumberland (610m)
- High Peak, Peak District
- Dumyat, Scotland (418m)
- Moel Famau, Wales (278m)
- (Selworthy Beacon, Somerset (308m)
The fastest and slowest climbs are based on the average pace per kilometre. The average grade and elevation difference has been used to work out the easiest and most difficult peaks.
To compare like with like, only routes with a continuous ascent to the top and no downhill sections have been included.
Credit Brecon Beacons Holiday Cottages.
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