5 Of Our Favourite Mountains To Explore In Summer

Summer for many of us brings with it the call of the mountains. With clear days and pleasant weather promising stunning views and unchallenging conditions in which to reach them, it’s possibly the best time of year to lace up your boots and venture to higher ground. Here are 5 of our favourite mountains to explore in summer.

Sometimes, on a hot summer day, a strenuous trek up a high mountain isn’t always appealing – and that’s where smaller but no less beautiful mountains like Cat Bells in the Lake District come in. At just 415m, Cat Bells is also the perfect starter hill for less experienced hillwalkers, or for kids’ first taste of the mountains – they’ll feel so proud of their achievement and hopefully develop a hobby for life.

At 886m, Pen y Fan is the highest peak in southern Britain, heading more into what many would consider mountain territory. However, the well-made paths to the top and mostly temperate weather keep it accessible, so most people can get up there and experience the beauty of the undulating Brecon Beacons.

For many, Ingleborough is just the final part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge – which means it often doesn’t get the appreciation that we think it deserves. Anyone with even a passing interest in geology will appreciate the incredibly varied terrain, while the 723m climb up to the stunning views will be more than enough to satisfy anyone else.

Otherwise known as Saddleback, Blencathra is more of a small range than a mountain thanks to its six separate fell tops, the highest of which stands at 868m. It’s also home to the aptly-named Sharp Edge, one of the area’s most famous scrambles, which can be treacherous in poor conditions so if you’re going to take it on, now is the time of year to do it.

The iconic and rugged Tryfan perfectly blends walking and mountaineering. Whichever route you choose, you’ll have to use your hands to get to the top, as even the “easiest” route is classified as a grade 1 scramble, making it a true summer destination for those who want more from the mountains. Diehards will also know this one for the irresistible “freedom of Tryfan” challenge of leaping from one of its summit pillars (known as Adam and Eve) to the other – just be careful! 

SHOP WALKING