Mountain Walks: Big Views, Big Adventures

Ready to earn those summit views? These mountain walks take you up into the high places, across rugged ridgelines, up steep slopes, and onto some of the most iconic peaks in the UK and Europe. From the dramatic drama of Snowdonia to the sweeping plateaus of Scotland and the rocky heights of the Lake District, every walk is a chance to challenge yourself and take in the kind of views you just don’t get from a car window. Pack your boots, layer up, and get ready to climb.

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  Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circular Walk from Rifugio Auronzo (Classic 3 Peaks Loop) – UNESCO site, Dolomites, Italy.
  This is the classic Tre Cime di Lavaredo walk, the one most people picture when they think of the Dolomites. By driving (or bussing) up to Rifugio Auronzo, you start high and keep the walk to a very manageable loop while still getting huge views almost the entire way. The route circles the Three Peaks on wide, well-made trails, passes some of the best rifugi in the area, and never really feels remote or technical. It does get very busy, and once you’re there ready to start you’ll see why.
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  Cinque Torri Circular Walk from Bai de Dones via WW1 Open Air Museum (Cortina d’Ampezzo), Dolomites.
  This is a brilliant circular walk that shows off Cinque Torri with it’s big limestone towers, easy-going alpine paths, cracking rifugios, and a real dose of First World War history. Starting from Bai de Dones, you climb steadily up to the towers, loop past Rifugio Cinque Torri and Rifugio Scoiattoli, explore the open-air museum.
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  Japanese Alps Hike: Kamikochi to Karasawa (Karasawa Cirque), Matsumoto – Chubusangaku National Park, Northern Alps, Japan
  Kamikochi → Karasawa is the kind of hike that feels like it belongs on a “best of Japan” list. The first part is a gentle valley wander (rivers, bridges, forest, that clean alpine air), then it gradually gets more serious as you push towards Yokoo and up into Karasawa Cirque. You don’t need ropes or anything technical for the standard trail, but you do need decent legs, it’s a long day if you’re not staying overnight.
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  Gospel Pass, Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob), Capel-y-ffin & Offa’s Dyke to Hay Bluff Circular Walk – Black Mountains, Bannau Brycheiniog
  This 10-mile circular from Gospel Pass strings together some of the best bits of the Black Mountains in one hit. You start high on Wales’ highest road pass, climb up to Twmpa (Lord Hereford’s Knob), then drop into a wild, glaciated-feeling valley where the Nant Bwch stream runs away below you. From there you wander right down to the tiny Church of St Mary the Virgin in Capel-y-ffin, before a steep zig-zag haul puts you back on the tops at Black Mountain South Top.
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  Corvara → Col Alt lift, Piz d’Arlara, Ütia de Bioch & Pralongià Plateau Circular – Dolomites
  This is an easy-to-love plateau day from Corvara: walk up (or take the lift) to Col Alt, wander the rolling meadows across Ütia Bioch and the Pralongià area, then loop back via Piz d’Arlara to town. Big views the whole way, loads of hut options, and simple navigation. You can make it short and relaxing or you can stretch it out if the legs are feeling good.
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  Corvara to Pisciadù Waterfall via Tru dles Cascades, Passo Gardena & Rifugio Jimmy to Colfosco Loop – Dolomites
  Starting right in Corvara, this loop stitches together a bit of everything: the waterfall walk on Tru dles Cascades (Path 28), a steady climb to Passo Gardena on Path 650, a short pop up to Rifugio Jimmy on Path 8, then a scenic cruise down through Colfosco back to town. It’s a full, satisfying day out with constant views of the Sella towers and Sassongher, plus easy food/water stops if you want them.
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  Pralongià Plateau Panorama Loop from Corvara, viewpoints of the Sella, Marmolada and Sassongher – Dolomites, Italy
  Pralongià is the easy win in Alta Badia: you ride up from Corvara, land on a rolling meadow plateau, and spend the day linking viewpoints and huts with the Sella, Marmolada and Sassongher in constant view. The paths are wide and well signed, you can keep things short or stretch it out, and there’s always a rifugio not far away for a coffee or a bowl of soup.
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  Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) Panorama Loop, Europe’s biggest high Meadow from Ortisei – Dolomites, Italy
  This is a laid-back day out on Europe’s biggest high meadow. The cable car from Ortisei take you to the Alpe di Siusi plateau, where wide paths and rolling grassland make for easy going. You’ll loop past viewpoints and huts for lunch and coffee, with views of the Sassolungo/Sassopiatto group most of the way. You can keep it short and sweet, or wander further if the legs are happy.
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  Alpe Resciesa Hike & Holy Cross Chapel Loop from Ortisei. Resciesa Funicular Ride, Rifugio Malga Brogles & Ridge Walk – Dolomites, Italy
  This walk is a crowd-pleaser without being over the top. From Ortisei, the Resciesa funicular takes you straight to the ridge so you can spend your energy on the walks: experiencing the rolling meadows, sweeping views, and you’ll get to visit to a couple of classic alpine spots. The highlights are Rifugio Malga Brogles, tucked under the Odle peaks, and the Holy Cross Chapel which sits out on the edge of the pasture overlooking the valley below.
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  Seceda Ridgeline Hike using Cable Car up from Ortisei, then return walk back via Popular Huts – Dolomites, Italy
  From the town of Ortisei (1,245m), you’ll take the Ortisei–Furnes gondola, then transfer onto the Furnes–Seceda cable car which whisks you up to 2,500m in minutes. At the top it’s just a short stroll to the famous Seceda viewpoint — the sharp ridgeline of the Odle–Geisler peaks is one of the Dolomites’ most iconic sights.
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  Mount Fuji Yoshida Trail – Climbing Japan’s Highest Peak at (3,776m) from Yamanashi, the North Side.
  The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route up Mount Fuji, starting from the 5th Station at around 2,300m and climbing to the summit at 3,776m. It’s busy, especially during the official climbing season (July–early September), but the infrastructure of huts, signposts, and safety patrols make it the most accessible way to reach the top. The reward: standing above the clouds to watch the sunrise from Japan’s highest point.
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  Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (Temples 1–6, Tokushima): Starting at Ryozen-ji passing shrines, farm lanes and quiet suburban streets to reach Anraku-ji, Shikoku, Japan.
  This featured day walk covers Temples 1–6 of the Shikoku pilgrimage, starting at Ryozen-ji and passing village shrines, farm lanes and quiet suburban streets to reach Anraku-ji. It’s a perfect first taste of the henro way, as you have easy gradients, good signage, and lots of small experiences like bell rings, incense, and the first temple stamps in your nōkyōchō. You can keep going further (Temples 7–10), or return to Tokushima for the night.
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  Nakasendō Trail (Kiso Valley), Magome to Tsumago – One of Edo-period Japan’s great highways with mountain passes between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).
  The Nakasendō was one of Edo-period Japan’s great highways, threading mountain passes between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Its Kiso Valley section — especially Magome → Tsumago — is the most beloved day walk: 8–9 km of cobbles, forest lanes, tea houses and rice terraces, with an optional continuation to Nagiso for a longer day. It’s living history underfoot, and one of Japan’s most photogenic rambles.
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  Kōyasan Choishi-michi Trail from Kudoyama (Jison-in) to Kōyasan – Sacred Pilgrimage via Mount Kōya, Japan
  The Choishi-michi is the classic pilgrim approach to Kōyasan. Beginning at Jison-in in Kudoyama, it follows stone waymarkers (the choishi) as it climbs into cedar forests and along old mountain lanes to the bright vermilion Daimon Gate on Kōyasan’s ridge. At roughly 21 km, it’s a full day on the feet — but the rhythm of shrines, statues, and tea-stop hamlets turns the climb into a meditative journey.
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  Kohechi Route, Kii Mountains from Kōyasan to Hongu, crossing 1,000m-class passes and dropping into remote river valleys – Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, Japan
  The Kohechi cuts straight through the heart of the Kii Mountains from Kōyasan to Hongu, crossing multiple 1,000m-class passes and dropping into remote river valleys. It’s shorter than Nakahechi (roughly 65–70 km) but typically feels tougher: steep ascents, equally steep descents, and long, quiet stretches between tiny settlements. This is the pilgrimage route for hikers who like solitude, big climbs, and the reward of onsen towns at day’s end. Recommended for experienced walkers.
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  Hiking the Nakahechi Trail, Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Route Guide – The Kii Peninsula (Wakayama), Japan.
  The Nakahechi is the most popular section of the Kumano Kodo, one of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage networks in the world (the other being the Camino de Santiago in Spain). This sacred trail winds through the misty mountains of the Kii Peninsula, taking pilgrims from Tanabe inland through quiet cedar forests, tiny mountain hamlets, and ancient stone paths to the Grand Shrines of Kumano.
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  Waun Fach Circular – 16 km Ridge Walk from Mynydd Du Car Park, via Chwarel y Fan, Rhos Dirion and Pen y Manllwyn.
  This classic high ridge walk (approx. 16 km / 10 miles) explores the eastern escarpment of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Starting from Blaen-y-Cwm, it climbs steeply to the airy summit of Chwarel y Fan, the eastern most 2000-footer in Wales, and follows the remote Cambrian Way over Rhos Dirion, Pen y Manllwyn and the eroded dome of Waun Fach, the highest peak in the Black Mountains.
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  Ben Nevis Walk (Tourist Route) from Glen Nevis Vistor Centre – 15km ascent of the UK’s Highest Peak, near Fort William in the Lochaber Region
  The Ben Nevis walk from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre is the classic route up the UK’s tallest mountain. Following the Mountain Track (also known as the Tourist Path), this 15km circular takes you from sea level at Glen Nevis to the summit at 1,345 metres. The path is well-maintained, but it’s still a serious mountain day with steep sections, exposure, and changeable weather.
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  Ben Macdui Circular Walk – 29km Cairngorms Hike to Scotland’s Second Highest Peak. Remote, Wild and incredibly Scenic, this route rewards Strong Hikers.
  The Ben Macdui Circular is one of the most epic high-level hikes in the Cairngorms. At 29km, it’s a full mountain day that takes you across vast plateaus, past alpine lochans, and up to the summit of Ben Macdui, the second highest mountain in the UK. Remote, wild and incredibly scenic, this route rewards strong hikers with an unforgettable experience in one of Scotland’s true mountain heartlands.
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  Pen y Fan & Corn Du Circular Walk – 8km Brecon Beacons Hike from Pont ar Daf National Trust Car Park. Highest Points in South Wales.
  The Pen y Fan Circular is one of the most popular hikes in the Brecon Beacons. This 8km loop from Pont ar Daf offers wide-open views, a steady climb to the highest point in South Wales, and a memorable ridge walk that’s great for all levels of walkers.
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  Old Man of Coniston Circular Walk – 11km Coniston Lake Hike passing Brown Pike, Buck Pike & Dow Crag
  The Old Man of Coniston is one of the most popular hikes in the Lake District — and for good reason. This route gives you big views, mountain tarns, and a real summit feel without being too technical. It’s a proper day out in the fells, ideal for walkers looking to step up from the lower-level routes.
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  Tryfan South to North Route, Ogwen Valley, Eryri (Snowdonia) – Part of the Glyderay Group. Famous for the Adam & Eve Stones.
  Tryfan is one of the most iconic peaks in Wales, and is in the Eryri(Snowdonia) National Park. Tryfan is a jagged, rocky mountain that offers a proper hands-on scramble from the very start. This is a route for experienced walkers with a good head for heights. If you’re after a challenge beyond your typical hillwalk, Tryfan delivers – big views, boulder-hopping, and the legendary Adam and Eve stones on the summit.
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  Scafell Pike Walk, Lake District – England’s Highest Mountain at 978m, Offering a Strenuous but Rewarding Hike
  At 978m (3,209ft), Scafell Pike is the highest point in England and a bucket-list mountain for walkers across the UK. Most people tackle it from Wasdale, a direct but demanding route with a steady, rocky climb that leads to unforgettable summit views, on a clear day! This isn’t just a walk; it’s a serious mountain hike with some rough terrain, but it’s well worth the effort.
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  Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Walk – Up the Pyg Track, Down the Miners’ Track: A 7.5 Mile Circular Walk from Pen-y-Pass, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, North Wales.
  Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) is the highest mountain in Wales, standing proud at 1,085 metres (3,560 feet). This classic circular walk from Pen-y-Pass takes you up the rugged and scenic Pyg Track before descending via the gentler Miners’ Track. It’s a fantastic way to tackle the mountain, combining dramatic landscapes, epic views, and a real sense of adventure, all within a manageable 7.5-mile loop. A great option for fit walkers wanting a big mountain day without tackling technical ridges.
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  Helvellyn via Striding Edge Walk – 8 Mile Circular Walk from Glenridding in the Lake District, Cumbria, North England.
  Helvellyn is the third highest peak in England and has become a favourite for walkers thanks to the stunning views and its legendary ridges — Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. This 9 mile circular walk starts from Glenridding and follows a classic route up via Striding Edge to the summit of Helvellyn, before looping back down via Swirral Edge and past Red Tarn.
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  Llanthony Priory circular up to Hatterall ridge via Black Mountain South Top, along Offa’s Dyke path on the Wales, England border.
  LLanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian Priory, in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep-sided once-glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire. Above the priory sits ‘Hatterall Hill & Ridge’ on the border of England & Wales, which this route takes you on, before making your way down close to Black Mountain South Top, and returning to the priory, for a great welcome at the cafe/bar.
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  Hay Bluff & Lord Herefords Knob (Twmpa) Circular Walk, near Hay on Wye on the Welsh, English border.
  Llyn y Fan Fach, Picws Du, and Llyn y Fan Fawr Circular Walk in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park is a stunning walk through some of South Wales’ most dramatic landscapes. This 9-mile route takes you past glacial lakes and along rugged ridgelines, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable connection to the natural beauty of the region.
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  Llyn y Fan Fach, Fan Brycheiniog and Llyn y Fan Fawr Circular Walk, where folklore connects to the legend of ‘The Lady of the Lake’.
  Llyn y Fan Fach, Picws Du, and Llyn y Fan Fawr Circular Walk in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park is a stunning walk through some of South Wales’ most dramatic landscapes. This 9-mile route takes you past glacial lakes and along rugged ridgelines, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable connection to the natural beauty of the region.
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  Hike to Fantapytten from Høllesliheia – Lysefjord’s Infinity Pool. Return hike along several mountain cliffs and gorges with panoramic view-points.
  Hiking to Fantapytten, Lysefjord’s ‘Infinity Pool’, is a tough task, and should not be tried if you have mobility issues, or you’re not used to hiking. BUT, if you can do it, it will take your breath away, it’s a brand new trail, and you’ll spend approximately 75% of your time close along the fjord.
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  Hike to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), Norway’s Most Famous Trek – 604m above the Lysefjord.
  Hiking to Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), the flat top tower that gives you a viewing platofrm 604 metres above the Lysefjord. This is one of the most popular mountain hikes in Norway, with over 300,000 hikers visiting the rock every year.
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  Hike to Kjerag in the Lysefjord, to see Kjeragbolten the world-famous boulder! Are you brave enough to step onto the boulder? It was too high for us.
  Hiking to Kjerag, the highest peak in the Lysefjord at 1,084 metres above sea level and home to the world-famous Kjeragbolten, otherwise knows as the boulder. A boulder which was wedged into a crevasse 1,000 metres above sea level.
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  Watkin Path – Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Circular Walk in Eryri National Park via South Ridge, Snowdonia.
  The Watkin Path is one of six routes up to the summit of Yr Wyddfa, and in my opinion it is the toughest, the steep slopes near the top particulary from the Rhyd Ddu Path are challenging, and not to be underestimated. The first part however is an easy gradual climb through the tree’s and then as you enter the clear, you will see the peak and also the Rhaeadrau Waterfalls which you will pass, and maybe as we did, have a little swim in!
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  Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) Circular Trail from Lago d’Antorno, Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  Region: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy Places To Stay: To hike the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, you can stay in Dobbiaco, San Candido or slightly further away you… Read more: Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks) Circular Trail from Lago d’Antorno, Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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  Blaen-Y-Glyn Waterfalls Circular Walk, Wellington Bomber Memorial & Fan-Y-Big Diving Board – Bannau Brycheiniog.
  The Brecon Beacons Blan-y-Glyn Waterfalls has many circular walks you can follow, and this is right up there with one of the best, and is also I’d say in the difficult range, especially if you are doing this in winter. This loop takes in a large number of waterfalls at the start and at the end, a World War 2 Canadian Wellington Bomber memorial, the diving board at Fan-Y-Big then glacial ridge walks most of the way around, it’s a challenging walk, but so rewarding and beautiful.
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  Blorenge Circular Walk from Llanfoist Crossing Car Park via the Punchbowl, Fox Hunters & Keepers Pond – Abergavenny.
  The Blorenge is one of three mountains that surround the town of Abergavenny, the other two which you can see from the top are the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid. These are a part of the Black Mountains at the foot of the Brecon Beacons and at the bottom of the Blorenge is the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, which you will walk under as you start this walk.
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  Lago Di Sorapis (Lake Sorapis) Trail Number 215 Circular Hike, at the foot of Dito di Dio (“Finger of God”). Ampezzo, Dolomites.
  Region: Cortina d’Ampezzo — Ampezzo Valley, Dolomites, Italy Places To Stay: Stay central in Cortina d’Ampezzo for buses, shops and easy starts. If you prefer something quieter Corvara, Canazei and… Read more: Lago Di Sorapis (Lake Sorapis) Trail Number 215 Circular Hike, at the foot of Dito di Dio (“Finger of God”). Ampezzo, Dolomites.
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  Hiking the Croda da Lago Circuit Trail – Route 434 + Lago Federa & Forcella Sonforcia. Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites.
  Croda da Lago, is a very distinctive small mountain chain in the Dolomites, its jagged peaks offer a great hiking adventure, and you’ll have to go a long way to beat the beauty of Lago Federa. Being close to Cortina where we stayed, this trail is very popular all summer long.
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  Talgarth Walking Festival – The Three Pens of Crickhowell Circular: Pen Gloch-y-pibwr, Pen Allt-mawr & Pen Cerrig-calch
  The 2023 Talgarth Walking Festival, the 9th event, took place between Friday April 28th and Monday May 1st. This year they had 26 walks which covers all tastes and abilities, and we choose one on the Sunday which was called ‘The Three Pens of Crickhowell’. The three Pens being ‘Pen Gloch-y-pibwr’ (675m), ‘Pen Allt-mawr’ (720m) & ‘Pen Cerrig-calch’ (711m).
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  Horseshoe Ridge Walk Circular – Brecon Beacons – Fan-Y-Big, Cribyn, Pen-Y-Fan & Corn-Du from Neuadd Car Park.
  The best place to start for the Horseshoe Ridge Walk is in my opinion the Neuadd Car Par, it has the same postcode as the others, but if you’re using Google Maps to drive there, then use Neuadd Car Park Brecon Beacons
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  Dragons Back & Waun Fach Circular from Pengenffordd, Black Mountains in the Bannau Brycheiniog. Second highest peak in Southern Britain at 811m.
  The Dragons Back as you can imagine is named because you have a collection of up and down mounds that resemble the back of a sleeping dragon, as you walk up to the ‘Waun Fach’ (Small Moor) peak. This peak is the highest mountain in the ‘Black Mountains’ and the second highest peak in Southern Britain at 811m, after Pen Y Fan, which isn’t too far away.
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  Sugar Loaf Circular, Abergavenny – Classic, Easier, Shorter Route
  This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
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  Day 2 – Hiking from Interlaken to Grindelwald via Schynige Platte & Berglauenen, to see The North Face of the Eiger!
  The day before, we looked up at the mountain (Schynige Platte) we were heading to and all seemed fine, no snow, no rain, and it was pretty clear, which wasn’t the case the next morning. We woke up to pretty much a monsoon whilst we were getting ready, and then we discovered that 6 inches of snow had fallen over night at the top of the mountain.
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  Day 3 – Big hike from Grindelwald up to Kleine Scheidegg (7000ft), next to The North Face of the Eiger, then Walk & Train down to Lauterbrunnen.
  The walk ahead means you are walking literally in the shadow of The North Face of the Eiger, and you can peel off at one point and do the Eiger Trail which takes you up higher, but we didn’t have time as the plan was to walk down the other side to Lauterbrunnen.
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  Day 4 – Lauterbrunnen Walk back to Interlaken, via Stechelberg & Piz Gloria – James Bond Lair On her Majestys Secret Service.
  Waking up in Lauterbrunnen on the final walking day, we decided that we didn’t want to walk straight back to Interlaken, as it’s only a 3.5-hour flat walk back, so we decided to do some sightseeing, and it was easily the right decision, as you will see below. I have only included in the downloads the hike back to Interlaken from Lauterbrunnen, and not included the sightseeing as it is optional, and in any case, you will be returning from Piz Gloria on the Schilthorn back through Lauterbrunnen, and then following the route back to Interlaken.
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  Crickhowell to Sugar Loaf 10 Mile Circular Walk, via Llangenny & Mynydd Pen y Fal – Abergavenny, Black Mountains.
  It’s amazing how many of our walks have started in Crickhowell, and they are all different, and this is another special one as on the way you pass by some of the most beautiful Welsh cottages I have ever seen, and the lush green fields and woods as you head to the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, makes this really special.