Updated on January 28, 2023 by Axel Hernborg

Axel Hernborg

When thinking of many of the most interesting natural or geological features of the United Kingdom, people might be more inclined to picture rivers and valleys before mountains come to mind.

This is likely due to the fact that, comparatively speaking, there are more and larger mountains elsewhere in Europe.

However, despite not seeming as geologically interesting as other sites, there are still a surprising amount of incredible mountains across this island of united nations.

If you’re looking to add some exhilarating treks to your itinerary while you’re in the UK, then check out this list of some of the tallest and most well-known mountains that you’ll find there!

Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis

Starting this list with probably one of the most famous mountains on the British Isles, Ben Nevis is also the tallest in the UK!

Ben Nevis is the tallest peak of the Grampians mountains in Scotland, being found on the north side of the range.

The peak of Ben Nevis is around 4,411 feet above sea level (or 1,345 meters), making it far and away the tallest mountain that you can find on the British Isles.

It is home to some of the tallest cliffs in the country too, with the north face of the mountain having cliffs up to 2,300 feet tall (or 700 meters), making it an incredible challenge for rock climbers to overcome.

These factors, combined with a good network of roads and transport systems to and from the mountain, make Ben Nevis an incredibly popular tourist attraction for visitors, with 130,00 visits being made in a single year.

The fact that it is a tall peak, though still relatively short, probably also makes it a tempting hike for literally hundreds of thousands of people.

Snowdon

Snowden

Moving from the tallest peak in Scotland to the highest level of Wales, the Irish Sea-facing country has some of the tallest mountains in the British Isles, outside of Scotland at least.

And among these, Snowdon is considered the tallest, coming in at a modest, though still very impressive 3560 feet above sea level (or 1085 meters). 

This still very tall, but more manageable height is probably what attracts so many visitors to it, with over 590,000 walkers heading to this incredible part of the Welsh countryside per year, making it also one of the most popular natural features in Wales overall!

Ben Macdui

Ben Macdui

Scotland has many more mountains besides Ben Nevis that rank amongst the tallest in the UK. If this were a list of just the tallest, pretty much all of these entries would be Scottish mountains!

However, to give each country a fair chance, we’ll have to finish our Scottish entries with Ben Macdui, the second-tallest peak in the British Isles.

With a peak that stands 4295 feet above sea level (or 1309 meters), this makes Ben Macdui a close runner for second place behind Ben Nevis.

Ben Macdui sits in a completely different range than Ben Nevis, being a part of the Cairngorm mountains, instead of the Grampians.

Playing second fiddle to Ben Nevis also means that you usually find fewer hikers traveling up this mountain, with a smaller 12413 walkers going up Ben Macdui, though still a very satisfying and popular hike, nonetheless.

Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike

The tallest peak in England, Scafell Pike, is quite small when compared to the other mountains that we have covered so far, measuring only 3209 feet tall (or 978 meters) above sea level.

However, that gentle height, along with a pleasant incline that makes it relatively easy to navigate, means that this is also one of the most popular natural sites in England with over 250,000 visitors climbing it each year, in a part of the region that is already famous for its natural beauty.

Slieve Donard Beg Mor

Slieve Donard Beg Mor

At only 2790 feet (or 850 meters) above sea level, Slieve Donard, despite being the largest peak in the country, is probably the smallest peak in the United Kingdom on this list.

However, being located in Northern Ireland, this mountain also has some of the most stunning scenery surrounding it, as it overlooks, not just the green pastures of the surrounding countryside, but also a good chunk of the Irish Sea as well.

Not only that, but the Mourne Wall catchment for the Silent Reservoir that feeds Belfast’s waters runs across much of the mountain as well, lending an additional atmospheric element to the surrounding landscape.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it!

While they might be considered pocket-sized by many other country’s mountain ranges, these mountains that you’ll find across the United Kingdom are some of the most beautiful natural features that you’ll find in this corner of Europe, and are worth seeing for yourself!

Now, which of these mountains will you visit first?

Top 5 Highest Mountains UK!