9 famous hills in England and the best trails to explore them

From the Lake District’s towering peaks to the limestone hills of the Pennines, England is known for its picturesque ranges of hills. Although England is generally lower and flatter than the rest of the United Kingdom, its rolling hills are ideal for a leisurely stroll to admire the view. If you’re an avid hiker looking to conquer mountainous terrain, northern England offers plenty of challenging trails that overlook stunning vistas.

Here are the nine most famous hills in England and the best trails to explore them so you can feel on top of the world.

Located in the central Lake District, Loughrigg Fell means “small rocky hill of the lake.” True to its name, Loughrigg Fell is surrounded by open water, though it is easily accessible with roads on all sides. We recommend starting your walk from Ambleside and hiking along Loughrigg Terrace, a level path that offers great views of Grasmere and Helm Crag. You’ll also spot Rydal Caves, an abandoned water-filled quarry where The Witcher was filmed.

This relatively short walk can be completed in two to three hours and should be comfortable for any beginner, although you’ll need to pay more attention during steeper sections. It can also get very windy at the summit, so be sure to pack a windbreaker.

The Cheviot Hills, also known as The Cheviots, are a range of uplands that straddle the Anglo-Scottish border. The English section is protected within Northumberland National Park and includes the highest hill, the Cheviot. To ascend the 2,674-foot summit, embark on the Cheviot Hills Circular Walk, where you’ll spot the remains of a crashed B-17 bomber along the 9-mile route. For a more beginner-friendly walk, take the hillfort trail to the top of Humbleton Hill, famously featured in Shakespeare’s Henry IV.

Tip: The terrain here can get rather wet and boggy, particularly during rainy seasons. It’s best to come in the summertime.

Scafell Pike is the highest and most prominent mountain in England, rising 3,209 feet above sea level. Each year, more than 250,000 people climb Scafell Pike, including competitors of the National Three Peaks Challenge. While Scafell Pike’s rocky summits and twisting paths can be strenuous even for experienced hikers, you’ll be rewarded with stellar views—on a clear day, you can spot Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man in the distance.

While there are multiple treks up Scafell Pike, the Wasdale Head route is the most popular, allowing you to reach the summit within three hours. If you have more time, we recommend taking the Corridor Route, where you’ll discover hidden gems like England’s deepest lake, Wastwater. As Scafell Pike requires some navigation skills, it’s best to join a guided tour.

Situated in the Peak District, Chrome Hill is a limestone reef knoll, where coral reefs were formed around 340 million years ago. Rising up to 1,394 feet, Chrome Hill has been featured in the BBC series Peaky Blinders and is a designated site of special scientific interest due to the wide range of fossils and rare plants found here.

Dragon’s Back ridge, which resembles the jutting plates along a stegosaurus’ spine, curves between Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill, an adjacent reef knoll. This 3-hour route is particularly popular among photographers, who flock here during the summer solstice to catch a double sunset. Proper walking shoes are recommended, as limestone can get slippery when wet.

The Northern Fells are a mountain range in the Lake District, and Skiddaw is one of its most stunning fells, featuring rounded slopes blanketed in bracken and grass. Skiddaw is renowned for its unrestricted views and its ease of ascent, despite being England’s sixth-highest summit.

The most popular way to climb Skiddaw is via the well-trodden Jenkin Hill Path, an old Victorian pony path up the mountain. You’ll need about six to seven hours, so ensure you dress comfortably and pack adequate food and water.

Ingleborough is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and is the second-highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales. Apart from its brilliant scenery, Ingleborough is a treasure trove for history buffs, wildlife lovers, and adrenaline enthusiasts. Home to several hillforts dating from the Iron Age, Ingleborough also has numerous caves, caverns, and potholes to explore.

There are several popular walking trails to Ingleborough’s summit. We recommend beginning from the village of Ingleton and following the walled Fell Lane before ascending the limestone outcrops towards the peak. This 6-mile walk will take you about three hours, and features different views as you head back to town.

One of the most popular fells in the Lake District, Cat Bells (or Catbells) is known as a “family fell,” suitable for even children and old folk to climb. Its spectacular views inspired children’s author Beatrix Potter to name Cat Bells the home of one of her characters, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle.

Due to its popularity, the hill faces constant erosion problems, so it’s recommended to stick to the main paths. Simply follow the signposted trail starting from Hawes End, and you’ll reach the summit within three hours. From there, gaze at the gentle valleys sloping down from neighboring fells. Join this tour from Manchester to climb Cat Bells with two experienced mountain leaders.

Mam Tor (Mother Hill) is also known as Shivering Mountain due to its “mini hills,” a result of frequent landslides. Situated within the Peak District, Mam Tor was named one of the Seven Wonders of the Peak by philosopher Thomas Hobbes. Its summit is encircled by a late Bronze Age and early Iron Age hillfort, dating from around 1200.

The Mam Tor Circular Walk begins at the Mam Nick car park, where you’ll see a path leading towards a small gate bearing a National Trust sign. From the summit, admire the panoramic view of Kinder Scout and Stanage Edge, named one of National Trust chairman Sir Simon Jenkins’ favorite views. This 1.5-hour route is paved with stone steps, so even the most inexperienced hiker will have an easy time. On your way back down, drop by Treak Cliff Cavern, home to the rare Blue John stone.

Helvellyn is the third-highest point in England, made up of volcanic rocks from an ancient volcano. Its distinctive ridges, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, were carved by glaciers during the Ice Age, and you can still see three deep glacial coves from the top. Helvellyn was particularly popular with explorers in the late 18th century, including the Lake poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth.

While the shortest route from Thirlmere takes about three hours, the most popular walk is along Striding Edge. This 8.5-mile loop trail starts at Glenridding and is a challenging walk even for advanced hikers. For safety reasons, novice hikers should avoid Striding Edge in winter; instead, take the long but safe and easy walk from Patterdale.

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