While all the hills and mountains of the United Kingdom are special in their own way, some fare better in winters than others. Some catch the snow long before others have seen their first frost. Some hold onto their icy white blankets when others have returned to their naked forms. And some are simply transformed into breathtakingly beautiful versions of themselves, seeming to grow in stature once winter is upon them, and those ones are the best.
But climbing them in the colder months takes more than a route suggestion. You also need to be armed with the right clothing and equipment, and the skills to keep yourself safe.
Read through 10 of our favourite winter routes, then enter our amazing competition to win a Rab Argon insulated jacket worth over £200!
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1. Ben Lomond, South Highlands
It may be the most southerly Munro and one of Scotland’s most popular hills, but Ben Lomond is no walkover. At 974m high it’s a big hill, and it’s not unusual to see its summit caked in white when the shores around Loch Lomond below are still displaying the colours of autumn.
The usual route up the Sron Aonaich ridge is a relatively straightforward winter undertaking, but if you fancy something a little more intriguing that’s still safely shy of mountaineering territory, the Ptarmigan Ridge approach is thoroughly recommended.
2. Fairfield Horseshoe, Lake District
This circuit has lots going for it as a winter route. For starters, the route is clearly defined, making it easier to navigate when the paths are buried. The broad summit area requires care in poor visibility – the northern crags are steep, and cornices are possible – but its two southern spurs, one for up and one for down, are high enough to feel airy but broad enough to feel comfortable.
And, perhaps best of all, the route starts and ends in Ambleside where there are more pubs and cafés than you can shake an ice axe at.
3. Pen y Fan Horseshoe, Brecon Beacons
The rippling ridgeline of this Welsh classic is one of those landscapes that’s elevated exponentially by the snow and ice of winter. The horseshoe walk starts and ends in the forest by the Pentwyn and Pontsticill reservoirs, before climbing out onto the ridge leading to Corn Du, and then onwards over Pen y Fan and Cribyn.
In theory, it cuts back before hitting the summit of Fan y Big, but it’d be a crime not to bag it with an out-and-back. After all, it’s the snow-covered summits you’ll remember long after you’re back in the trees.
4. Ben Macdui, Cairngorms
The plateau of the Cairngorm mountains is the closest thing the UK has to an Arctic tundra. Little surprise that it’s the place where winter lingers longest, with some Cairngorm snow patches lasting all year round. Ben Macdui is the King of the Cairngorms, the range’s highest peak.
Its broad summit towers over the famous Lairig Ghru mountain pass, and winter is its finest season. Be warned though – it’s a remote and wild place requiring careful navigation, and it’s said to be home to Am Fear Liath Mor – the mythical Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui.
Helvellyn Edges, Lake District
Many hillwalkers have made their first foray into ridge walking on Helvellyn’s Striding Edge. And having successfully traversed it and climbed to the summit plateau, Swirral Edge is the usual route of descent.
Both ridges are transformed in winter, becoming more serious propositions that would not feel out of place among the Alps of Europe. Breaking with convention, we’d recommend new winter walkers ascend Swirral and descend Striding, tackling the trickier terrain in ascent and enjoying the enticing ridge views on the way down.
6. CMD Arête, Ben Nevis
Britain’s highest peak can be treacherous in winter, so check the weather and avalanche forecasts. But given the right conditions the CMD Arête route up the Ben – the best route for walkers – is 100% achievable for the moderately experienced winter hiker.
The arête is wonderfully airy but just wide enough to keep any nerves at bay. In fact, a blanket of snow can even make it feel easier. The views of Ben Nevis’s snowdraped north face are epic, and if you get a clear winter view from the top it’ll be like nothing you’ve ever seen before.
7. Great Gable, Lake District
In a national park full of ‘favourite’ fells, Great Gable is the connoisseur’s choice. Its position at the hub of the Ennerdale, Wasdale and Borrowdale valleys offers multiple ways up the mountain, enabling the winter walker to reach Gable’s summit as part of an epic fell bagging expedition or as a quicker stand-alone ascent.
In winter it’s the latter that makes the most sense, particularly when you consider the shorter days, the epic winter views from the top, and that the quickest route from Wasdale ends at the legendary Wasdale Head Inn.
8. Moel Siabod, Eryri/Snowdonia
The gatekeeper of north Snowdonia and the guardian of Capel Curig, Moel Siabod is one of those mountains that remains achievable when other peaks are rendered out of bounds by winter. That’s not to say it’s easy. It’s a big beast, and an ascent via the scrambly Daer Ddu Ridge can feel positively Alpine under snow.
But even if you take the more pedestrian approach up its northeastern spur, you won’t be disappointed; Moel Siabod’s summit provides one of the best places to enjoy spectacular views of a winter dressed Snowdon.
9. Crib Goch, Eyri/Snowdonia
Other ridges may be longer and higher, but few are as relentlessly razor-like as Crib Goch. Even in summer this 1.5km arête, which climbs over Garnedd Ugain before heading for Yr Wyddfa’s (Snowdon’s) summit, is a significant undertaking.
In winter, it’s full-on mountaineering. But if you have an ice axe, crampons, the skills to use them, a good amount of winter mountain experience, a head for heights, nerves of steel, and a knack for catching the weather at its best, it’s one of the most awe-inspiring winter days you’ll ever have in the Welsh mountains.
10. Aonach Eaglach, Glen Coe
When a mountain sounds like a Klingon battle cry, you know it’s ferocious. Let’s be clear: the Aonach Eagach is no place for beginners. But so spectacular is this ridge, whose most challenging section stretches for over 3km above Glen Coe, that you may find yourself drawn to attempting it long before your experience has equipped you with the ability.
Not to worry – hire a Winter Mountaineering Instructor and let them, their expertise, and their ropes and harnesses guide you safely along mainland Britain’s most thrilling ridge traverse.
Win a Rab Argon Jacket!
We’ve teamed up with Trekitt to give away one men’s and one women’s Rab Argon jacket worth over £200. To entry, simply complete the form below. The competition opens on 16 February 23 at 6am and closes on the 16th March at 23:59pm.
Terms and conditions
The prize draw opens on the 16th Feb 23 at 6am and closes at 23:59 on 16th March 2023.
This competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over.
There are 2 prizes consisting of 1x Men’s Rab Argon jacket (rrp£230) and 1x Women’s Rab Argon jacket (rrp£230).
Two winners will be picked randomly from all valid entries. The winners will be contacted shortly after the closing date and notified by email and have 7 days to respond before an alternative winner is chosen.
Only one entry per person will be counted.
This prize may be offered in a limited number of other promotions.
No purchase is necessary. To enter for free visit www.livefortheoutdoors.co.uk/trekittcomp
Full terms and conditions can be found at www.bauerlegal.co.uk/competition-terms.html
The prize is provided by Trekitt. We are not responsible for any aspect of the prize, including unsatisfactory quality or late delivery or a prize winner being unable to take up any aspect, or the entirety of the prize due to their own circumstances or restrictions. Prizes are non-transferable, non-refundable and no cash alternative will be offered.
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