Hand-picked by the experts at Trail magazine, the Trail 100 is a collection of the 100 UK peaks all hikers, hillwalkers, and backpackers must climb at least once in their lifetime.
The Trail 100 isn’t just about climbing the UK's highest mountains (although many of them are), it’s about climbing a curated list of the finest summits our islands have to offer – and having the time of your life while doing it.
The challenge could take months, years, or even decades to complete, and by the time you finish it you’ll have ticked off every major name on your mountain bucket list.
Download a FREE tick-list of the Trail 100 peaks HERE
How is it different from other mountain tick lists?
Unlike other mountain-bagging lists, the Trail 100 isn’t restricted by location, height, or guidebook. Instead, it’s a definitive collection of the 100 hills and mountains peaks we believe every hillwalker and hiker should climb in their lifetime. Put simply, we believe these are the very best 100 peaks in the UK.
Who chose the Trail 100 mountains?
The Trail 100 list has been hand-picked by the experts at Trail magazine. With over 30 years of experience walking and climbing in the UK’s greatest hills and mountains, the Trail team has carefully collated a selection of peaks of all shapes and sizes that are all ‘must-do’ summits.
Where are the Trail 100 peaks located?
All over the UK! The Trail 100 will take you from the mighty summits of Scotland to the limestone peaks of the Yorkshire Dales and the gritstone edges of the Peak District.
You’ll cross razor-sharp Welsh ridges, lose yourself in Lakeland valleys, explore the weird tors of Dartmoor, discover the dazzling green beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and head across the Irish Sea to the Mourne Mountains. Plus much, much more.
How hard is the Trail 100 challenge?
The beauty of the Trail 100 list is that it’s a real mixed bag of peaks. There are easy-going hands-in-pocket strolls, gnarly mountain ascents (including at least one you'll want ropes for!), and everything in between.
There’s no obligation to climb them all, of course. If you like, you can just use the list as inspiration, picking and choosing whichever mountains most appeal.
How long does the Trail 100 challenge take?
This is the real beauty of the Trail 100, because the amount of time you take to complete the challenge is totally down to you.
One of the handful of people we know to have hit every summit on the list is Trail magazine's long-serving photographer Tom Bailey. And considering the fact Tom spends every other week in the mountains for work, it still took him the best part of two decades to complete.
The best way to look at the Trail 100 is as a bucket list rather than a challenge. Even if it takes most of your life to tag every mountain summit on the list, what a life you'll have lived!
What peaks are on the Trail 100?
1. A’ Mhaighdean, Fisherfield Forest, 967m
One of the UK’s remotest peaks, part of a fearsome northern wilderness
2. An Teallach, Torridon, 1060m
Brutally built and terrifyingly sheer; probably the UK's scariest walker’s peak.
3. Aran Fawddwy, Eryri (Snowdonia), 905m
Overlooked – a secret mountain of great height and quality.
4. Arenig Fach, Eryri (Snowdonia), 689m
Dull from afar, this hill rewards the intrepid with perfect Llyn Arenig Fach.
5. Askival, Isle of Rum, 812m
The most satisfying peak on the utterly extraordinary island of Rum.
6. Beinn Alligin, Torridon, 986m
Charismatic, satisfying, two Munros, one great ridge, and home to Britain’s hardest-won views.
7. Beinn an Oir, Isle of Jura, 785m
One of Jura’s ’Paps’ – three unique mountains on this sequestered isle.
8. Beinn Dearg Mòr, Fisherfield Forest, 906m
Remote and dramatic neighbour to An Teallach. Compact but spectacular
9. Beinn Eighe, Torridon, 1010m
Immense… a circle of Munro summits enclosing an ancient corrie.
10. Ben Alder, Central Highlands, 1148m
Fiercely remote and hard-won, but impressive and satisfying with it.
11. Ben Cruachan, West Highlands, 1126m
A massive presence, once thought to be Scotland’s highest peak.
12. Ben Hope, Sutherland, 927m
Most northerly Munro, magical and isolated on the northern coast.
13. Ben Lawers, Central Highlands, 1214m
Bag a Munro from the 500m car park or as part of a glorious multi-peak traverse.
14. Ben Lomond, South Highlands, 974m
Most southerly Munro, many people’s first. Scenically stupendous.
15. Ben Lui, Central Highlands, 1130m
Tall, elegant gatekeeper to the Highlands, defined by amazing north-east corrie.
16. Ben Macdui, Cairngorms, 1309m
Brooding and sprawling, Britain’s second-highest peak is a wilderness of a mountain.
17. Ben More, South Highlands, 1174m
Sadistically steep, perfectly triangular; it dominates the skyline.
18. Ben More, Isle of Mull, 966m
High point of Mull, a Munro that is often left until last due to its location.
19. Ben Nevis, West Highlands, 1345m
Britain’s highest peak; a stunning, complex labyrinth of routes for all.
20. Bidean nam Bian, West Highlands, 1150m
A fortress of a mountain, closeted and grand – the highest in Glen Coe.
21. Bla Bheinn, Isle of Skye, 928m
Skye’s most impressive single mountain, and a stunning objective.
22. Black Combe, Lake District, 600m
Outlier of Lakeland; the perfect bridge between land and sea.
23. Blencathra, Lake District, 868m
Imposing classic, home to superb spurs Sharp Edge and Hall’s Fell Ridge.
24. Bow Fell, Lake District, 902m
Muscular and feature-packed; ranks among England’s very best.
25. Braeriach, Cairngorms, 1296m
A remote Cairngorm colossus; with a wild, vast, and dramatic plateau.
26. Buachaille Etive Mor, West Highlands, 1022m
Sentinel of Glen Coe; star of a million postcards. Demanding as a climb.
27. Cadair Idris, Eryri (Snowdonia), 893m
Complex and striking, Snowdon’s southern miniature is thick with legend.
28. Carnedd Daffyd, Eryri (Snowdonia), 1044m
Round and comely from the south; a massive cliff to the north.
29. Carnedd Llewellyn, Eryri (Snowdonia), 1064m
Bulky and knurled, a fitting contrast to Snowdon. Near-polar in winter.
30. Cat Bells, Lake District, 451m
At only 451m tall, it’s every bit a mountain in character, with huge views.
31. Cnicht, Eryri (Snowdonia), 689m
The Welsh Matterhorn! Fantastically pointy objective above the village Croesor; hugely enjoyable.
32. Crib Goch, Eryri (Snowdonia), 923m
Notorious knife-edge Grade 1 scramble to Snowdon. A rite of passage.
33. Cross Fell, North Pennines, 893m
Weather-battered Pennine giant; England’s highest peak outside Lakes.
34. Elidir Fawr, Eryri (Snowdonia), 924m
A bold, defiant mountain despite industrial flanks and interior.
35. Fairfield, Lake District, 873m
Grand centrepiece of its namesake horseshoe. Perfect for first-timers.
36. Fan Brycheiniog, Brecon Beacons, 802m
The Black Mountain. Stunning; a cliff to east, sculpted valleys to north.
37. Foinaven, Sutherland, 911m
Bulky, northern ridge walk with incredible views and precipitous screes.
38. Garbh Bheinn, West Highlands, 885m
Unexploited and breathlessly rugged… a gem of a rough diamond.
39. Glaramara, Lake District, 783m
Seemingly gentle hill with wonderful, scrambly ground on top.
40. Glyder Fach, Eryri (Snowdonia), 994m
Lesser in height but grander in stature than Fawr. The Bristly Ridge scramble is a hoot.
41. Goatfell, Isle of Arran, 874m
Sharp centrepiece to Arran’s underrated and dramatic highlands.
42. Grasmoor, Lake District, 852m
Bulky Buttermere giant; overlooked and secluded, its top is magisterial.
43. Great Gable, Lake District, 899m
A labyrinth of crags, gullies, and cliffs; drips with history and atmosphere.
44. Grisedale Pike, Lake District, 791m
Sharp, far-flung, and a magical viewpoint, the best summit of the Coledale Round.
45. Haystacks, Lake District, 597m
Achingly pretty setting; Alfred Wainwright’s most beloved hill.
46. Helm Crag, Lake District, 405m
Dumpling of a hill with a ratty, terrifying summit block. A test of nerves.
47. Helvellyn, Lake District, 950m
Striking 3000ft plateau bitten by walkable arêtes of exceptional quality.
48. High Stile, Lake District, 806m
Shapely peak and a marvellous, chiselled traverse off the beaten track.
49. High Street, Lake District, 828m
Plateau with a superb eastern ascent. Few Lakeland hills feel this huge.
50. Ill Bell, Lake District, 757m
Craggy top on the wonderful rollercoaster that is the Kentmere Horseshoe.
51. Ingleborough, Yorkshire Dales, 724m
Icon of Yorkshire; full of caves, limestone pavement, and proud summit.
52. Kinder Scout, Peak District, 636m
Scene of the famous Mass Trespass; in winter a bleak, white wildland.
53. Ladhar Bheinn, Knoydart, 1020m
Isolated and complex king of the Knoydart wilderness. One of the best.
54. Liathach, Torridon, 1055m
Dominates Torridon like an open bear trap. An awesome expedition.
55. Lochnagar, Cairngorms, 1155m
Scotland’s eastern giant; half sub-Arctic plateau, half vertical cliff.
56. Maesglaese, Eryri (Snowdonia), 674m
Green, delightfully different Middle Earth-ish peak with waterfall.
57. Merrick, Southern Uplands, 843m
The highest point in Galloway's fascinating zone of incredibly rough uplands.
58. Moel Hebog, Eryri (Snowdonia), 782m
Jumbled, volcanic hill that is terrifically sheer from the east.
59. Moel Siabod, Eryri (Snowdonia), 872m
Gateway to Snowdonia. Fun ridge and cracking views of Snowdon.
60. Mynydd Drws-y-Coed, Eryri (Snowdonia), 695m
Best bit of the Nantlle Ridge; thrillingly airy, with satisfying scrambling.
61. Pen y Fan, Brecon Beacons, 886m
Ever popular; a majestic, uniquely sculpted southern giant.
62. Pen yr Ole Wen, Eryri (Snowdonia), 978m
The impressive western front of the Carneddau, with an exciting east ridge.
63. Pike of Stickle, Lake District, 709m
Ancient and distinctive highlight of the Langdale Pikes. Utterly unique.
64. Pillar, Lake District, 892m
Magnificently set, and packed with interest including historic Pillar Rock.
65. Place Fell, Lake District, 657m
Often overlooked; rocky and magnificent viewpoint above Ullswater.
66. Pumlumon, Central Wales, 752m
Rugged, multi-topped and (currently) unspoiled mid-Wales oddball.
67. Quinag, Sutherland, 808m
A flail of contours from above, underfoot a stunning set of walker’s ridges.
68. Rhinog Fawr, Eryri (Snowdonia), 720m
Rugged, crumbling hill in the phenomenal Rhinogs range. Essential.
69. Roseberry Topping, North York Moors, 320m
Tooth of a hill rising above North Yorkshire; grandest thing for miles.
70. Sca Fell, Lake District, 964m
Brooding and grand, sees a fraction of the traffic of its noisy neighbour.
71. Scafell Pike, Lake District, 978m
England’s highest point; complex, indefinable, essential and satisfying.
72. Schiehallion, Central Highlands, 1083m
Scientifically important for its symmetry; a wonderful mountain besides.
73. Sgurr a’ Mhaim, West Highlands, 1099m
Quartzite-topped spur on the Mamores’ thrilling Ring of Steall horseshoe.
74. Sgurr Alasdair, Isle of Skye, 992m
Highest mountain on Skye; a scrambly ridge takes you into the heart of the Cuillin.
75. Sgurr Dearg (Inaccessible Pinnacle), Isle of Skye, 986m
The ’In Pinn’ is a V Diff climb and the only Munro that needs ropes. A hell of an ambition.
76. Sgurr Fhuaran, West Highlands, 1067m
Central of Kintail’s Five Sisters. West ridge a stunningly sustained ascent.
77. Sgurr na Ciche, Knoydart, 1040m
Fantastically remote, rough, tough cone on the edge of Knoydart.
78. Sgurr nan Gillean, Isle of Skye, 964m
Cuillin end-stop is horned and scary-looking; easiest way up is a Grade 2 scramble.
79. Skiddaw, Lake District, 931m
Massive and bare; dominates the northern Lakes. Strikingly good views.
80. Slieve Donard, Mourne Mountains, 850m
Highest point in Northern Ireland, and a fine figurehead for the Mournes.
81. Slioch, North Highlands, 981m
Stands like a castle keep over Loch Maree. Impressive in every way.
82. Snowdon, Eryri (Snowdonia), 1085m
Stupendous; extreme and worthy despite compromised its summit.
83. St Sunday Crag, Lake District, 841m
Engaging outlier of Fairfield, home to necky (and optional) Pinnacle Ridge.
84. Stac Pollaidh, Assynt, 612m
Ragged little peak; great scrambling and views that belie its accessibility.
85. Sugar Loaf, Brecon Beacons, 596m
Charismatic nipple with terrific views; gatekeeper to south Wales.
86. Suilven, Assynt, 731m
Fantastically weird, utterly unique and set in a special part of Scotland.
87. The Calf, Howgills, 676m
Focal point of underrated Howgill Fells. Northern end wonderfully remote.
88. The Cheviot, Northumberland, 815m
Terminus of the Pennine Way is very wild; splendid for lovers of moors.
89. The Cobbler, Arrochar Alps, 884m
Collapsed, tortured jumble of a peak with a thrilling summit scramble.
90. The Devil’s Point, Cairngorms, 1004m
At the junction of two epic glens; the most striking viewpoint in the Cairngorms.
91. The Old Man of Coniston, Lake District, 803m
Southern fells classic; industry-scarred, but rugged and unbowed.
92. The Saddle, West Highlands, 1010m
Mighty and sharp, climbing this Glen Shiel hulk via Forcan Ridge is a must.
93. Tryfan, Eryri (Snowdonia), 917m
Striking, freestanding thorn of fun; perhaps Wales’s finest single peak
94. Wetherlam, Lake District, 762m
Charismatic hill with great views and greenery to the north and east.
95. Y Garn, Eryri (Snowdonia), 947m
Chewed and craggy down into Cwm Idwal; it’s a worthy Glyderau 3000-er.
96. Y Lliwedd, Eryri (Snowdonia), 898m
Intimidating mirror to Crib Goch; most dramatic way off Snowdon.
97. Yes Tor, Dartmoor, 619m
Impressively high Dartmoor summit; nearby High Willhays the true top.
98. Yewbarrow, Lake District, 628m
Striking and challenging prow above Wast Water; distinctive and grand.
99. Yr Aran, Eryri (Snowdonia), 747m
Pointy outlier of Snowdon, with stunning 360° views from the top.
100. Yr Eifl, Eryri (Snowdonia), 564m
Walk from sea to rocky summit for ‘wow’ views of the entire Llyn Peninsula.
Trail 100: facts and figures
Combined height: The combined height of all 100 peaks is 88,339m – almost 10 times the height of Everest!
Country breakdown: Scotland (42), England (32), Wales (25), Northern Ireland (1)
Highest peak: No prizes for guessing Ben Nevis is the highest peak on the Trail 100 list at 1345mm.
Lowest peak: The ‘Yorkshire Matterhorn’ of Roseberry Topping is the lowest summit at just 320m.
Furthest north: This honour goes to the magnificent Corbett of Foinaven in Sutherland.
Furthest south: There are mountains worth climbing in Devon too you know, as proven by the rocky crown of Yes Tor in Dartmoor National Park.
Most remote: This is probably a toss-up between the Scottish peaks of A’Mhaighdean in the Fisherfield Forest and Sgurr na Ciche in Knoydart.
Hardest summit: Sgurr Dearg on Skye is topped by the Inaccessible Pinnacle, which requires a rock climb to reach the summit, then an abseil to descend from it.
National Parks visited: Cairngorms, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, Northumberland, Lake District, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor
How do I keep track of the peaks I've climbed?
You can download a free PDF tick-list of the Trail 100 list HERE. This breaks down each peak by region, so print it out, stick it on your wall, tick off every peak you've already climbed, and start planning trips to the ones you haven't!
And finally, if you want even more inspiration, advice, and some general mountain chat, join the Trail 100 Facebook group HERE.
