Six Great British Ridge Walks for Beginners
September 30, 2024Rising nobly from their surroundings, hilltop or mountain ridges are imposing features of any landscape. The airy feel of a classic ridge walk is an exhilarating and unique experience, and this selection makes an ideal introduction to ridge walking – avoiding any technical scrambling while retaining a real sense of drama.
1. The Malvern Ridge, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire
The succession of crests and peaks that form the Malvern Hills are linked by an unmistakable ridge-top path. Rising proudly above the Severn Plain on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire border, this ancient range of hills boasts native woodland, wild commons, rolling pastures, and a rich archaeological history that is still evident today. Though they are hills rather than mountains, walking them still takes you high above England, offering views out west over the Herefordshire hills and across the Welsh border to the Brecon Beacons.
Getting there: Starting at the car park opposite the Malvern Hills Hotel, follow signs for British Camp to reach this Iron Age hill fort. Retrace your steps to the car park, cross the road and take a path behind the hotel to climb up and continue on the ridge to Wyche Cutting. You’ll walk over five hills before reaching the trig pillar at Worcestershire Beacon. Continue along to North Hill before looping round to Table Hill and Sugar Loaf Hill, descending gradually to return to the start along minor roads and paths.
2. Horseshoe Ridge, Brecon Beacons, Wales
You would be forgiven for thinking that the best ridge walks in Wales are all in Snowdonia. But this classic ridge walk in the Brecon Beacons disproves that view. The ascent to reach the Craig Fan Ddu ridge is challenging, but is rewarded with mile after mile of stunning views from the top. You’ll also have the satisfaction of summiting four different peaks – Cribyn, Pen y Fan, Corn Du, and Fan-y-Big.
Getting there: Start from the Forestry Commission car park near the Lower Neuadd Reservoir and walk up to the old pump house. Follow the left edge of the reservoir, through a gate to climb steeply up to the Craig Fan Ddu ridge. Turn right and follow the ridge to Corn Du, dropping down into the saddle and up to Pen y Fan. Descend steeply to Craig Cwm Sere, before climbing up to Cribyn. Turn right to follow the ridge along the back of Cribyn to cross a track before climbing Fan-y-Big. Follow the Craig Cwm Oergwm ridge towards the reservoir and back to the start point.
3. Trotternish Ridge, Skye, Scotland
The 30km Trotternish Ridge in Skye is a snaking chain of summits that is guaranteed to take your breath away. The best way to do it justice is to pack camping gear and spend a night up on the ridge so you can walk the whole thing. But even if time on Skye is short, you can still reach some of the ridge’s most dramatic stretches easily from the road and enjoy a day walk. The most famous section is perhaps the summit of Storr, which sits high above a landslip that includes the iconic rock pinnacle dubbed the Old Man of Storr. But wherever you are on the ridge, a clear day guarantees outstanding views and some of the finest walking in the UK.
Getting there: Start from the roadside parking area in Flodigarry and follow the path up past two lochs. Turn right onto a path heading north to reach the ridge. Take a short detour to the right to summit Sron Vourlinn, then retrace your steps, continuing on to the Quiraing. You’ll then undulate along the ridge, sometimes dropping as low as the road. The final major summit is Ben Dearg. From here, cross A Chorra-beinn and Pein A Chleibh before reaching the road, which you follow into Portree.
4. High Street, Lake District
This broad and mostly flat ridge offers epic views without the technical scrambling and nerve-wracking exposure of other famous Lakeland ridges. The path along the crest of High Street follows an ancient Roman road, built before roads were routed through the valleys rather than over the high fells. The summit of High Street itself is the highest peak in the far eastern part of the Lake District National Park, so you can expect panoramic vistas of the surrounding fells, valleys, and lakes.
Getting there: Walking from Haweswater to Weather Hill via the Nan Bield Pass will mean you traverse almost the entire length of High Street ridge. Climb from the head of Mardale Valley to pass the pretty tarn of Small Water, aiming for the col. Continue up Mardale Ill Bell, where you’ll pick up the ridge. Continue along to High Street and follow the ridge around to High Raise, Red Crag, and Weather Hill, where you’ll descend down to Haweswater reservoir. Follow the lakeside path back to the start point.
5. The Great Ridge, Derbyshire
Separating the Hope and Edale valleys, the Great Ridge is one of Britain’s most famous ridges. Walking along its spine justifies both its fame and popularity, as it offers spectacular views down the valleys on either side. The best way to experience its beauty is by walking the ridge as part of a longer loop that takes in both sides of the Vale of Edale, in the heart of the Peak District.
Getting there: Starting from Nether Booth, walk into Edale, passing the Old Nags Head pub (the traditional starting point of the Pennine Way), the church, and the Ramblers Inn. Cross Yeman's Bridge over the River Noe and climb past Hardenclough Farm to reach the summit of Mam Tor. Once on the Great Ridge itself, walk gradually downhill towards Hollin’s Cross and then on towards the striking summit of Back Tor. Climb the saddle between Back Tor and Lose Hill. Descend from Lose Hill to Townhead Bridge and follow the road back towards Hope. Leave the road and cross the river again via Killhill Bridge. Climb out of the valley to Win Hill, enjoying the views before following the wide ridge of Thornhill Brink and Hope Brink to Wooler Knoll. Descend to Edale End and follow the road back to the start.
6. Crook Peak Ridge, Somerset
Glimpsed from afar, Crook Peak is seen as a conical silhouette protruding from the Somerset countryside. Up close, it takes shape as a craggy limestone outcrop that forms part of the distinctive ridge marking the western edge of the Mendip Hills. From its summit, it is easy to appreciate this area’s rugged beauty and the ancient strategic significance of this high ground, with the River Axe snaking away to the west and the flat expanse of the Somerset Levels stretching out to the southeast.
Getting there: Start from King’s Wood and pick up the West Mendip Way. Walk through woodland and climb up on to Cross Plain. Take the rough track up to the trig pillar, which marks the summit of Wavering Down. Follow the narrow ridge to Barton Hill before dropping sharply and curving round to the southwest, with the village of Compton Bishop nestled in the valley below. Climb uphill again towards Crook Peak, soaking up the expansive views before retracing your steps to return to the start.
[credit] All images courtesy of Adobe Stock except for 4 and 6, via Alamy.