In fact, all ten highest mountains in the UK are located north of Hadrian’s Wall in Scotland.
The UK boasts some gorgeous peaks perfect for enjoying a hiking holiday or even spending a day immersed in nature.
To be classed as a mountain, a portion of land needs to be elevated at least 600m above sea level.
Ben Nevis at dusk, Scotland, UK
Ben Nevis tops the list of the UK’s highest peaks at 1,345m (Image: Getty)
The UK boasts some gorgeous peaks perfect for enjoying a hiking holiday or even spending a day immersed in nature.
To be classed as a mountain, a portion of land needs to be elevated at least 600m above sea level.
The Climbing and Mountaineering Federation requires an “independent peak” to have at least a 30m prominence to define a piece of Earth’s crust as a mountain.
While the UK has several lovely summits peppered across its territory none of the tallest are located in England.
Instead, hikers need to head to Scotland to experience the best of the country’s mountainous opportunities.
Topping the list is Ben Nevis which, with its 1345m and breathtaking views, attracts an average 100,000 visitors annually.
The 33rd tallest mountain in Europe, Ben Nevis has two main walking routes – the Mountain Track, used by most hikers, and the Carn Mor Dearg Arête route for more experienced walkers.
Ranking second at 1309m is Ben Macdui, an 11-mile walk with a 932m ascent that can take up to eight hours to climb.
The peak is the tallest in the Cairngorm Mountains in the eastern Highlands and offers stunning views of the Lairig Ghru Pass and Loch Etchachan.
The third-highest mountain in the UK is Braeriach, also in the Cairngorms and the tallest point in the western mastiff at 1,296m.
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Featuring a gorgeous crescent-shaped plateau at its summit, the most common starting ascent point is past the Sugar Bowl car park and up a rocky ravine before a walk down through Lairig Ghru.
Also in the Cairngorms is the fourth-tallest mountain in the UK, Cairn Toul at 1,291m.
The most shapely of the range, Cairn Toul overlooks the spring of the River Dee and hikers often need to embark on an overnight trip to climb the peak.
Completing the top five is Carn na Criche in the Fannichs in the Scottish Highlands.
Standing 1,265m above sea level, the mountain is located near Kingussie and is classified as a Munro top – Scottish mountains over 914.4m identified by mountaineer Sir Hugh Munro in the 19th century.