Discover beginner-friendly peaks in Northern England. Explore easy hikes in the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
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Getting into hiking doesn’t mean jumping straight onto the biggest mountains.
Across Northern England, there are loads of peaks that are perfect for building confidence—shorter routes, clearer paths, and still delivering views that feel like a proper mountain day.
These are the kinds of hikes that get you hooked without feeling overwhelming.
Not every hill is a good place to start.
The best beginner peaks usually have:
Exposure just means how close you are to steep edges. Beginner-friendly routes keep this to a minimum.
Some areas are more accessible than others.
Each one offers a slightly different style of hiking—but all have great starting points.
Height: 451m
Time: 2–3 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Short, well-marked, and one of the best effort-to-reward hikes in the UK.
A steady climb with a few light scrambling sections (using your hands briefly for balance).
Derwentwater below, surrounded by classic Lake District peaks.
Height: 388m
Time: 1.5–2 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy
Short, simple, and still delivers huge views.
A gentle climb with clear paths most of the way.
Ullswater stretching out below—one of the best lake views for the effort.
Height: 238m
Time: 1–2 hours
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy
One of the easiest ways to get a proper elevated view in the Lake District.
Short, well-maintained paths from start to finish.
Views over Windermere and surrounding fells.
Height: 517m
Time: 2–3 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy
Clear paths and a gradual climb make it very accessible.
Well-defined trails with a steady incline.
Rolling Peak District hills and the famous Great Ridge.
Height: 476m
Time: 2–3 hours
Route Type: Circular or ridge
Difficulty: Easy
A gentle introduction to ridge walking without exposure.
Smooth, gradual paths along open ground.
Views across the Hope Valley and along the Great Ridge.
Height: 724m
Time: 3–5 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Moderate
Higher than most beginner peaks but still manageable via well-defined routes.
Steady climb with a slightly tougher final section.
A flat summit with wide, open views across the Dales.
Height: 526m
Time: 2–4 hours
Route Type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Quiet, straightforward, and less pressure than busier peaks.
Gentle ridge walking with grassy terrain.
Wide views across Wensleydale.
Grip matters—even on easier routes.
Conditions can change quickly, even on smaller peaks.
Build confidence before moving onto bigger mountains.
Water, layers, and a simple map or GPS app.
The goal is to enjoy it, not just reach the top.
Starting with the right peaks makes all the difference.
Build confidence on these, and before long, you’ll be looking at bigger mountains without it feeling like a huge step.
Track your hikes, log your summits, and build your Northern England peak list with Peaky Baggers.
Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash
