Top mountain hiking in the UK

Mountain hiking in the UK is an excellent opportunity to get out into nature and discover the many spectacular mountains and hills our island nation has to offer hikers. With so many adventure trails and paths to take advantage of, ranging from the high peaks of mountains like Ben Nevis and Snowdon to the shorter climbs on the map in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, we really are spoiled for choice.

But when it comes to making the most of your hiking experience, you’re only as good as the gear you wear. Wrong jacket? You’ll be damp and cold. Wrong boots? Look forward to blisters and rubbed ankles.

In this short guide we’ll help you to choose hiking shoes and outdoor clothes that will make every type of hiking experience memorable. From hiking socks to waterproof hiking shoes and winter gloves, we have everything you need!

We all know the British weather is highly changeable and that alone can make knowing which kind of jackets, t-shirts and base layers to wear difficult. We don’t need to tell you that layering up is the way to go, especially in winter, so start with a base layer featuring our Omni-Wick™ technology to wick away the sweat.

Throw a t-shirt or a polo over that for an additional layer to trap warmth for those colder and windier ascents. Next, you can add a thin jumper, hoodie or fleece if you know it’s going to be a cold ascent.

Finish the look with either a windbreaker to keep the chill out or a high-quality hiking jacket to provide the ultimate level of protection from the elements whatever hiking route you’re taking. Our hiking clothes for women and men are available in a range of classic colours so you can always head out in style.

Whether it’s a looped route across the hills of a gorgeous National Park or a hybrid city/nature walk in the Dublin Mountains, the easiest part of your outdoor kit to get right is a hiking jacket that can be taken off quickly and folded away when not in use.

Short trips during warmer months will be much more comfortable with a pair of tough hiking shorts rather than trousers, which are often a default for just about any type of outdoor adventure. Shorts, whether in hiking material or just casual, are ideal for keeping you cool on warmer days and look great paired with hiking sandals for men or hiking sandals for women when you aren’t going to need all-terrain shoes.

A decent pair of walking trousers are a must-have item for any hiking you plan to do in the UK, from a simple hill to a more challenging peak. You can wear them all year round and they will keep you from overheating whatever distance you’re planning to travel to get the views you crave. From the comfort of the car park to the highest point of a wild and windy mountainside, wherever you trek and explore they’ll serve you well for years.

Whether you need low and light hiking shoes for popular road and village walks or want to head out in long hiking boots to tackle some of the best trails in the country, our complete range of men's hiking shoes will ensure every step is a joy.

We stock a range of hiking boot size to fit every adventurous foot, including smaller women's hiking boots, wide shoes for men, mid and low hiking shoes, as well as kids waterproof shoes and specialist winter shoes too.

Hiking soles to match the terrain you’re going to experience are key, but you don’t have to worry about a thing when you choose a Columbia shoe or boot thanks to our cleverly designed OMNI-GRIP™ technology.

Our selection of leather hiking boots provide superior protection against the rain. Waterproof shoes for men will see you right whether you’re climbing Irish slieves like Croagh Patrick in County Mayo for stunning views, munro-bagging in Scotland, or enjoying a hiking tour of the natural and beautiful Welsh valleys.

Ready for the climb? From the longest routes along rock-strewn paths to guided visits in some of the UK’s most breath-taking scenic locations, follow the above hiking tips to get the most out of every adventure.