Welsh hikes rank among UK’s toughest new study reveals

Nation.Cymru staff

New research has revealed the world’s most gruelling – and most achievable – bucket list hikes with several in Wales.

The new data from PureGym has revealed the UK’s most and least physically demanding bucket list hikes, as part of a wider global study which used a mixture of environmental and climate data to ascertain just how gruelling each one is.

Hiking has seen a real surge in interest in recent years. On TikTok, there are 8.6 million videos about the pastime, while searches for terms like “best scenic hikes near me” are up 300% globally in the last 12 months. And with the weather in the Northern Hemisphere warming up, hiking season is well and truly upon us.

But with increased exposure, comes increased risk. Statistics from Mountain Rescue England and Wales showed a 24% increase in the number of rescues across England and Wales between 2019 and 2024, with experts attributing much of it to certain hikes going viral on social media, as well as the widespread use of mobile navigation apps which don’t always work in more remote areas.

With this in mind, PureGym analysed over 130 bucket list hikes all around the globe, assessing them on the following factors to decipher difficulty levels:

Distance (km)
Elevation gain (m)
Gradient (%)
Maximum altitude (m)
Scrambling (yes/no)
Average temperature (°C)
Wind speed (mph)
Humidity (%)
Precipitation (mm)

Each factor was given a weighted score, combined into a final score out of 100 – where the higher the score, the harder the hike.

The UK’s 10 hardest trails are spread across Scotland, Wales and England, with exposed scrambling, inclement weather and sustained elevation gain the common thread running through them all.

Topping the list is the Cuillin Ridge Traverse, scoring 55 out of 100. Located on the Isle of Skye, it is widely considered the most difficult trail in Britain. Jagged peaks and Munros require serious skill, and it can take between 12 to 30 hours to complete depending on weather conditions and technical experience. Those who attempt it will be treated to impressive views of what is an ancient volcano, which was active about 60 million years ago. This explains why it enters the global ranking of the toughest hikes, too, where it is considered to be the world’s fifth most demanding hike.

Two more Scottish hikes complete the top three. The Ring of Steall (also ranking in the top 10 most difficult hikes globally in position 9), is a notoriously strenuous hike which requires serious skill and takes 9-12 hours to complete. Joining it is Ben Nevis, which scored 50.2 out of 100 and whose names literally translates to venomous or malicious mountain.

Crib Goch and Tryfan North Ridge in Eryri National Park also make the top 10.

Not all hikes have to be gruelling, however. For those without technical experience who want to experience the UK’s most spectacular views, there are several bucket list hikes which still require some effort but are far more achievable for beginners.

At the top of this list is the Lake District’s Buttermere Circular, a flat seven-kilometre loop around one of England’s most photogenic lakes, scoring 18.5 out of a possible 100. The trail also offers views of Haystacks, the favourite fell of legendary guidebook author Alfred Wainwright.

Phil Carpenter from PureGym said: “Exploring the great outdoors is one of the best, free ways to get more movement into our daily lives, and the rise in interest in hiking is certainly one to be celebrated. It’s incredibly important, however, to be mindful of our own abilities and to plan carefully when heading off on a hike.

“Adequate preparation – in the form of physical training, research of conditions on the day, appropriate gear, and a reliable route finder – is essential. Never overestimate your abilities and always be prepared to turn back if something doesn’t feel right.”

Phil’s Top Tips for Training for a Hike

Build your aerobic base over a period of at least six weeks. Start with 1-2 shorter hikes a week (30-60 minutes) and build up to longer hikes (2-4 hours) with varying terrain

Include at least one high intensity cardio interval workout weekly, such as hill sprints or fast incline walking, and at least one longer, lower-intensity effort workout: a 60- to 90-minute treadmill walk on low incline, the stair master, or cross-trainer, in addition to your hikes

Do two full body strength sessions a week focused on building single leg strength and stability and upper body endurance with exercises like Bulgarian split squats, trap bar deadlifts, walking lunges, pull ups

Do two short core sessions a week to build core stability, covering dead bugs, farmers carries, Russian twists, and Pallof presses

Once a week, get outside with the boots, socks and pack you’ll be using on the trip and practice walking both up and down hills

On the trail itself

Wear your boots in at home before the trip – only wearing them on day one is a guarantee for blisters

Layer up: moisture-wicking base, insulating mid layer, waterproof top layer

Hydrate steadily, sipping every 15–20 minutes; aim for around 500ml per hour of moderate effort

Eat little and often – slow-release carbs with occasional faster fuel like energy gels or trail mix

Take breaks every 45-60 minutes to drop the pack, drink, eat and check the map

Start at a pace you could hold a conversation through – pacing is the single biggest predictor of finishing strong

For more information, as well as the full global results, please visit: https://www.puregym.com/blog/hiking-difficulty-index/

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