A winter ascent of: scafell pike

Secret passages, sheer walls and the maddest descent of a mountain in literary history: SCA FELL might be England’s Number 2 in height – but in kudos, it might just beat all of them.

Skip Wales’ highest peak and head for the runner-up, CARNEDD LLEWELYN . It’s a mountain with history, with attitude, with views, and with more than a few stories to tell.

Our walks is mon Alex Roddie 1 ...

YOUR MOUNTAIN SNAPS & TALES FROM THE TRAILS

Runners-up rarely get the attention they deserve, but two days on Britain’s second-highest peak BEN MACDUI will show you why this is the king of the Scottish hills.

This corner of the Lake District, with England’s highest peak, is perfect for a nature-fuelled stay