I had been wanting to go to Madeira for a while so when I saw the Madeira Ultra X multi-stage...
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Trail running in Madeira: the Madeira Ultra X multi-stage 110km
By Annette McQueen
/ December 15, 2024
The best UK parks for snowy winter walks
By Mountains not molehills
/ December 8, 2024
If you live in one of these snow-prone areas, or you plan on spending Christmas nearby, what better way to...
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Trail running in the stunning Chamonix-Mont-Blanc mountains
By Annette McQueen
/ November 9, 2024
After my Lakeland DNF (did not finish), I was mentally drained and felt like training and running had become a...
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Gear Review: Osprey Kestral 68 rucksack
By Mike Richardson
/ November 6, 2024
I purchased the Osprey Kestral 68 rucksack following a decision to do more multi-day hikes rather than just single days....
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Hiking for a healthier mind
Hiking for a healthier mind can mean different things for different people. Mountains not molehills aims to highlight the enormous positive effect that the outdoors can have on our mental health. You can expect regular posts from our own walking/hiking trips, as well as guest articles, reviews, routes and more.
Hiking for a healthier mind is our philosophy, but we understand that mountain hiking isn’t for everyone. So we also cover walks along canals, woodland areas, country parks and much more.
Some of the benefits hiking can have on mental health include:
- Reduced stress: Hiking can help reduce stress and anxiety.
- Improved mood: Hiking can elevate your mood and increase feelings of positivity and energy.
- Reduced negative thoughts: Hiking can help reduce negative thought patterns and the tendency to ruminate.
- Improved problem-solving: Hiking can improve creative problem-solving abilities.
- Improved sleep: Hiking can help you sleep more soundly at night.
- Reduced symptoms of ADHD: Hiking can reduce symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Improved cognitive ability: Exercise can promote good cognitive ability.
- Improved concentration: Hiking can improve your ability to concentrate at work and function in day-to-day life.
- Sense of fulfillment: Hiking can contribute to a sense of fulfillment, adventure, and joy.
Discover beautiful hiking across the UK
The UK has some absolutely stunning hiking trails, and every year thousands of people experience everything they have to offer. Are you an avid box ticker collecting all of the Wainwright walks in the beautiful Lake District? Perhaps you are looking to climb all of the Munro’s in Scotland.
Scotland boasts the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis (4,409ft), which unsurprisingly is also part of the National Three Peaks challenge.
The Lake District in England is renowned for its hills, fells and mountains. Scafell Pike is part of the National Three Peaks challenge and Helvellyn is famous for Striding Edge.
Snowdonia in Wales is home to some truly breathtaking walks, including Mount Snowdon, which makes up the National Three Peaks challenge.
Want to challenge yourself?
Various charities use hiking challenges to raise much needed funds, with hundreds of people taking part every year. Whether it is the National Three Peaks challenge or something a little less intense, you can find it here.
Mental Health support
Hiking for a healthier mind is an important aspect to Mountains not molehills, but we also try to provide details of a number of mental health support networks. There are a number of organisations which are here to help anyone who is struggling with their own mental health.
Featured Video
Our latest featured video was sent in by Ben Brearley and shows Ben and a group of friends mountain biking down Ullock Pike down the side of Skiddaw mountain in the Lake District. September 2024.