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id you know that this country has over 200 mountains? Yep, really. And of all the peaks of England, the majority can be found in the Lake District . These include Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain), which sits there majestically just waiting to be tackled.

Legendary guidebook author Alfred Wainwright described it as “every inch a mountain”, and we tend to agree. Characterised by crags and jaw-dropping views, it’s no walk in the park. In fact, it’s just as much fun climbing it with your hands, too – rock climbers heading to nearby Esk Buttress and Pikes Crag.

Further south, you’ve got the Peak District – stretching across West Yorkshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and down to Derbyshire. It might be regarded as the Lake District’s baby sister, but trust us, the hills here can be just as testing. From the charcoal grey crags of Stanage Edge in the northerly ‘Dark Peak’, to the dramatic limestone face of High Tor in the Derwent Valley, there are climbs and hikes to suit all abilities.

Then of course, there’s mountain biking. Whether you’re a free-rider, downhiller or cross-country pootler, the Peak District has tons of trails to put a smile on your face. If you’re up for a challenge try Edale, in Derbyshire, where rough, rocky trenches, technical climbs and butt-clenchingly scary descents will have you grinning from ear to ear.

Yorkshire Dales , meanwhile have long been a destination for outdoor holidays. How about tackling the “The Three Peaks” (that’s Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent), or going underground to explore the vast limestone cave system. And if that’s not enough to scratch your itch for adventure, there’s always gorge-walking, caving, abseiling, orienteering and canoeing.