10 of the best mountains to climb in a day

In search of some of the best mountains to climb in a day? Well, in this article we’ve highlighted some of the best summits for day hiking.

Whether you’re a climbing beginner, on a tight schedule or just fancy being back in time for dinner after your hike, here are some of the world’s best mountains to climb in a day.

You’ll find Aran Fawddwy in Snowdonia National Park standing at 905 metres, and it takes around 4–5 hours to climb. Here, you’ll find some of Wales’ most impressive scenery. Climbing on a sunny day will give you a view of the park’s huge cliffs and valleys. On a cloudy day, expect misty landscapes that give the atmosphere an ethereal quality.

If you’re in search of one of the best mountains to climb in a day for scenery, Mount Fuji is sure to be impressive. Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest mountain (3,776 metres), an active volcano and yet, somehow, it’s still possible to climb it in a day. You can only climb this mountain from July to September, so call ahead to make sure there’s space for you at one of the rest huts. Most climbers use these huts to rest halfway to the peak and then set off at night in order to reach the summit as the sun rises.

During the summer months, the Tatra Mountains in Poland are covered in hiking trails. The 2,302-metre-high Świnica is especially popular since it takes experienced climbers around three hours to reach the summit. As the main peak on the Polish-Slovakian border, Świnica has multiple approaches from both sides. Many travellers decide to take the cable car to the halfway point (a smaller mountain named Kasprowy Wierch) and ascend from there.

Cerro de la Silla is one of Mexico’s most awe-inspiring natural monuments, yet it’s based in the metropolitan area of Nuevo León. This four-peaked mountain has become a symbol of the city of Monterrey, despite actually being technically located near Guadalupe. And despite the relatively short climb time of four hours, it’s also one of the most technically difficult mountains to climb out of the list.

If you’re looking to climb a mountain to challenge yourself, Mount Wilson is sure to tick your boxes. This one is slightly more of an endurance test than some of the others but it is still possible to climb Mount Wilson in a day. While the climbing never gets especially technical, it is arduous, whichever route you choose. Most climbers start with the Kilpacker Trailhead via Navajo Lake. This trail introduces climbers to the area’s dense alpine forests, featuring low, shady valleys and soaring, near-vertical, alpine cliffs. From here it’s a day’s round-trip up either Mt. Wilson or Wilson’s Peak (two different summits).

At 1,014 metres high, Kékes is hardly a giant but, as the highest mountain in Hungary, it is still worth a climb. This is one of those rare mountains that can be enjoyed in most weather conditions. On a clear day it’s possible to see the peaks of the Bukk mountain range and even when it’s cold and foggy on the ground, the Kekes summit is relatively sunny and warm.

Norway is home to Breiskrednosi, a technical mountain that’s around 1,200 metres. Whilst this isn’t the tallest mountain, the conditions of this trek can often make the climb challenging. The mountain is often caked with snow meaning that the inclines can become slippery. Also, to get to the start of the mountain in Nærøyfjord, you’ll have to travel by boat.

Half Dome is one of Yosemite National Park’s most iconic mountains to climb and lucky for you, it can be done in a day if you’ve prepared beforehand. Stretching nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor, you may want to consider waking early to reach the summit. The final stretch climb includes iron cables, which means you’ll be able to reach the top, even if you’re a novice.

Table Mountain in Cape Town is 1,086 metres tall and offers outstanding views. Take in the sites of the city, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. To get to the summit, there’s a variety of routes you can take, and these include Skeleton Gorge, which offers a moderate climb. Other routes include the Kasteelspoort route along the Twelve Apostles cliffs. If you don’t fancy traversing back down the mountain, no worries as the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is available, making it the best mountain to climb for beginners and experienced climbers alike.

Arthur’s Seat in Scotland stretches for 251 metres above sea level and if you’re looking to climb a mountain that’s got outstanding views, this will suit you perfectly. While there’s a variety of routes up Arthur's Seat, be assured that regardless of which route you take, the views along the way will be nothing short of stunning. The walk will take around two hours, which is perfect if you want some extra time to explore more of Edinburgh.