I have just decided I do want to climb a mountain, actually.

[sodoffbeforemycupofcoff]

I live in Manchester. I want to climb a mountain.
where can I start? I have never climbed one before and don’t know what is in or around my area?
please can you help? I would like to start small.

Scafell Pike is good round trip climb near you

Not a mountain, but depending on which bit of Manchester, Holcombe Hill is a lovely little hill that would be a great starting point before you tackle a proper mountain.

mam tor from Manchester, it’s a hill rather than a mountain but if you walk from Castleton it’s a nice loop and ridge walk.

otherwise go to the Lake District. Plenty to choose from. Something in the south lakes like Scout Scar?

Manchester is a great place to live if you want to climb a mountain! You’re near loads of them!

She did say she wanted to start small. 😀. Not sure the highest peak in England meets the criteria.

You’ll need decent trail runners or walking shoes / boots. Regatta have a sale on so you could get hiking socks, boots and even walking trousers and a wind proof jacket all of which you can wear at any other time.

Yep get some kit and then join a beginners hill walking group and asses your level of mountain fitness!

What a lovely thing to have in front of you

Scafell Pike is very achievable, as long as you’re of fair fitness. It’s just long, not challenging.

Suggest the Peak District! Start somewhere with easy navigation (well used paths). What about Kinder Scout, or Win Hill.

She only has to go halfway up but it’s fine if you’re fit and healthy and you can do it in a day.
But yes maybe once you’ve completed some shorter hill routes and worn in your footwear.

Skiddaw in the Lake District is an easy climb but with a great view. You could even stay at the wonderful hostel, YHA Skiddaw, and do half the climb the day before. Dont do Helvellyn, not for the first one. Scafell isnt difficult but its a long way up, might out you off for life!
Alternatively, Pen Y Fan in the Beacons is good, and an easy uphill walk, apart from all the gasping!borrow some trekking poles to get your arms in on the effort.

Scafell Pike is my least favourite of all the mountains I’ve climbed, and the hardest of the national three peaks. It’s only a short walk - 5 mile round trip, but it’s steep, rocky, with no flatter bits to catch your breath, and is difficult to navigate in poor weather. It’s absolutely not a beginner mountain. From Manchester I would start with the Peak District. Lots of hills of different difficulties. Mam Tor is a good shout - even parking in Mam Nick car park. Yes, you’re near the summit but can make a nice six mile circuit walking along the ridge, the views are stunning and it’s a decent path with no navigation skills required.

Definitely make sure you've got sturdy foot wear such as walking boots or trainers. Even on a warm dry day it's sensible to take a waterproof/windproof jacket. Although hills/mountains in the uk aren't that high the weather can change quickly and conditions can be worse than much higher peaks on the continent. Also make sure you've got a map as you may not have a mobile signal/GPS. Mountain rescue are lovely but it's better not to have to get them out.

Mam Tor is a good shout for a starter. Park at the visitor centre in Castleton then you have a choice of Hollins Cross or Lose Hill to start. Once your on the ridge it's an easy walk. Back through Winnats Pass and you can reward yourself with cake at the Three Rooves café afterwards.

Always double check the weather before you go and always tell someone you’re going.

Start with Pendle Hill 😅

Did Snowdon last week. Easy from Manchester if you’ve got a car. A55 gets a bit busy at the weekend.

Catbells - Keswick, very straight forward and lots of ages and abilities do it. It may be busy in holidays but most people are very friendly.

Catbells and Helm Crag in the Lake District are my recommendation for short but high (with amazing views!) first time climbs.

I was literally just about to suggest Catbells

Follow soft girl hikes. They do loads of accessible routes and how to get to them by public transport. Peak District is your best bet.

I was also going to suggest Mam Tor as it was the first "proper" hill with a name that I walked up with my Dad as a young child, but there's lots of good walking in the Peaks, North Wales and the Lake District, all within fairly easy reach of Manchester.
I'd start with some relatively easy and well signed walks so that you build both confidence and fitness before you tackle bigger mountains. In the Lakes, somewhere like Dodd is a good starter fell. It's got clear waymarked paths so you can't really go wrong, is small enough to be achievable but quite steep in parts so you do feel like you've done some work, and the views from the top are great.
Don't jump in at the deep end and risk getting into difficulties. Even if something really bad doesn't happen just getting blisters can be miserable so start with relatively simple and walks and build up. Just bear in mind that short doesn't neccessarily mean easy though - a longer route with more gentle gradients is often easier than a shorter, steeper ascent especially if the surface is loose or rocky.
Find a group if possible, or at least a friend to join you, make sure you check the weather forecast for where you going and be aware that it can be considerably colder at higher levels and change suddenly. Make sure you are adequately dressed and equipped - you don't need to buy top of the range but don't go up in flip flops and a bikini either!

+1 for Catsbellends.

Plenty of relatively easy, grassy hills in South Wales. Tumpa/Lord Herefords Knob, Hay Bluff either side of Gospel Pass. Car park between them. Already so high that there's not much up. You could go the Lord Herefords Knob direction and continue to Wayne Fuck on an out and back or go to Hay Bluff and continue onto Offas Dyke for a flattish walk along a very wide ridge. Either direction lacks in crowds and navigation not difficult subject to taking normal precautions.

*Waun Fach

Can you read a OS 1:25,000 map?

While GPS systems or mapping on phones makes life easier (including the OS app) there are a number of things that can go awry and leave you needing to read the map. Plus they're fascinating for reading and understanding the area.

I still like guidebooks for a starting point and context on finding routes if I don't know an area.

From Manchester I'd start with the Peak District as the majority is beginner friendly and tends to have clear routes. Mam Tor is very busy these days. Stannage Edge gives a nice feeling of height. Curbar and Froggat also have the millstone outcrops. I'd avoid the Kinder Scout area until being confident as navigating as the weather can do its own thing and you're potentially relying on subtle natural features and compass work over those moors.

For the Lake District, Catbells have a lovely mountain feel and beautiful views with less height and navigation skill required than most of the mountains. Most of the Lake District (and Snowdonia, also fairly accessible) are more technical.

Any upland area is likely to have more extreme weather than the valley, especially wind. Weather can change quickly so always be prepared for the unexpected. In addition to general weather forecasts, look up the mountain forecasts for more specific details.

What is your current fitness like? Are you used to walking up hills? Terrain, navigation and admiring views will slow walking pace down compared to urban walking.