Everyone shares their favourite hike, or their best-kept secret. We're doing something different, here are our second favourite UK hillwalks.

Everyone runs a "best hikes" list. Everyone else runs a "secret hikes" list, then immediately un-secrets them for clicks. So we thought we would do something different: our second favourites. The ones that are genuinely brilliant-ish, but don't expose our actual number ones. Before you head out, make sure you've got the right kit packed and you know how to stay safe on the hill.

Old Man of Coniston, Lake District

Contributed by Eric in Ambleside.

Starting from the car park at the top of the Walna Scar track above Coniston village, the walk builds through classic Lakeland scenery before reaching the old slate workings, atmospheric enough that Eric reckons they could pass for Moria out of Lord of the Rings. From there it's on to Low Water, a lovely mountain tarn, then a steep pull up to the summit for 360 degree views across the fells.

Tip: retrace your steps back down, or make it a circular route via Goat's Water for a different view on the way back to the car.

High Tor and Giddy Edge, Matlock Bath

Contributed by Kenny.

Matlock Bath doesn't look much like the rest of the Peak District, a Victorian spa village dropped into a limestone gorge with great chips. This hike is right in my back yard. The path from Matlock Bath brings you out onto Giddy Edge, a narrow ledge cut into the cliff face with a sheer drop to the Derwent Gorge below. If you dare look up you will see the whole valley, the river and the Heights of Abraham cable cars laid out opposite.

Tip: Giddy Edge lives up to its name if you don't like heights. There's a fence along most of it, but the drop is real. Time it for a clear day, the view down the gorge is worth it.

Win Hill, Hope Valley

While everyone else is making a beeline towards Mam Tor or Kinder Scout, sneak off to Win Hill instead. On our Hathersage store's doorstep, Win Hill is the one that gets missed. Same valley, similar views, the summit trig looks straight down Ladybower Reservoir and across to Kinder itself and the Great Ridge, a fraction of the people.

Tip: start from Yorkshire Bridge or Hope rather than the busier Ladybower dam route. It's a shorter, steeper pull and you'll have the summit closer to yourself.

Moel Siabod, Snowdonia (Eryri)

Contributed by the Betws Team.

Moel Siabod sits right on the doorstep of our Betws-y-Coed store, its pyramid shape from the valley making it one of the most recognisable summits in Snowdonia. The standard route in from Pont Cyfyng is a proper walk, but the final approach along the Daear Ddu ridge turns scrambly, with drops on both sides if you take it.

Tip: go up via Daear Ddu for the exposure, then come down the easier path. You get the ridge without doing the awkward bit twice.

 

Holyhead Mountain and South Stack, Anglesey

Contributed by the Salty Dogs.

Anglesey's coastline is the main event, but Holyhead Mountain is the one proper summit on the island, and the circuit from South Stack combines both. The path climbs past Caer y Twr, an Iron Age hillfort ringing the summit, with the South Stack lighthouse perched on its own islet in the sea below and, in early summer, thousands of nesting guillemots and razorbills packed onto the cliffs.

Tip: go between April and July for the seabirds. The RSPB visitor centre at South Stack has telescopes trained on the cliffs, and it's worth the stop before or after the walk.

Fancy adding yours?

If you've got one that deserves a spot, send us the hill, what makes it great, one tip for doing it yourself, and a photo. We'll keep adding them as they come in.

Tag us on Instagram or Facebook with your own second favourite, we might just add it to the list.