Welcome to the Worthies: a collective name for the finest hills in Britain and Ireland.
Many hill lists already exist, most defined by statistical classifications based on elevation, prominence, or other measurements. Such catalogues inevitably become peak-bagging objectives. The Worthies is something different. It is not a checklist, although to visit every hill featured here would undoubtedly enrich the soul.
This project seeks to capture the fundamental character of each chosen hill, to convey the essence of each distinctive upland area of Britain and Ireland. The Destinations menu above provides access to features organised by region and topic.
Practical route information can readily be found elsewhere and is therefore only touched upon here. Instead, these pages offer mountain eulogies: reflections on atmosphere, landscape, history, and sense of place.
Hundreds of hills will ultimately find their place within the Worthies, each selected not for its height or status, but for its individual qualities and its ability to express the spirit of its surroundings.
This is a database of the distinguished.