Top Trigs – What’s Your Favourite Trig Point in the UK?

Chosen by OS Champion Andrea Day who says “High Wheeldon is often an overlooked Trig, as so many walk across the nearby famous Staffordshire “Dragon’s Back” of Parkhouse Hill and Chrome Hill.  The hill was gifted to the National Trust in 1946 as a war memorial and one of the small number of trigs that are made from natural stone rather than concrete – plus it is an Ethel, so if you are into hill and trig bagging you get double the ticks on your list!”

This is OS Champion Tracy Purnell’s favourite Trig Point. The trig point sits at the summit of Pumlumon Fawr, the highest peak in the Cambrian Mountains. The 360 view from this point is spectacular. Nant y Moch reservoir lies to the west and views of Eryri mountain range to the north. The source of the River Wye can be found near by to the east and the idyllic Llyn Llygad Rhiedol at the foot of the northern climb to the summit. 

OS Champion Sam Taylor chose Butser Hill Trig Point “this is my favourite because of the feeling of accomplishment I get from reaching it, particularly on a bike. As it’s on the South Downs Way you can cycle the 2km from the bottom of Butser Hill up 149 meters height gain to the trig. It’s taken me quite a few attempts, but now I can cycle the whole way up, no bike pushing required! The further rewards of getting to the top is enjoying the amazing views and then the very fun cycle back down to the café at Queen Elizabeth Country park, where you have certainly earned a slice of cake!”

Lucy Coppack explains why Shutlingslowe Trig is so special to her.

Shutlingslowe at the top of Macclesfield forest is my special trig! My late mum designed the path from Macclesfield forest to the summit of Shutlingslowe, my dad was part of the team that laid the path, flying old gravestones up by helicopter to make the walkway.

3 years ago I set out to complete all 88 Peak District trig points in 88 days, to make it harder I went from the nearest town or village, in some cases was 15 miles! I was doing this challenge to raise money for East Cheshire Hospice where my mum passed away some years ago. I finished the challenge on Shutlingslowe, it felt like this was the only right way to finish this challenge despite having walked to this trig point many times before. 

OS Champion Georgina Jackson has chosen popular Win Hill as her favourite Trig:
I love it because it has great views, feels like a win for a small hill, and in August when the heather surrounds the trig it just looks stunning. Plus, it has a heart on it! What’s not to love?! 

OS Champion Samantha Brown has chosen Calf Top Trig. Little shout out for the smallest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales!(It also has by far the prettiest trig point! ) I believe it’s only recently been reclassified as an actual ‘mountain’ too standing at 610m – before it was measured at just under the requisite height – it’s also why we love it.  It’s like the underdog mountain who fought to prove itself! (I feel like that about a lot of the Yorkshire Dales Peaks!) 

OS Champion Sally Thornton has picked Wild Boar Fell as one of her favourite Trigs. “The best trig for a sheltered brew with a view – on the summit of Wild Boar Fell. Within a stone built shelter and  360° views of the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District and Cumbria.”

OS Champion Brendan Clayton has picked The Old Man of Storr Trig Point. “It has to be one of my favourites even if there’s only half of it left. It’s one of the best views from a trig point for sure! On a clear day you can see along the whole of the Trotternish Ridge, the west coast of the Scottish highlands and the views towards the Cuillin Hills/Mountains over Loch Leathan & Loch Fada are incredible! Such a great spot and if you work it in with a sunrise hike at the Old Man of Storr you are set for one of the best mornings possible in the U.K.”

OS Champion Lisa Wells has picked The Moelwyn Mawr Trig Point. The best trig to plank on! Part of the Moelwynion mountain range, a fabulous hike to it and a much quieter area and summit to explore.

OS Champion Sarah Curran has picked Skiddaw Trig Point. “It holds a special place in my heart. I can see the Skiddaw massif from my living room window and hike to the summit from my front door in less than 2 hours  I am blessed to see the mountain change as the seasons do and having the 4th tallest Wainwright on my doorstep never gets old!”