Summiting a mountain needn’t be a multi-day camping adventure or even require special equipment. There are plenty of mountains, mounts and hills that you can conquer in under 24 hours, gaining a monumental sense of achievement without losing a night in your own bed. The only things you’ll need on these hikes are a pair of good walking shoes, plenty of food and water and an infallible sense of determination. 

Read on to discover some amazing mountains you can climb in one day...

Get the train into Edinburgh Waverley and you’ll soon weave around the rocky base of Arthur’s Seat – Scotland’s most famous Marilyn (a British hill that rises over 500 feet/150m over anything else in the area). Jutting almost 825 feet (251m) above the Firth of Forth, this city centre climb is a beginner’s best bet: there are three different routes that will take you to the summit, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for a return trip. You can go any time of year, so long as it’s not icy or overly windy.

No matter which route you take, you’ll find something amazing to look at while you get your heart rate up. The views over Edinburgh from the steep Salisbury Crags are unparalleled, and as you ascend, they only get more spectacular. On your way down, catch your breath at the ruined St. Anthony’s Chapel or munch on a sandwich at one of Holyrood Park’s many little lochs.

This 12,388 feet (3,766m) monolith stands about 60 miles (97km) away from Tokyo. It’s possible to scale in as little as eight hours (return), if you set out from the Fuji-Subaru Line Fifth bus station. Climbing season runs from mid-July to early September, and if you’re tough enough to climb the beginner-friendly Yoshida Trail through the night, you’ll be rewarded with a special sunrise at the summit of Japan’s highest mountain. 

Fuji-san, as it is commonly known in Japanese, is integral to Japanese identity. Climbing its rocky slopes will allow you to learn more about the country’s culture. Look out for the torii gate on the mountaintop, which marks the entrance to sacred ground: Fuji, after all, is revered in the Shinto faith.

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Towering over Yosemite National Park, Half Dome is a sheer slab of granite rising 4,737 feet (1,443m) over the wooded Yosemite Valley – and more than 8,844 feet (2,695m) above sea level. The arduous hike up to the summit and back is about 16 miles (27km) and will take the average hiker around 12 hours to complete.

Treating you to jaw-dropping panoramas over the heart of the American West, climbing Half Dome is an adventure you won’t forget. It’s not for the faint of heart, though, as the ascent is strenuous. The defining feature of this climb are the iron cables (via ferrata) towards the summit, which allow you to reach the top without rock climbing expertise. Just remember to bring gloves, and go with an experienced guide if you need extra reassurance.

One of the highest mountains in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas region at 7,740 feet (2,359m), Jebel el Kest is a not-too-tricky scramble, but finding the little-trodden path to the summit can be difficult without a knowledgeable local guide. People typically start from the village of Tagdicht, where the return climb is about five miles (8km). Go in the cooler months, March to April and October to November.

Staying in this rural part of Morocco offers you a chance to immerse yourself in Berber culture, dance and delicious food. Plus, the summit of Jebel el Kest was once home to a religious hermit, and you can use his cave to stop for a flask of mint tea. Would-be geologists will find the amethyst quartzite mountain fascinating, while nature lovers will enjoy being among the argan trees and daffodils found on the slopes.

At nearly 7,000 feet (2,133m) above sea level, Hvannadalshnúkur is Iceland’s highest point. It’s part of an active volcano complex and sits high above the Vatnajökull glacier, the largest in Iceland. Two main routes take trekkers to the summit, each taking about 12-14 hours, and beginners are strongly advised to go in the summer with an experienced guide.

Your guide will help you dodge the perils of slippery crevasses as you make your way to the top. From here, you can admire the icy views over Vatnajökull (which has featured in not one, but two James Bond films), the south coast of Iceland, plus peer at the Öræfajökull volcano – the second largest volcano in Europe.

Snowdon is a rookie mountaineer’s paradise. Low enough to avoid altitude sickness, but high enough to be breathtaking, this Welsh monolith is the perfect first climb, reaching an elevation of 3,560 feet (1,085m). There are six routes to choose from, ranging from seven to nine miles (11-14.5km), around a seven-hour round trip. Clouds can blow over the summit quickly, though, so it’s best scaled on clear days from late April to early September.

You’ll want to climb for bragging rights alone, having ascended the highest peak in England and Wales. A walk along the ridge will take you past serene mountain llyns (lakes) and the summit has a trig point that tells you how far you are from other British landmarks. Feeling tired? Ride the stunning Snowdon Mountain Railway all the way down.

Hungary’s highest point, Kékes, stands 3,326 feet (1,014m) tall. As it’s only 62 miles (100km) outside Budapest, the mountain can be conquered on a day trip, and you’ll be back in the capital for a hearty goulash dinner. Committed walkers and cyclists can ascend 11 miles (17.7km) to the peak from the nearby town of Gyöngyös – or cheat and slash the distance to just a few footsteps by driving to the very top.

However, when you get to the top of Kékes, you can add another 577 feet (176m) to your altitude by riding the lift to the top of the Soviet-era TV tower. Catch your breath and stop for a snack and a glass of local wine – produced south of Kékes – in the bar. If you come in winter, you can even ski down the mountain.

This flat-topped mountain has graced many a Cape Town postcard. The peak is at a lofty 3,563 feet (1,086m) and there are numerous trails to the top. Pick between half-day and full-day hikes, but be aware that although the half-day hikes can be as short as two miles (3km), they tend to be rather steep. Opt for a more leisurely full-day route, which is still only three miles (4.8km), and incorporates plenty of stops to savour the finest views.

Pass through the jungle-esque Skeleton Gorge on your way up the mountain. Or take the more challenging Kasteelspoort route along the jagged Twelve Apostles cliffs, and you’ll be rewarded with a seemingly death-defying photo opportunity at the Diving Board rock formation. Want a lift down? Take the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. 

When holidaying in the Italian lakes, you’ll be surrounded by mountains, but Monte Bronzone is the one beginners should tackle. Best surmounted in springtime or autumn, to avoid the worst of the heat, an out-and-back trek up this verdant mountainside from the sleepy village of Sarnico will take approximately six to seven hours, and you’ll cover a distance of 10.7 miles (17.2km) and ascend to the peak at 4,377 feet (1,334m).

Beginning from the lakeside village of Sarnico, you’ll pass through remote farms, then dense forests of pine and birch and maybe even spot a mountain chapel or two. When you reach the top, the views of Lake Iseo are enough to take your breath away. Mission accomplished, make your way down to the lakefront for an evening spritz to cool off.

Spain’s Mulhacén, the giant of the Sierra Nevada range, is the highest mountain in peninsular Spain. At 11,421 feet (3,481m), it makes for a long trek, but it can be tackled in a day. If you start from the Mirador de Trevélez, where a shuttle bus will take you in the summer, the seven-mile (11.5km) hike will take about six hours.

The terrain is rocky and barren all the way up, as there’s no water on the mountain after the snow melts. However, you will likely see herds of death-defying Spanish ibex, who will sniff around for a snack as you sit on the summit. You’ll also be treated to sweeping views over the Mediterranean and the Andalucían city of Granada in the valley below.

Check out the world's most beautiful remote mountain cabins

Australia’s highest point, situated between Melbourne and Sydney, is no small peak at 7,310 feet (2,288m) high. There are two main routes you can take to the summit: start at Thredbo ski resort for an eight-mile (13 km) jaunt or from Charlotte Pass for a longer 11.6-mile (18.6km) hike. To avoid snow, go in December through to March.

The Thredbo route will carry you above Lake Cootapatamba, Australia’s highest lake. Opt for the Charlotte Pass route and your exertions will be rewarded with alpine wildflowers aplenty. Easy-breezy boardwalks and paved paths take you to the very top, where you can gaze at neighbouring Mount Townsend – only a few metres shorter than the one you’re standing on.

Hiking this 14,115-foot (4,302m) Colorado mountain makes for one very long summer day, but it’s worth it. The most popular trail, the 13-mile (21km) – one way – Barr Trail, can take between six to 10 hours, so it’s recommended to start out as early as 4AM. The good news is, there’s a camp halfway up where you can stop for a break, and a shuttle bus to whisk you back down the mountain.

The majestic mountain pokes above dense forest and commands Colorado’s impressive natural surroundings. The Barr Trail will give you a taste of the great American wilderness on the way up, so listen to the sounds of twittering birds and eagles cawing. Above the tree line, scenery becomes craggy yet particularly striking at Devil’s Playground. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of the Rockies from the visitor centre up top and treat yourself to a doughnut.

Climbing this 7,641 feet (2,329m) volcano on the tropical Indonesian island of Java is an achievement you’ll want to write home about, but the trek is short and relatively easy. From the village of Cemoro Lawang, it’s only a 45-minute to one-hour walk, but there are some steep steps to be reckoned with. Dry season is April to October, so ascend then to avoid the monsoon.

You’ll begin by traversing a plateau named the Sea of Sand, where the Hindu temple Pura Luher Poten stands out from its surroundings. Every July, the area's Indigenous Tenggerese people make a pilgrimage from this temple to the top of Mount Bromo in a ritual known as Kesodo. Once they arrive, prayers are held at the summit and offerings are thrown into the daunting crater.

With bands of beautifully coloured rock, you can see why this 17,060-foot (5,200m) Peruvian monolith is also known as Rainbow Mountain. It’s a popular dry season day trip from the city of Cusco, and if you start your trek from the village Qesoyuno, it’s three hours each way. However, the elevation gain is harsh and you may need to acclimatise to altitude sickness for a few days in lively Cusco first.

You’ll see a number of South American icons on your way up: look out for llamas and alpacas roaming free. When you reach the summit, you’ll want to take endless selfies with the brilliant burst of colour behind you. But look up from your screen to see other mountains in the Vilcanota range, as well as a high-altitude glacier known as Cusco Ausangate. 

Overlooking the blue depths of Lake Constance, the 3,490-foot (1,064m) Pfänder mountain in Austria can be accessed by cable car – but that would be too easy. From the town of Bregenz, it's a fairly easy 4.4-mile (7km) walk up to the summit, stopping at the mountain's Alpine Wildlife Park to greet the mouflon goats and groundhogs. If you still have energy, pick up a map of all Pfänder's trails there: walks through this Alpine landscape last as little as 30 minutes, but for something completely different, set out on the five-mile (8km) Josef Rupp Cheese Hiking Trail.

Tracing the Pfänder ridge, this dairy-themed trail runs through meadows, farmland and woodlands. It’s named for Josef Rupp, the founder of a dynasty of local cheesemakers producing savoury, fruity Vorarlberg cheese. A total of 15 signs along the route explain the farm-to-fork process, with plenty of rest stops and local shops offering the chance to try Vorarlberg from a variety of producers.

The best hikes in Austria begin and end with a gasthaus (inn), and Preber is no exception. One of the highest peaks in the region with an elevation of 8,990 feet (2,740m), a five-mile (8km) out-and-back Preber trail leads from the Ludlalm al Prebersee gasthaus, where you can fortify yourself with a charcuterie board by the shores of a still lake before beginning your ascent. 

The ascent can be performed in summer or winter, depending on whether you prefer wandering through snow-covered slopes or verdant Alpine forests. A gravel path winds its way between cosy cabins and cow-filled fields, before open terrain takes over and you’re surrounded by gushing streams on all sides. At the summit, there’s a cross to pause at before heading back to the Prebersee for a heartier meal – and maybe a local beer.

Germany’s highest mountain stands majestic over the landscape at 9,718 feet (2,962m) above sea level – and thanks to Germany’s efficient public transport, you can easily reach the base point of this hike without a car. Simply take the train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen station, then don your best walking boots for the 15-mile (24km) one-way Reintal route.

You’ll first tread through the narrow Partnach gorge en route to the Reintal Valley. The Reintal route is one of the few paths that doesn’t require mountaineering skills, but towards the summit, there are via ferratas that’ll have you clinging to the rock face. The views from the ‘top of Germany’ are more than worthwhile, but plan to take the cable car all the way back down to Eibsee lake, where you can take a bus back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Though Germany’s Swabian Alps – on the border with France – may not be as lofty as their Bavarian counterparts, they offer beauty of a different sort. The 3,330-foot (1,015m) Lemberg mountain comprises craggy limestone formations in different shades, swathes of pine forest and even a radio tower at the top, built in 1899 and adding 112 feet (34m) to Lemberg’s height. If you visit on a clear day, you can see across the Black Forest from the top of the tower.

A loop to, then around, the summit from the car park at Gosheim village takes around six-and-a-half hours to complete. At one point during the walk, helpful boards map out the foundations of Oberhohenberg Castle, a fortress which was destroyed around the 15th century. You may not be able to walk over the drawbridge anymore, but a suspension bridge over the former moat is almost as fun.

Did you know Switzerland has its very own version of the Dolomites? And, better still, that a circuit of these majestic mountains can be completed in just a single day? If you’d like to see the jagged peaks for yourself, set out on the 6.8-mile (11km) Gastlosen loop, which takes up to five hours. You’ll begin by riding the chairlift up from Jaun to the Musersbergli chalet, where grabbing a homemade rösti or a plate of local sausage is never a bad idea.

If that doesn’t fill you up, don’t worry: the next stop along the trail is the Chalet du Soldat, an inn originally constructed as a training centre for a local regiment of the Swiss army in 1945. Shortly after the Chalet is the pinnacle of the hike, involving a short scramble to Wolfsort, a ridge between two mountains. The panoramas of sheer rock faces meeting rolling hills might just take your breath away – if the ascent hasn’t already.

Close to the Swiss-Italian border is one peak that (literally) stands out from the rest: Monte Tamaro. It's a little isolated, but you can take a cable car up, then embark on an eight-mile (13km), high-altitude hike along the ridge between Monte Tamaro and Monte Lema. It takes around five hours and offers some of Switzerland’s finest views: one place to start is at the striking Chiesa Santa Maria degli Angeli, a church designed in the 1990s by renowned local architect Mario Botta and built using an unusual type of purple-red granite. 

Soon after stepping off the cable car, you’ll reach the summit of Monte Tamaro, looking out over Lake Maggiore. You could turn around now, but carry on to Monte Lema and you’ll be rewarded with a selection of prime picnic spots and an inquisitive population of mountain goats. Spend a little time soaking up the grassy and windswept scenery, but be sure to book your Monte Lema cable car back down the mountain in advance, as you’ll beat the queue.

Now take a look at the world's most beautiful mountains