Six of the best... mountainous properties

Read why a property in the mountains might be for you

Where? Fort William, towered over by Ben Nevis, in the Central Highlands.

Why? At 4,406 feet, Ben Nevis is the UK's highest peak and dominates Fort William, which lies in its shadow, a bustling town with great amenities. The area is rich in Highland culture, and dotted with mountains and lochs for outdoor activities.

What can I get for my money?

£170,000 Traditional house near the centre of Fort William with two bedrooms, fireplace and views of Loch Linnhe.

£370,000 Five-bedroom house in Torlundy village, three miles from the town. It has an open fire and views of Ben Nevis.

£800,000 19th-century house in 49 acres, in Glen Loy, with outbuildings and views over to Ben Nevis. Bidwells (01397 702433; www.bidwells.co.uk).

Where? Tiny villages that sit at the foot of Mount Snowdon in northern Snowdonia.

Why? Snowdonia National Park is bristling with mountains: 15 of which rise above 3,000 feet, and Mount Snowdon itself is 3,560 feet, but the nearby Glyders and Carneddau ranges are equally dramatic. A handful of pretty villages lie within the national park, including Beddgelert, which has good cafés, restaurants and shops.

What can I get for my money?

£250,000 Three-bedroom cottage near Porthmadog, with an open fireplace and great views. Dafydd Hardy (01758 614999; www.dafyddhardy.co.uk).

£480,000 19th-century stone vicarage, near Betws-y-Coed, with four bedrooms, cellar, office and separate timber bungalow; in one acre of land.

£750,000 Eight-bedroom house in the hamlet of Salem at Betws Garmon. Set in 11.5 acres, with exposed stone walls and a self-contained apartment.

Where? Upper Ribblesdale, Yorkshire, near the Pennines' highest summits.

Why? The spectacular Dales countryside contains the peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside - three of the Pennines' highest. Horton-in-Ribblesdale, on the Settle-Carlisle railway, is the base for climbers, while Selside, Stainforth and Austwick are nearby; Settle is six miles south.

What can I get for my money?

£230,000 Beamed railway cottage in Selside with two bedrooms, cast-iron fireplace, annexe and mountain views.

£350,000 Four-bedroom barn conversion adjoining open countryside at the edge of Settle with original stone-arch entrance.

£500,000 Grade II-listed, five-bedroom, house in Horton with games room, attic and outbuilding, inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Dacre, Son & Hartley (01729 823921; www.dacres.co.uk).

Where? Skye, dominated by the crests of the Cuillins.

Why? The major summits of the Cuillin range are formed of dark gabbro rock, giving them a dramatic appearance as they tower over Skye. Climb Bruach na Frithe for views across to mainland Scotland and enjoy the island's varied landscape, rich history and vibrant Gaelic culture. Portree, the largest settlement, has good amenities.

What can I get for my money?

£190,000 Three-bedroom detached house in the village of Staffin, set in almost two acres with workshop and greenhouse.

£300,000 Former schoolhouse in Kendram with three bedrooms, open fireplaces, and mountain and sea views. Strutt & Parker (0141 225 3880; www.struttandparker.com).

£530,000 Former manse with nine bedrooms, walled garden and three acres of land, set on the coast in the town of Dunvegan to the northwest.

Where? The southern Lakeland fells, Cumbria.

Why? The volcanic peaks of the fells are Lakeland's roughest, and grandest, and include Scafell Pike (England's highest), Sca Fell, Great End and Bowfell. Tiny settlements pepper this region, with larger Coniston to the southeast, and Ambleside and Grasmere to the east.

What can I get for my money?

£310,000 Three-bedroom farmhouse south of Coniston Water, with large garden, paddock and far-reaching views.

£540,000 Former 19th-century coach house near Bowness, with oak flooring, large gardens and views of Lake Windermere.

£930,000 Luxurious two bedroom portion of this rural retreat, above Grasmere, with library area, pantry and views over the fells. Carter Jonas (01539 722592; www.carterjonas.co.uk).

Where? The northern edge of the Brecon Beacons, Powys.

Why? The Brecon Beacons range is the central massif in a quartet of upland ranges that confusingly include the Black Mountains to the east and the less visited Black Mountain to the west, and it also offers the big peaks of Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Cribyn. Brecon, a busy town with a twice-weekly market, quality food shops and an annual jazz festival, lies to the north, while smaller villages are sprinkled across the northern boundaries of the national park.

What can I get for my money?

£280,000 A three-bedroom barn conversion with exposed stone walls and beams, on a small farmyard development in the village of Scethrog with views of the beautiful Beacons.

£560,000 Detached period cottage and smallholding in the village of Trefeitha with four bedrooms, stabling and nine acres of paddocks surrounded by mountain scenery.

£850,000 Grade II-listed farmhouse with five bedrooms, outbuildings, orchard and two acres of land, in Llanfrynach, within the national park. Knight Frank (01432 273087; www.knightfrank.com).

All prices were right at the time of publication.

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