Summiting a mountain needn’t be a multi-day wild 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 thing you’ll need on these hikes is a pair of good walking shoes, plenty of food and water and an infallible sense of determination.

Get the train into Edinburgh and you’ll weave around the rocky base of Arthur’s Seat – Scotland’s most Marilyn (a British hill over 500 feet/150m). 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, taking no more than two hours uphill – and much less on the way down. 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 lochs.

This 12,355 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 Subaru Fifth bus station. Climbing season runs from July to September, and if you’re tough enough to climb the 11.6-mile (18.7km) 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 reverently 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.

Towering over Yosemite National Park, Half Dome is a sheer slab of granite rising nearly 5,000 feet (1,500m) over the wooded Yosemite Valley – and more than 8,800 feet (2,694m) above sea level. The arduous hike up to the summit and back is 17 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 a harness or go with an experienced guide.

The highest mountain in Morocco’s Anti-Atlas region at 7,740 feet (2,359m), Jebel el Kest is a not-too-tricky scramble, but finding the untrodden path to the summit can be difficult without a knowledgeable local guide. People commonly 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 is a local pilgrimage site, so there are a couple of shelters to rest up in. 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 (2,106m) above sea level, Hvannadalshnúkur is Iceland’s highest point. It’s part of an active volcano 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 active volcano in Europe.

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

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 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 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 can walk 11 miles (17.7km) to the top 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 on the sunnier side 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 just under two miles (3km), they do tend to be rather steep. Opt for a more leisurely full-day route, which is still only three miles (4.8km), 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 Cable Car. 

Check out the world's most beautiful remote mountain cabins

When holidaying at Lake Lugano, 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, a looped trek up this verdant mountainside from the sleepy village of Dasio will take approximately five hours, and you’ll cover a distance of 4.7 miles (7.5km) and ascend to the peak at 4,704 feet (1,434m).

Beginning from the village of Dasio, you’ll pass through remote farms, then dense forests of pine and birch and maybe even spot a waterfall or two. When you reach the top, the views of Lake Lugano are enough to take your breath away. On your way down to the lakefront for an evening spritz to cool off, stop in the car-free village of Castello to breathe in the quiet and fresh air.

Spain’s Mulhacén, the giant of the Sierra Nevada range, is the highest mountain in Western Europe outside the Alps. At 11,413 feet (3,479m), 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 to in the summer, the 7.5-mile (12km) 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.

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 11.6mile (18.7km) hike. To avoid snow, go in December through to March.

The Thredbo route will carry you above Lake Cootapatamba, Australia’s highest lake, and you can hitch a ride in the cable car if your feet are tired. 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 60 feet (18m) shorter than the one you’re standing on.

Hiking this 14,114-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, and it’s recommended to start out as early as 4AM. The good news is, there’s a camp halfway up 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 great American wilderness on the way up, so hear the sounds of twittering birds and eagles cawing above. Above the tree line, scenery becomes craggy yet particularly striking at Devil’s Playground. Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views of the Rockies from the brand new visitor centre up top and treat yourself to a doughnut.

These are America's most beautiful mountains

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 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 Loher Poten stands out from its surroundings. Every July, 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 May to August 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 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. 

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