Spectacular Winning Images of the Mountain Photo of the Year 2022 Competition

A selection of the winning entries and contenders for Trail magazine’s annual photography competition, now in its ninth year.

The winning entry by Anglesey bookkeeper Kat Lawman is an image shot above the clouds at the top of Garnedd Ugain in Eryri (Snowdonia), that shows Jupiter, Saturn and Venus aligning under the watchful gaze of a wild camper. Kat, who also spends her time as a mountain leader and took up photography as a hobby three years ago, said: ‘It was such a truly earth-moving moment I was reduced to tears. The mountains here in Snowdonia are my life, and my escape … This night in December I managed to get the whole Snowdon massif all to myself, there wasn’t another single person around and this photo will always be the most special one to me’. Photograph: Kat Lawman

More: Live for the Outdoors

An unexpected meeting at sunrise on Crib-y-Ddysgl, on Garnedd Ugain, Eryri. Photograph: Tim Smith

Sunrise on Suilven, north-west Highlands. Photograph: Adrian Conchie

The third-place image is also from Snowdonia: a shot showing the Milky Way arching over Llyn Llydaw. Fujifilm ambassador and competition judge Chris Upton said: ‘A fabulous image. So much impact with the arch of the Milky Way and the mist in the background adding an important element to the picture. Technically excellent, perfect exposure, sharp throughout and great composition’. Photograph: Luke Gage

Cliff Hand, with a view towards Assynt and Coigach, Highlands. Photograph: David Hutchings

A wild camper in the Lake District. Photograph: Daniel Halliday

This runner-up image by Padam Gurung captured the beauty, scale and adventure of crossing Striding Edge in the Lake District on a winter day. ‘As I was heading towards Striding Edge in the morning, people were already walking on the ridge. The sun hitting the cliff covered with light atmospheric clouds caused a silhouette of the edge and the people walking on it, so I grabbed my camera and took shots in various compositions’. Photograph: Padam Gurung

Winter in Glen Coe, Highlands. Photograph: Jay Birmingham

Buachaille Etive Mòr waterfalls, Highlands. Photograph: Jay Birmingham

Tryfan sunrise, Snowdonia. Photograph: Paul Williams

Fairfield Horseshoe sunset, Lake District. Photograph: Mat Partington

The sun rises between Sgurr nan Gillean and Knight’s Peak, Black Cuillin, Isle of Skye. Photograph: Adrian Trendall

Stars over Glen Coe, Highlands. Photograph: George Buttery

Sunset at the Fiddler, Highlands. Photograph: Joe Purmal