Aughertree Fell

The walk up Aughertree Fell from Keswick takes you straight into proper fell country without the crowds you'd hit on Skiddaw or Catbells. It's a sharp climb - the first bit especially demands respect - but the summit rewards you with views across the whole northern Lake District spread out below. On a clear day you can pick out Derwent Water glinting to the south and the Helvellyn range holding the horizon.

This isn't a casual stroll. Budget two to three hours for a round trip, depending on fitness. The path is well-trodden but boggy in places, so proper boots matter. Families with young kids might find it a slog, but teenagers who've done a bit of walking will relish it. Fell runners use it regularly, so if you're after solitude you'll want a weekday. The fell itself is moorland and grass - no trees to shelter under if the weather turns, which it can rapidly up here.

You're free to roam once you're off the road, and there's parking near the Orthwaite area. If you're based at Kestrel Lodge Campsite or Wallace Lane Farm just outside Keswick, this is practically on your doorstep. Combine it with a spin round Derwent Water or a proper Lake District day if the weather's kind. It's the sort of walk that reminds you why people move to Cumbria.