Birkett Hill

The walk up Birkett Hill from Kirkby Stephen is straightforward enough, but the views from the top make it well worth the effort. You're looking out across the Pennines here, with proper fell country rolling away in every direction. It's not a massive summit - only 475 metres - but it punches above its weight for sightlines.

The route itself starts gentle. You climb through open moorland, and if the weather's playing along, visibility stretches for miles. On a murky day it's frankly a bit dull, so timing matters. The actual summit is marked and clear, with nothing pretentious about it - just a good vantage point where you can see why walkers keep coming back.

This is proper hiking territory for anyone with reasonable fitness. An hour up, forty minutes down if you're not dawdling. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though the very young might find it a slog. History buffs won't find much to chew on here - it's about the landscape, not the stories.

If you're staying at Gillcumber Glamping Pods nearby, this becomes an obvious half-day outing. Free to do, no facilities at the top so bring water. Go in decent weather. The Kirkby Stephen area has plenty of other walks, so you can use this as part of a proper hiking week rather than a one-off. Early morning means you'll likely have it to yourself.