Bowfell

The walk up Bowfell is properly testing, and you'll know about it by the time you reach the summit. Starting from the Old Dungeon Ghyll car park near Ambleside, the route climbs steeply through Great Langdale before hitting the rocky scramble that defines this fell. Most people allow four to five hours for the round trip, and that's at a decent pace.

What makes it worth the effort is the view. From the 902-metre summit, you're surrounded by the Lake District's best fells - Scafell Pike to the south, the Langdale Pikes closer in, and on a clear day you can see all the way to the coast. The final push involves some proper rock scrambling, which sounds more dramatic than it is, though you do need decent boots and a head for heights.

This isn't a walk for young children or anyone uncomfortable with exposure. But serious hikers, fell runners, and anyone wanting a proper achievement from their day will find it absolutely worthwhile. Go early to avoid crowds on the fell paths, and leave by mid-afternoon if weather looks dodgy - the summit can turn grim quickly.

The proximity to Great Langdale Campsite and Great Langdale Glamping makes this a natural choice if you're basing yourself at a holiday park nearby. Combine it with Langdale's gentler valley walks if you want a mixed itinerary - some days pushing hard, others more leisurely. The whole thing hangs together well.