Brandreth

Brandreth sits quietly at 2,344 feet, the sort of fell that doesn't shout about itself. You won't find crowds here like you do on Catbells or Skiddaw - it's a proper working climb, without the theatre. The summit rewards you with genuinely big views across to the High Street range and down over Buttermere, though the peak itself is modest stone and tussock rather than dramatic rock.

It's best tackled as part of a broader traverse - most walkers string it together with Scafell Pike or the Grasmoor range rather than making it a standalone hike. The approach from Keswick typically takes four to five hours for the round trip depending on your route and fitness, and there's nothing quick about it. Fell walkers with decent navigation skills will get the most out of this one; young kids would probably find it a slog without a summit to match the effort.

Why bother then? Because it's genuine walking country, not a honeypot. You'll have space to think, to move at your own pace without dodging selfie sticks. The terrain is rough in places and the weather can turn quickly, so go prepared. Base yourself at Great Langdale Campsite - only six miles away - and you've got access to some of the Lake District's best walking without the tourist machinery. Brandreth won't be the highlight of your trip, but it'll feel like proper Lakeland.