Buck Pike

The walk up Buck Pike from Ambleside isn't long, but it's steep enough to earn your views. You're looking at around two hours return if you're reasonably fit, less if you're a fell runner. The summit sits at just over 700 metres, which means you get proper Lake District vistas without needing a dawn start or full mountaineering kit.

What makes it worthwhile is the walk itself. The route climbs through woodland before opening out onto moorland, and the final push to the top is rocky but manageable. On a clear day, you can see across to the Langdale Pikes and down towards the lakes themselves. It's not the most dramatic peak in the Lakes, but it's busy enough to feel like you've accomplished something without being so popular that you're queuing for selfies.

Best for hill walkers who want something more substantial than a lakeside stroll but aren't ready to tackle the big boys. Families with older kids will manage it fine if you start early and don't mind a rest halfway up. Summer's the obvious choice, though it's passable year-round if conditions aren't dire.

If you're based at Great Langdale Campsite or BaysBrown Farm Campsite, you're perfectly placed. Both are within six miles, making this an easy morning or afternoon jaunt from your pitch. Park your car in Ambleside and head out from there - the town's proper geared up for walkers, with cafes and pubs to collapse into afterwards.