Crag Hill

The walk up Crag Hill from Cockermouth way isn't what you'd call straightforward, but that's rather the point. This is proper fell walking country - the sort of place where the views reward the effort and the path keeps you honest. At 1,299 metres, it's neither the highest nor the most dramatic peak in the Lake District, but the walk itself is genuinely good, with decent scrambling near the top if you fancy it.

You're looking at a solid three to four hours for the round trip depending on your pace and fitness. The terrain is typical Lakeland - grassland, bog patches, rocky outcrops - nothing technical but it demands respect, especially in poor weather. The view from the summit stretches across the northern fells toward Keswick and beyond, and on a clear day you get a proper sense of the topography that makes this part of Cumbria so compelling.

This works brilliantly if you're camping or caravanning nearby. Whinfell Hall Farm Campsite sits just 4.1 miles away, while Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club and Castlerigg Hall further out give you proper base camps for a few days of fell exploration. Crag Hill pairs naturally with other peaks in the area - you could link it with Grisedale Pike or make it part of a longer horseshoe route if you're ambitious.

Best for experienced walkers and families with older teenagers who can manage a decent hike. Bring the proper kit - weather changes fast up there - and allow longer if there's been recent rain. Free to climb, naturally. Go midweek if you can stomach the weekday drive from Cockermouth.