Dow Crag

The scramble up Dow Crag isn't for the faint-hearted, and that's rather the point. This craggy fell sits above Dunnerdale in the western Lake District - proper dramatic stuff once you get going. The rock underfoot is loose in places, and the final push to the summit involves genuine scrambling, which separates the casual walkers from those willing to get their hands dirty.

The views from the top are something else though. You're looking out across the Dunnerdale Valley towards the higher peaks beyond, and on a clear day the perspective shifts something in your brain about how the landscape fits together. Most people tackling this aren't after a gentle stroll - they're hillwalkers who know what they're after, and families with older kids who fancy a proper adventure rather than a well-trodden path.

Allow a good two to three hours for the round trip depending on fitness. There's no admission fee - just pull off on the roadside and begin the walk up. Winter can make the scrambling section genuinely tricky, so autumn and late spring are your best bets. The nearest town is Kirkby Stephen, though you're really in proper fell country here.

If you're based at Gillcumber Glamping Pods just down the way, this is an excellent half-day outing to add grit to your Lake District break. It's not the flashiest peak, but it's honest work with a proper reward at the top.